Is an SAT score necessary for all colleges?

Hey, rising senior here. I've been thinking about the college process and I was wondering if all colleges require an SAT score to be admitted? Do schools differ in their testing requirements?

The requirements for standardized testing can vary greatly from one college to another, and it's definitely not a one-size-fits-all answer. Some schools are "test-optional" or "test-flexible", meaning that they allow students to decide whether or not they want to submit their SAT or ACT scores. With test-optional, you can choose not to send any standardized test scores at all, while test-flexible schools will allow you submit other standardized test scores (like AP or IB exams) in lieu of the SAT or ACT.

For the 2024-2025 application cycle, a number of highly selective schools have maintained their test-optional policies, including Columbia University, Princeton University, Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, and the University of Chicago. However, other schools including Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Purdue University, Brown University, Yale University, The University of Texas at Austin, and California Institute of Technology have reverted back to requiring standardized test scores for their admissions process.

Moreover, institutions like UC and Cal State systems are currently test-blind for admissions. This means that they do not consider SAT or ACT scores at all, even if you submit them.

Always verify the testing requirements of the specific colleges you're considering, as some may require SAT or ACT scores while others do not. Information on testing policies can typically be found on the college's admissions website.