Testing enters a clearer, more complicated era. The testing landscape continues to evolve, even as its direction becomes clearer. More colleges are restoring standardized testing requirements or placing renewed emphasis…
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Compass is tracking the developments to University of California testing policy as UC faculty push for a reinstatement of ACT/SAT requirements to address student underpreparedness. Any ultimate decision to reinstate…
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Amid wide-scale test cancellations in 2020, most colleges in the U.S. chose to go test optional during the initial wave of COVID-19. Although some schools announced that the policy change would…
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Last Updated: July 1, 2026 Compass has compiled the most recently available score range data and admission testing policies for popular colleges and universities, public and private, chosen to represent…
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In 2025, the classic ACT test was shortened and redesigned. The science test is now optional, and the remaining three subjects (English, reading, math) make up the “enhanced ACT.” All…
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Important Context: ACT Science and Self-Reporting With ACT science now an optional section, score reporting mechanics have become more complex. Self-reporting scores has long been a free and convenient option. The policy…
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The momentum to reinstate standardized testing requirements has only accelerated this year, with an expanding roster of prominent institutions signaling a fresh emphasis on test scores. The growing list of…
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Superscoring Many in college admission talk about reading applications holistically and supportively; one way they can do this is by “superscoring” standardized tests. This means that if you take the…
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Is Yale test optional? While (another) Ivy League test-requirement decision directly pertains to a relatively small pool of ultra-high achievers, understanding the rationale of these policy shifts helps all college-bound…
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As expected, Dartmouth announced this week that it will reactivate its standardized testing requirement beginning with the high school graduating class of 2025. Yale will likely follow suit shortly. 11th…
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