Johns Hopkins reinstates SAT/ACT requirement for 2025-26 admissions

Johns Hopkins University has decided to reinstate the requirement for SAT or ACT scores for the 2025-26 admissions cycle, following a review of academic research and its own experiences with test-optional admissions over the past three years. The university concluded that standardized test scores are a valuable metric for predicting a student's academic success when considered alongside other factors in a holistic admissions process. This decision aligns with a broader trend among selective universities, including Stanford, Harvard, Brown, and Dartmouth, which have also reinstated testing requirements. These institutions are responding to compelling data indicating that standardized tests may be more effective than high school GPA in forecasting undergraduate performance. The shift back to requiring standardized tests comes as many selective schools face record-high application volumes and low acceptance rates. Experts suggest that the reinstatement of testing requirements may lead to a slight decline in applications, as some students may choose to apply to test-optional institutions instead. However, this decline is expected to be minimal, potentially under 5%, and will not significantly impact the enrollment of these prestigious universities. The decision reflects a growing consensus among higher education institutions about the importance of standardized testing in the admissions process. As universities strive to balance accessibility with the need for effective assessment metrics, the reinstatement of testing requirements may help them manage the increasing pressures on admissions offices. Overall, the trend indicates a potential shift back towards traditional admissions practices, as selective schools reassess their policies in light of recent data and experiences with test-optional admissions.