Southern Colleges Reinstating SAT/ACT Requirements – Key Data & Expert Tips
Southern Flagship Universities Are Bringing Back SAT/ACT Requirements: What Families Need to Know
By Ryan Clark, College Admissions & Affordability Advisor
The test-optional wave that swept through college admissions during the pandemic is starting to ebb—especially in the South.
This fall, Auburn University announced that it will once again require standardized test scores for admission, joining a growing list of flagship universities across the region that are moving back to SAT/ACT mandates.
If your teen is eyeing Auburn—or any of the South’s major public universities—now is the time to plan a testing strategy.
Auburn Leads the Latest Shift
Auburn University, which temporarily went test-optional during COVID, is phasing back to full test requirements:
Fall 2026 applicants – SAT or ACT scores are strongly encouraged. Only a tiny number of students with exceptional academic records (roughly a 3.6+ GPA) may be considered without scores.
Fall 2027 applicants and beyond – SAT or ACT results will be mandatory for every applicant.
Auburn’s move isn’t a surprise. Even under test-optional policies, the majority of its admitted students were still submitting scores, and those scores often played a major role in scholarship and honors program decisions.
Other Southern Flagships Already Require Tests
Auburn isn’t alone. Several prominent southern public universities now require standardized test scores for freshman admission:
University State Current Policy
University of Georgia (UGA) Georgia SAT/ACT required for all applicants.
Georgia Tech Georgia SAT/ACT required.
University of Florida (UF) Florida SAT/ACT (or CLT) required.
Florida State University (FSU) Florida SAT/ACT required.
University of South Florida (USF) Florida SAT/ACT required.
University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) Texas SAT/ACT required beginning with Fall 2025 applicants.
Always double-check each school’s admissions site for the latest details—policies can change quickly.
Why the Return to Testing?
Several factors are driving this reversal:
Predictive Value – Many admission offices still find SAT and ACT scores helpful in predicting first-year college success.
National Rankings – Standardized testing data can influence rankings, and universities want to remain competitive.
Scholarship and Honors Considerations – Test scores remain a key metric for awarding merit aid and for honors college placement.
Check Last Year’s Submission Rates (for Test-Optional Schools)
Not every competitive university has reinstated testing—many elite private colleges remain officially test-optional.
Before deciding whether to send scores to those schools, families should research how many admitted students actually submitted SAT or ACT results the previous year.
Why it matters:
If most admitted students submitted scores, strong results can give your teen a clear advantage.
If only a small percentage submitted, a student with excellent grades and activities may feel confident applying without them.
You can find these statistics in a school’s Common Data Set (Section C9), annual admission reports, or blog posts.
For example, Vanderbilt remains test-optional through 2027, yet a large majority of admitted students still chose to submit test scores—an important signal for applicants.
Recent Test-Submission Rates for Key Carolinas Schools
For families in North and South Carolina, here’s a snapshot from the most recent Common Data Sets and official sources.
These percentages reflect enrolled first-year students who submitted test scores, giving a sense of how “optional” testing really was for the latest entering classes:
University % Submitted SAT % Submitted ACT Source
UNC–Chapel Hill 29% 34% Common Data Set 2023-24
NC State University ≈25% ≈41% Common Data Set 2024-25
Clemson University ≈39% ≈21% Univ Stats 2024 Admission
University of South Carolina’s most recent CDS has not yet published comparable percentages.
These numbers reveal that even when a school is officially test-optional, a majority of enrolled students often still submit scores.
What Families Should Do Now
If your student is considering Auburn or other southern flagships, start planning early:
Create a Testing Timeline – Juniors should aim to take the SAT or ACT in the spring and, if needed, retest in the summer or early fall of senior year.
Invest in Prep – Whether through self-study, tutoring, or classes, focused preparation pays off in admissions and scholarship dollars.
Track Each School’s Requirements – Maintain a checklist of deadlines and testing policies to avoid last-minute surprises.
Consider Financial Aid Impact – Strong scores can unlock significant merit aid, reducing overall college costs.
Final Thoughts
The return of testing at Auburn and other southern universities is a clear signal: the “test-optional” era is narrowing, especially at flagship public institutions.
Students in the high school classes of 2026 and 2027 should make standardized testing part of their admissions plan now—both for admission and for scholarship opportunities.
If you’d like personalized guidance on building a testing and application strategy that saves time, stress, and money, schedule a free consultation here. Together, we’ll create a plan that fits your student’s goals and your family’s budget.
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