Dartmouth College Reinstates SAT/ACT Requirements for Admissions

Dartmouth College, a prestigious Ivy League university, has announced its decision to reintroduce SAT or ACT score submissions as a mandatory component of its admissions process. This move follows a comprehensive study commissioned by the New Hampshire-based institution, which involved several faculty members evaluating the relevance of standardized test scores in the admissions decision-making process.

The research findings indicated that SAT and ACT scores demonstrated a predictive correlation with high academic achievement at Dartmouth. Additionally, the study highlighted that these scores could enhance the admission prospects of less-advantaged students. The researchers concluded that the use of SAT and ACT scores is an essential method for the Admissions department to identify applicants likely to succeed at Dartmouth.

In their report, the researchers stated, "Our overall conclusion is that the use of SAT and ACT scores is an essential method by which Admissions can identify applicants who will succeed at Dartmouth." Furthermore, they emphasized that these standardized test scores offer Admissions a valuable tool to identify high-achieving, less-advantaged applicants and those from high schools where Dartmouth has limited information to interpret transcripts.

Dartmouth had temporarily made the submission of SAT or ACT scores optional in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. With this recent decision, Dartmouth becomes the first Ivy League institution to reinstate standardized testing requirements. The change will be effective for applicants to the class of 2029, marking the beginning of Dartmouth's next admissions cycle.