Vanderbilt to reinstate standardized testing requirement for fall 2029 applicants

Vanderbilt will return to a policy requiring Standardized Test scores for students applying for undergraduate admission to the class entering in Fall 2029.

This update follows a comprehensive review of our Test-Optional policy, which was implemented in 2020 to support students applying for Fall 2021 and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our review found that Standardized Testing, when considered as part of our Holistic Admissions Process alongside a student’s academic record and other components of their application, provides valuable information that can help identify students who are best positioned to thrive at Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt remains committed to a Holistic, Context-based Application Review that considers all aspects of a student’s application.

Standardized Test scores, when considered as one component of a comprehensive application review, are useful predictors of collegiate academic success.

In order to provide ample time for students and families to prepare for this change, our return to required testing will take effect for students applying for undergraduate admission for Fall 2029.

The current Test-Optional policy will remain in place for students applying for undergraduate admission in Fall 2027 or Fall 2028.

July 23, 2026

Official Sourcehttps://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/vandybloggers/2026/07/vanderbilt-to-reinstate-standardized-testing-requirement-for-fall-2029-applicants/

Source: Vanderbilt Undergraduate Admissions