Indian Students in 2025: How to Tackle SAT for Princeton and MIT While Targeting Test-Optional Columbia [CLBS Guide]

Over the last few months, the U.S. admissions landscape has shifted dramatically. After years of test-optional policies, top universities are swinging back toward standardised testing.

Princeton University has officially announced that SAT scores will once again be mandatory from Fall 2027.

MIT did this earlier. Yale, Dartmouth, Brown, and others have already followed.

This leaves Columbia University as the only Ivy League school still fully test-optional — but even there, strong test scores still give applicants a clear advantage.

For Indian students, this isn’t just global news. This is strategy-changing.

Let’s break it down — and show how CLBS students are already adapting and succeeding.

Why Princeton & MIT Returned to SAT/ACT Requirements

1. Their own internal data proved scores predict success
During the test-optional years, Princeton tracked performance. Students who submitted SAT/ACT scores performed significantly better than those who didn’t.

2. Scores help compare students across very different school systems
India alone has CBSE, ICSE, IB, Cambridge, and 25+ state boards.
Standardized scores help level the comparison field.

3. Application volumes exploded — scores help filter
Test-optional policies led to an unnatural surge in applications. SAT/ACT helps restore balance.

Why Columbia Is Still Test-Optional

Columbia believes its holistic review model is strong enough without mandatory testing.
But here’s the truth:

Test-optional ≠ test-blind.

Students WITH high scores still get a clear edge.

Even at Columbia, our CLBS students with 1450+ scores consistently perform stronger in admissions outcomes than those without scores.

What This Means for Indian Students (2025–2028 Admissions)

1. SAT/ACT is back to being a core requirement
If you want Princeton, MIT, Stanford, UPenn, Duke, NYU, Michigan — SAT is practically non-negotiable.

2. India is a hyper-competitive pool
Strong SAT scores (1450–1550) help you cut through.

3. You MUST start early
Class 10–11 is ideal.
Last-minute Class 12 prep is stressful and risky.

4. Test scores = scholarship power
Most merit-based scholarships still look at SAT/ACT.

How CLBS Helps Students Score High & Secure Admissions

CLBS isn’t just a coaching institute — it’s a full admissions ecosystem designed for real results.
Here’s how CLBS students consistently hit 1400+, and many cross 1500+, even if they start weak:

1. Diagnostic-driven learning
Every student starts with a diagnostic SAT test. We measure:
reading speed

• grammar accuracy
• math fundamentals
• logic + reasoning ability

Then we build a personalized plan — not a generic batch schedule.

2. Weekly handouts, assignments & test cycles

CLBS students follow a structured system:

• weekly topic-wise handouts
• classwork + theory + homework
• MCQ-based online tests simulating real SAT
• weekend walkthroughs of mistakes
• daily Quickfire Challenge (1 high-yield SAT question on WhatsApp)
• vocabulary quizzes (30 words/week)

This consistency builds automatic competency.

3. Full-length mock tests with analytics
Mocks are not just tests — they’re data.
We analyze:

• timing vs accuracy
• wrong-answer patterns
• guessing strategy
• strong vs weak sections
• question-type breakdown

This is why CLBS students improve 100–300 points over 8–12 weeks.

4. Real-time tracking & parent updates
Parents receive clear updates on:

• performance
• attendance
• homework
• behaviour
• improvement trend

Students stay accountable.
Parents feel confident.
Results follow.

5. Admissions + SAT combined strategy
Our students don’t just “take SAT.”
They prepare SAT aligned with their dream universities:

• score target for each university
• timeline planning
• application boosters (internships, projects, leadership)
• essay structuring
• LOR guidance
• early action/early decision strategy

This full-stack support is why CLBS students secure admissions at:

• NYU
• UC Berkeley
• Michigan Ann Arbor
• UIUC
• Boston University
• UPenn feeder schools
• Top Canadian and UK universities

SAT score + profile + storytelling is the winning triangle — and we build all three.

Final Word

The message from top U.S. universities is loud and clear:

Standardized testing is back. And it’s here to stay.

For Indian students, strong SAT scores will once again be a major competitive advantage — not just for admissions, but also for scholarships and global opportunities.

At CLBS, our system ensures students don’t just prepare…
they outperform.

If you want a high SAT score and a powerful admissions strategy,
CLBS will take you from your first diagnostic to your final acceptance letter — confidently, systematically, and with full support.