Barnard College SAT & ACT Scores
Barnard is test-optional for students applying for fall 2027 entry, so sending the SAT or ACT is up to you. Enrolled first-years who reported the SAT had a middle 50% range of 1480–1540 and a median of 1510. The ACT range was 32–35. Barnard admitted 10.1% of its 10,426 applicants for the fall 2025 entering class.
Where does your score land?
Compared with Barnard College's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is Barnard College test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
Barnard is SAT/ACT test-optional for first-year applicants for fall 2027 entry under a temporary policy; applicants who don't submit scores aren't asked for anything in their place.
Superscoring. Barnard College superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on Barnard College's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2021 entryTest-optional policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsTest-optional
- AnnouncedPolicy is temporary and confirmed only through the 2027 first-year cycle; Barnard has not announced its policy for later years.
Barnard adopted a one-year test-optional policy for students applying for fall 2021 entry because of the pandemic, and it has extended that temporary policy several times. Its current pages confirm test-optional admission through the 2027 first-year cycle, and no policy has been announced for later years. If you apply without scores, Barnard won't ask for other materials in their place. If you send scores, you must include all sections and the composite. Barnard superscores both tests and accepts the new ACT that launched in April 2025. It doesn't require the ACT science or writing sections. The test-optional policy does not cover English proficiency tests such as the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test.
Barnard College SAT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1480–1540, and the median was 1510.
SAT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1480 | 1510 | 1540 |
| Reading & Writing | 730 | 750 | 760 |
| Math | 730 | 770 | 790 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 38% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
What your SAT means here
Barnard's 2025–26 Common Data Set puts the SAT middle 50% at 1480–1540 for enrolled first-years who submitted the test. The 25th percentile was 1480, the median was 1510, and the 75th percentile was 1540. Section ranges were 730–760 in Reading and Writing and 730–790 in Math.
About 38% of the entering class reported the SAT, so the range reflects only the students who chose to share it. Barnard says it has no preference about whether applicants submit scores. If you do send the SAT, Barnard superscores it, taking your highest score in each section across sittings.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Barnard College ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 32–35 on the ACT, with a median of 34.
ACT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| ACT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 32 | 34 | 35 |
| English | 34 | — | 36 |
| Math | 30 | — | 34 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 16% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
Enrolled students who reported the ACT had a composite range of 32–35, with a median of 34. Section ranges were 34–36 in English and 30–34 in Math. 16% of the class submitted the ACT.
Barnard superscores the ACT by combining your best section scores from multiple sittings into a new composite, and it does this across old and new ACT formats. Report your section scores as they appear and let Barnard calculate the superscore; the college asks applicants not to compute it themselves. Science and writing are optional, but Barnard will review them if you send them.
Take full-length ACT practice tests free, with a worked explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Barnard College acceptance rate
Very competitive: 10.1% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants10,426
- Admitted1,048
- Acceptance rate10.1%
- Testing for fall 2027Test-optional
Early application plans: One binding Early Decision round plus Regular Decision; no Early Action.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: Barnard College 2025–26 Common Data Set.
Barnard has two application rounds: binding Early Decision and Regular Decision. It does not offer Early Action.
What to aim for
To match the top quarter of enrolled students who reported scores, aim for an SAT of 1540 or an ACT of 35. Scores near 1510 or 34 put you in the middle of that group. With an admit rate of 10.1%, scores in range help, but they don't decide the outcome.
Barnard describes its review as holistic and contextual. Test scores are one component and are never the sole basis for a decision, and each applicant is read in the context of her school, community, and individual story. If you decide not to submit, you won't need to send anything else in place of scores.
How Barnard College compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California - Los Angeles | 9.4% | — | — | — | Test-blind |
| Claremont McKenna College | 9.4% | 1510 | 1480–1540 | 33–35 | Test-optional |
| University of Notre Dame | 9.4% | 1500 | 1460–1540 | 33–35 | Test-optional |
| Barnard College | 10.1% | 1510 | 1480–1540 | 32–35 | Test-optional |
| Emory University | 10.3% | 1510 | 1480–1540 | 33–35 | Test-optional |
| Tufts University | 10.8% | 1500 | 1460–1520 | 33–35 | Test-optional |
Frequently asked questions
Is Barnard College test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: Barnard is SAT/ACT test-optional for first-year applicants for fall 2027 entry under a temporary policy; applicants who don't submit scores aren't asked for anything in their place. Policy is temporary and confirmed only through the 2027 first-year cycle; Barnard has not announced its policy for later years. Barnard College superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What is the average SAT score at Barnard College?
The median SAT score of enrolled first-years was 1510 (fall 2025 entering class). The middle 50% scored 1480–1540, so a quarter scored 1540 or higher.
What SAT score do you need for Barnard College?
A score at or above 1540 puts you in the top quarter of Barnard College's enrolled first-years, and 1480–1540 is the middle 50% (fall 2025 entering class). Because the school is test-optional, those ranges come only from students who chose to submit.
What ACT score do you need for Barnard College?
Barnard College's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 32–35, with a median of 34 (fall 2025 entering class). A 35 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is Barnard College's acceptance rate?
Barnard College admitted 10.1% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (1,048 of 10,426), which makes it very competitive.
How many Barnard College students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 38% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 16% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at Barnard College?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.