Cornell University SAT & ACT Scores
Enrolled Cornell first-years in the fall 2025 entering class had a median SAT of 1530, and the middle half scored 1490–1550. On the ACT, the middle half scored 33–35. Cornell admitted 8.4% of its 72,523 applicants. If you are applying for fall 2027 entry, the SAT or ACT is required. Cornell's policy page lists no test-optional path for first-year students.
Where does your score land?
Compared with Cornell University's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is Cornell University test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
Cornell requires the SAT or ACT from all first-year applicants; scores may be self-reported, and enrolling students must send official scores.
Superscoring. Cornell University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on Cornell University's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2026 entryRequired policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsRequired
Cornell brought back its testing requirement for students applying for fall 2026 entry, after a multi-year study by its Task Force on Standardized Testing in Admissions. Every first-year applicant must submit SAT or ACT scores. You can self-report them on the Common Application or in the Cornell Applicant Portal, and enrolling students must later send official scores from the testing agency. Recruited athletes must send official scores while they apply. For the SAT, Cornell uses your highest section scores across test dates. For the ACT, it considers the ACT superscore and your highest section scores, and the science section is not required. Transfer applicants do not need the SAT or ACT.
Cornell University SAT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1490–1550, and the median was 1530.
SAT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1490 | 1530 | 1550 |
| Reading & Writing | 730 | 750 | 770 |
| Math | 770 | 790 | 800 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores (fall 2025 entrants applied under Cornell's test-optional policy), fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 43% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
What your SAT means here
The median SAT among enrolled Cornell first-years in the fall 2025 entering class was 1530. A quarter of those students scored 1490 or lower, and a quarter scored 1550 or higher. By section, the middle half scored 730–770 on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 770–800 on Math.
Cornell's requirement began with students entering in fall 2026. Classes that entered before then applied test-optional, so their published ranges describe only the students who chose to send scores. In the fall 2025 entering class, 43% of enrolled students submitted an SAT score.
Because the SAT is now required, your score will be read with the rest of your file in every case. Cornell says scores help it build a more complete picture of each applicant when reviewed alongside grades, course rigor, activities, essays, and recommendations. A score below 1490 does not rule you out, but it places you in the bottom quarter of enrolled students who reported the SAT.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Cornell University ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 33–35 on the ACT, with a median of 34.
ACT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| ACT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 33 | 34 | 35 |
| English | 34 | — | 36 |
| Math | 32 | — | 35 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores (fall 2025 entrants applied under Cornell's test-optional policy), fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 13% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
Enrolled Cornell first-years who reported the ACT had a median composite of 34, and the middle half scored 33–35. By section, the middle half scored 34–36 in English and 32–35 in Math. In the fall 2025 entering class, 13% of enrolled students submitted an ACT score, compared with 43% for the SAT.
If you send the ACT, Cornell asks you to use the superscore option when sending official scores, and it will also look at your highest section scores across all test dates. The science section is not required. A composite of 35 or higher puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students who reported the ACT.
Take full-length ACT practice tests free, with a worked explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Cornell University acceptance rate
Extremely competitive: 8.4% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants72,523
- Admitted6,077
- Acceptance rate8.4%
- Testing for fall 2027Required
Early application plans: Early Decision (binding) and Regular Decision; no Early Action.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: Cornell University 2025–26 Common Data Set.
Cornell offers two first-year plans: Early Decision, which is binding, and Regular Decision, which is not. It does not offer Early Action.
What to aim for
A practical target for Cornell is an SAT of 1550 or higher, or an ACT of 35 or higher, which matches the top quarter of enrolled students who reported scores. Scores near the median of 1530 on the SAT or 34 on the ACT are typical for enrolled students. With an admit rate of 8.4%, a strong score by itself does not decide the outcome.
Cornell reviews applications holistically, and its testing policy says scores are read together with GPA, academic rigor, extracurricular engagement, essays, and letters of recommendation. Since a score is required, plan your test dates early, then put your remaining time into the parts of the application that tests cannot show. If you self-report scores and enroll, you will need to send official reports that match.
How Cornell University compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst College | 7.7% | 1510 | 1470–1540 | 33–35 | Test-optional |
| Rice University | 8% | 1540 | 1510–1560 | 34–36 | Test-optional |
| Williams College | 8% | — | — | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| Colby College | 8% | — | 1430–1520 | 33–34 | Test-optional |
| Cornell University | 8.4% | 1530 | 1490–1550 | 33–35 | Required |
| New York University | 9% | — | — | 34–35 | Test-optional |
Frequently asked questions
Is Cornell University test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: Cornell requires the SAT or ACT from all first-year applicants; scores may be self-reported, and enrolling students must send official scores. Cornell University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What is the average SAT score at Cornell University?
The median SAT score of enrolled first-years was 1530 (fall 2025 entering class). The middle 50% scored 1490–1550, so a quarter scored 1550 or higher.
What SAT score do you need for Cornell University?
A score at or above 1550 puts you in the top quarter of Cornell University's enrolled first-years, and 1490–1550 is the middle 50% (fall 2025 entering class).
What ACT score do you need for Cornell University?
Cornell University's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 33–35, with a median of 34 (fall 2025 entering class). A 35 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is Cornell University's acceptance rate?
Cornell University admitted 8.4% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (6,077 of 72,523), which makes it extremely competitive.
How many Cornell University students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 43% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 13% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at Cornell University?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.