Massachusetts Institute of Technology SAT & ACT Scores
Massachusetts Institute of Technology requires the SAT or ACT from every first-year applicant for fall 2027. In the fall 2025 entering class, the middle 50% of enrolled students who sent the SAT scored 1520–1570, with a median of 1550. The ACT middle 50% was 34–35. Massachusetts Institute of Technology admitted 1,334 of 29,281 applicants, an admit rate of 4.6%.
Where does your score land?
Compared with Massachusetts Institute of Technology's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
MIT requires the SAT or ACT from all first-year applicants; the ACT writing and science sections and the SAT essay are not required.
Superscoring. Massachusetts Institute of Technology superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on Massachusetts Institute of Technology's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2023 entryRequired policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsRequired
Massachusetts Institute of Technology brought back its SAT/ACT requirement for students entering in fall 2023, after pausing it during the pandemic, and the requirement still applies. You can send either test. Massachusetts Institute of Technology does not require the ACT writing or science sections or the SAT essay, and it accepts both the paper and digital SAT. If you test more than once, Massachusetts Institute of Technology looks mainly at your best score in each section. You self-report scores on the application, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology verifies them only if you enroll. Each round has its own testing deadline, listed on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology admissions site, and you can add new scores after you apply.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology SAT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1520–1570, and the median was 1550.
SAT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1520 | 1550 | 1570 |
| Reading & Writing | 740 | 760 | 780 |
| Math | 780 | 790 | 800 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 83% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
What your SAT means here
The SAT numbers here come from the 2025–26 Common Data Set and describe enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class. The 25th percentile was 1520, the median 1550, and the 75th percentile 1570. By section, the middle 50% was 740–780 in Reading and Writing and 780–800 in Math. 83% of enrolled students reported an SAT score.
A score near 1520 puts you in the bottom quarter of enrolled students who sent the SAT. Check each section against its own range too, since a total score can hide a weaker section. Because every applicant must test, these ranges reflect nearly the whole class, not just the students who chose to send scores.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 34–35 on the ACT, with a median of 35.
ACT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| ACT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 34 | 35 | 35 |
| English | 34 | — | 36 |
| Math | 34 | — | 36 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 31% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
31% of enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class reported an ACT score. Their middle 50% composite was 34–35, with a median of 35. Section ranges were 34–36 in English and 34–36 in Math.
A composite of 34 was at the 25th percentile of enrolled students, and 35 was at the 75th. Massachusetts Institute of Technology accepts either test, so pick the one that suits you better and prepare for that one.
Take full-length ACT practice tests free, with a worked explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology acceptance rate
Extremely competitive: 4.6% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants29,281
- Admitted1,334
- Acceptance rate4.6%
- Testing for fall 2027Required
Early application plans: Early Action (non-restrictive, due November 1) and Regular Action; students apply once per entry year in either EA or RA.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2025–26 Common Data Set.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers non-binding Early Action, which does not stop you from applying early elsewhere, plus Regular Action. You can apply only once per entry year, in one round or the other.
What to aim for
A practical goal for Massachusetts Institute of Technology is an SAT at or above 1570, or an ACT of 35, with Math as your strongest section. Scores at the median of 1550 or 35 put you in the middle of the enrolled class. A quarter of enrolled SAT takers scored at or below 1520, so a score in that zone means the rest of your file has to carry more weight.
Scores are one required part of the file, alongside your courses and grades, essays, recommendations, and activities. With an admit rate of 4.6%, most applicants are not admitted, and a top score will not carry an application by itself. Treat the test as a requirement to meet well, then put your remaining time into the rest of the application.
How Massachusetts Institute of Technology compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | 4.2% | — | — | 33–35 | Required |
| University of Chicago | 4.5% | 1540 | 1500–1560 | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 4.6% | 1550 | 1520–1570 | 34–35 | Required |
| Yale University | 4.7% | 1540 | 1480–1560 | 33–35 | Required |
| Columbia University | 4.9% | 1540 | 1510–1560 | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| University of Pennsylvania | 4.9% | — | — | 34–35 | Required |
Frequently asked questions
Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: MIT requires the SAT or ACT from all first-year applicants; the ACT writing and science sections and the SAT essay are not required. Massachusetts Institute of Technology superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What is the average SAT score at Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The median SAT score of enrolled first-years was 1550 (fall 2025 entering class). The middle 50% scored 1520–1570, so a quarter scored 1570 or higher.
What SAT score do you need for Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
A score at or above 1570 puts you in the top quarter of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's enrolled first-years, and 1520–1570 is the middle 50% (fall 2025 entering class).
What ACT score do you need for Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 34–35, with a median of 35 (fall 2025 entering class). A 35 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is Massachusetts Institute of Technology's acceptance rate?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology admitted 4.6% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (1,334 of 29,281), which makes it extremely competitive.
How many Massachusetts Institute of Technology students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 83% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 31% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.