University of Notre Dame SAT & ACT Scores
Fall 2027 applicants to University of Notre Dame can apply without the SAT or ACT, but that is the last test-optional year: scores become required for fall 2028 entry. Enrolled students who sent the SAT had a median of 1500 and a middle half of 1460–1540, while ACT submitters scored 33–35. Notre Dame admitted 9.4% of first-year applicants for its fall 2025 entering class.
Where does your score land?
Compared with University of Notre Dame's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is University of Notre Dame test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
Notre Dame is test-optional for fall 2027 applicants, and it will require the SAT or ACT from first-year and transfer applicants starting with fall 2028 entry.
Superscoring. University of Notre Dame superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on University of Notre Dame's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2021 entryTest-optional policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsTest-optional
- AnnouncedSAT or ACT required starting with the 2027–28 admissions cycle (fall 2028 entry), for first-year and transfer applicants
Notre Dame became test-optional for students applying for fall 2021 entry, during the pandemic, and extended the policy each year. In September 2026 it announced that it will reinstate a testing requirement beginning with the 2027–2028 admissions cycle, so first-year and transfer applicants for fall 2028 must submit the SAT or ACT. For fall 2027 applicants, sending scores is your choice. Notre Dame has no preference between the tests, and the ACT science and writing sections are optional. It superscores, using your highest score in each section across sittings of the same test. You can self-report scores on the application or through the applicant portal; enrolling students must send official scores that match. Notre Dame has no minimum score and reads each score in the context of your circumstances.
University of Notre Dame SAT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1460–1540, and the median was 1500.
SAT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1460 | 1500 | 1540 |
| Reading & Writing | 720 | 740 | 760 |
| Math | 730 | 760 | 780 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 34.3% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
What your SAT means here
The median SAT among enrolled first-year students who sent the test was 1500. The middle half scored 1460–1540, so a quarter scored 1460 or below and a quarter scored 1540 or above. Section ranges were 720–760 in Reading and Writing and 730–780 in Math.
About 34.3% of the enrolled class sent SAT scores. Because Notre Dame was test-optional for this class, these ranges describe students who chose to submit. Students who enrolled without scores are not counted.
If your SAT is at or above 1500, it sits in the upper half of what enrolled submitters reported, and sending it makes sense. If you are in the high school class of 2028 or later, you will need a score no matter what, so it is worth planning your testing now.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
University of Notre Dame 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 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 32.7% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
Enrolled students who sent the ACT had a median composite of 34, and the middle half scored 33–35. About 32.7% of the class sent ACT scores.
Notre Dame superscores the ACT by section across sittings, and the science and writing sections are optional. A composite of 35 or higher puts you in the top quarter of enrolled submitters; a composite below 33 is under the range most of them had.
Take full-length ACT practice tests free, with a worked explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
University of Notre Dame acceptance rate
Extremely competitive: 9.4% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants35,401
- Admitted3,320
- Acceptance rate9.4%
- Testing for fall 2027Test-optional
Early application plans: Restrictive Early Action (non-binding) and Regular Decision; no Early Decision.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: University of Notre Dame 2025–26 Common Data Set.
Notre Dame offers Restrictive Early Action and Regular Decision. Restrictive Early Action is non-binding but limits where else you can apply early. Notre Dame does not offer Early Decision.
What to aim for
If you send scores for fall 2027, a practical target is an SAT of 1540 or an ACT of 35, the top quarter of enrolled submitters. Scores near 1500 or 34 are in the middle. Scores well below 1460 or 33 may not help, and you can leave them out this cycle.
Notre Dame says a test score is one data point among dozens. It also weighs your course rigor, grades, essays, recommendations, activities, service and the context of your school and community. With an admit rate of 9.4%, every part of the application matters, and from fall 2028 on, a score will be one required part of it.
How University of Notre Dame compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York University | 9% | — | — | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| University of Notre Dame | 9.4% | 1500 | 1460–1540 | 33–35 | Test-optional |
| University of California - Los Angeles | 9.4% | — | — | — | Test-blind |
| Claremont McKenna College | 9.4% | 1510 | 1480–1540 | 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 |
Frequently asked questions
Is University of Notre Dame test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: Notre Dame is test-optional for fall 2027 applicants, and it will require the SAT or ACT from first-year and transfer applicants starting with fall 2028 entry. SAT or ACT required starting with the 2027–28 admissions cycle (fall 2028 entry), for first-year and transfer applicants University of Notre Dame superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What is the average SAT score at University of Notre Dame?
The median SAT score of enrolled first-years was 1500 (fall 2025 entering class). The middle 50% scored 1460–1540, so a quarter scored 1540 or higher.
What SAT score do you need for University of Notre Dame?
A score at or above 1540 puts you in the top quarter of University of Notre Dame's enrolled first-years, and 1460–1540 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 University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame'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 University of Notre Dame's acceptance rate?
University of Notre Dame admitted 9.4% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (3,320 of 35,401), which makes it extremely competitive.
How many University of Notre Dame students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 34.3% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 32.7% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at University of Notre Dame?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.