Stanford University SAT & ACT Scores
For fall 2027, Stanford University requires either the SAT or the ACT. Among enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class who sent scores, the SAT median was 1550 and the middle 50% was 1520–1570. ACT senders had a middle 50% of 34–36. Stanford University admitted 2,302 students from 60,646 applications, a rate of 3.8%.
Where does your score land?
Compared with Stanford University's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is Stanford University test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
Stanford requires the SAT or ACT from first-year applicants and has no preferred exam; English proficiency tests cannot replace it.
Superscoring. Stanford University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on Stanford University's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2026 entryRequired policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsRequired
Stanford University brought back its testing requirement starting with students entering in fall 2026; the SAT and ACT were optional for the class that entered in fall 2025. Stanford University has no preferred exam, sets no minimum score, and says no score guarantees admission. English proficiency tests cannot replace the SAT or ACT. You self-report your highest scores on the application, and Stanford University superscores both tests: you report your best section scores across sittings, and for the ACT you can enter your superscore composite. If you enroll, official reports are required for every sitting you reported, and an offer can be revoked if they don't match.
Stanford University 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 | 750 | 760 | 780 |
| Math | 770 | 790 | 800 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores (testing was optional for this class), fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 56% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
What your SAT means here
Per the 2025–26 Common Data Set, enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class who sent the SAT had a 25th percentile of 1520, a median of 1550, and a 75th percentile of 1570. The section ranges were 750–780 in Reading and Writing and 770–800 in Math. 56% of enrolled students sent an SAT score.
That class applied while testing was optional, so these ranges come only from students who chose to send scores. They say nothing about the students who applied without them. Now that every applicant must test, later ranges will include every enrolled student.
Because Stanford University superscores, your best Reading and Writing score and your best Math score can come from different test dates. Plan for a second sitting if your first result leaves one section short.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Stanford University ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 34–36 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 | 36 |
| English | 35 | — | 36 |
| Math | 33 | — | 36 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores (testing was optional for this class), fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 21% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
21% of enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class sent an ACT score. The middle 50% composite was 34–36, with a median of 35. Section ranges were 35–36 in English and 33–36 in Math.
Stanford University lets you report an ACT superscore composite built from your best English, Math, and Reading scores across sittings. The ACT Science and Writing sections are optional. A composite at or near 36 matches the top quarter of enrolled students who sent 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.
Stanford University acceptance rate
Extremely competitive: 3.8% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants60,646
- Admitted2,302
- Acceptance rate3.8%
- Testing for fall 2027Required
Early application plans: Restrictive Early Action (non-binding, restrictive) and Regular Decision.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: Stanford University 2025–26 Common Data Set.
Stanford University offers Restrictive Early Action, a non-binding early round that limits other early applications, and Regular Decision. It does not offer Early Decision.
What to aim for
A practical target for Stanford University is an SAT at or above 1570 or an ACT of 36. A score near the median, 1550 or 35, keeps you in the middle of enrolled students who sent scores. Since testing is now required, send your best superscore rather than deciding whether to submit at all.
Stanford University says there are no minimum scores and no score that guarantees admission. Scores are reviewed alongside your transcript, essays, recommendations, and activities. With an admit rate of 3.8%, most applicants are not admitted, so a strong score clears one hurdle rather than deciding the result.
How Stanford University compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | 3.8% | 1550 | 1520–1570 | 34–36 | Required |
| California Institute of Technology | 3.8% | — | — | 35–36 | Required |
| 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 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Stanford University test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: Stanford requires the SAT or ACT from first-year applicants and has no preferred exam; English proficiency tests cannot replace it. Stanford University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What is the average SAT score at Stanford University?
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 Stanford University?
A score at or above 1570 puts you in the top quarter of Stanford University's enrolled first-years, and 1520–1570 is the middle 50% (fall 2025 entering class).
What ACT score do you need for Stanford University?
Stanford University's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 34–36, with a median of 35 (fall 2025 entering class). A 36 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is Stanford University's acceptance rate?
Stanford University admitted 3.8% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (2,302 of 60,646), which makes it extremely competitive.
How many Stanford University students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 56% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 21% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at Stanford University?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.