University of California - Berkeley SAT & ACT Scores
University of California - Berkeley does not use the SAT or ACT for fall 2027 applicants. It calls its policy test-free: scores play no part in review, selection, or scholarships, whether you send them or not. Because of that, Berkeley reports no SAT median, middle 50% range, or ACT range for admitted or enrolled students. In the fall 2025 entering class, Berkeley admitted 14,524 of 126,864 applicants, an admit rate of 11.4%.
Scores don't count at University of California - Berkeley
Admission decisions here rest on your grades, courses, essays and activities. A chances estimate weighs exactly those.
Is University of California - Berkeley test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
UC Berkeley is test-free: it does not use SAT or ACT scores in any part of admission review, selection, or scholarships, though submitted scores can be used for course placement or subject credit after admission.
Checked October 29, 2026 on University of California - Berkeley's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2021 entryTest-blind policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsTest-blind
The University of California stopped considering SAT and ACT scores in admission decisions starting with fall 2021 applicants, and no UC campus requires them. You can still self-report scores on the UC application after you submit it. If you are admitted, Berkeley may use them for course placement or subject credit, but not for the admission decision. In July 2026 the UC Academic Council began a faculty review of standardized testing, with recommendations due to the Regents by June 2027. UC says nothing changes for fall 2027 applicants, and it has not decided whether rules for fall 2028 or later will change.
University of California - Berkeley SAT scores
University of California - Berkeley doesn't use the SAT in admissions, so it publishes no admitted-student range.
University of California - Berkeley does not consider the SAT, so its 2025–26 Common Data Set leaves the SAT score section blank. There is no admitted-student SAT range to compare yourself with, and a high or low score will not change your admission decision.
Instead, Berkeley's review looks at your grades, the rigor of your courses, other optional tests such as AP and IB exams, and your academic context. If you have strong AP or IB results, those are the scores that can add to your file here. An SAT score you already have can still help with course placement or subject credit if you enroll.
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 California - Berkeley ACT scores
The ACT isn't considered either.
The same rule applies to the ACT. Berkeley does not use ACT scores in admission review or scholarships, and its 2025–26 Common Data Set reports no ACT range.
If you are also applying to schools that require or consider the ACT, you can still list your scores on the UC application. Berkeley says it will not use them for admission, whether or not they are submitted.
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 California - Berkeley acceptance rate
Very competitive: 11.4% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants126,864
- Admitted14,524
- Acceptance rate11.4%
- Testing for fall 2027Test-blind
Early application plans: No early plans; one UC application filing period (October 1 – November 30) for fall admission.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: University of California - Berkeley 2025–26 Common Data Set.
Berkeley has no Early Decision or Early Action. All first-year applicants file the UC application in the same fall window.
What to aim for
There is no SAT or ACT target for University of California - Berkeley. Because scores are not used, time spent raising a test score does nothing for your Berkeley application. Time spent on your courses, grades, and AP or IB exams counts, since Berkeley reviews those directly.
Take the SAT or ACT only if other colleges on your list need it, or if you want a score for placement after enrollment. Watch for any UC update on testing for fall 2028 and later, since a faculty review is underway.
How University of California - Berkeley compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tufts University | 10.8% | 1500 | 1460–1520 | 33–35 | Test-optional |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 11.1% | 1540 | 1500–1560 | 34–36 | Test-flexible |
| University of Southern California | 11.2% | 1510 | 1470–1540 | 32–35 | Test-optional |
| University of California - Berkeley | 11.4% | — | — | — | Test-blind |
| Washington University in St. Louis | 11.9% | 1530 | 1500–1550 | 33–35 | Test-optional |
| Harvey Mudd College | 12.3% | 1510 | 1500–1560 | 35–36 | Test-optional |
Frequently asked questions
Is University of California - Berkeley test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: UC Berkeley is test-free: it does not use SAT or ACT scores in any part of admission review, selection, or scholarships, though submitted scores can be used for course placement or subject credit after admission.
What SAT score do you need for University of California - Berkeley?
None. University of California - Berkeley does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, so there is no score to aim for and no admitted-student SAT range is published.
What is University of California - Berkeley's acceptance rate?
University of California - Berkeley admitted 11.4% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (14,524 of 126,864), which makes it very competitive.
What are your chances at University of California - Berkeley?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.