University of California - Berkeley SAT & ACT scores.
University of California, Berkeley is among the most selective universities in the United States. In the latest admission cycle (for the Class of 2028), UC Berkeley received roughly 128,000 applications and offered admission to only about 17,920 students—an acceptance rate near 14%. That means just around 14 in 100 applicants earn a spot, underscoring UC Berkeley's exceptionally high standards and intense competition year after year.
About 82% of applicants submit an SAT score and 41% an ACT score.
UC Berkeley does not offer Early Decision or Early Action programs. All applicants are evaluated in the regular decision round, which means all students have the same deadline and are considered together. This approach reflects UC Berkeley's commitment to a comprehensive review process that considers the entire applicant pool simultaneously.
UC Berkeley is test-blind. As part of the University of California system, UC Berkeley does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admissions decisions, even if you submit them. This policy means test scores play no role in determining who is admitted. Instead, UC Berkeley focuses entirely on other factors such as GPA, coursework rigor, essays, extracurriculars, and personal context. The score ranges below are provided only for informational purposes to give families a sense of the academic caliber of enrolled students.
SAT scores
Although UC Berkeley is test-blind and does not use SAT scores in admissions decisions, many enrolled students still took the SAT. Among those who reported scores, the middle-50% composite SAT range is roughly 1310–1530. This range reflects the academic caliber of UC Berkeley's student body, not an admissions benchmark.
For section detail: the SAT Reading and Writing component among UC Berkeley students who reported scores falls around 650–740 for the middle 50%. These scores reflect the strong reading, writing, and analytical skills typical of students who attend UC Berkeley.
On the Math portion, reported middle-50% scores are about 660–790. This upper-tier performance signals comfort with advanced algebra, data analysis, and precalculus—skills common among UC Berkeley's academically strong student body.
Because UC Berkeley is test-blind, there is no SAT score that will help or hurt your admissions chances. Scores are simply not reviewed. Focus your energy instead on maintaining a strong GPA, taking rigorous coursework, writing compelling essays, and building meaningful extracurricular involvement.
Policy note: Since UC Berkeley does not consider test scores in admissions, superscoring is not applicable. If you plan to submit scores to other UC campuses or non-UC schools, note that policies vary by institution.
ACT scores
UC Berkeley is test-blind and does not consider ACT scores in admissions. However, among enrolled students who reported ACT scores, the middle 50% of composite scores is about 30–35. This gives families a sense of the academic profile of UC Berkeley students, though these scores played no role in their admission.
By section, enrolled students who reported scores tend to have strong English results. The middle 50% for ACT English is approximately 27–35. These scores reflect the communication and analytical skills typical of UC Berkeley's student body.
ACT Math scores among reporting students are similarly high: the middle 50% falls around 27–34. Many students admitted to engineering or quantitative programs show strong math fluency, though again these scores were not part of the admissions evaluation.
Since UC Berkeley does not review test scores, there is no advantage to retaking the SAT or ACT for UC Berkeley admissions purposes. If you are also applying to schools that do consider scores, retakes and superscoring strategies may still be worthwhile for those applications.
If you're planning your testing strategy, remember that UC Berkeley's test-blind policy means your time is better spent on other parts of your application. Strong essays, a challenging course load, and meaningful activities carry far more weight at UC Berkeley than any test score.
Admission numbers
Here's the reality: UC Berkeley's admit rate is only about 14%, with roughly 128,000 applications for about 17,920 spots (around 6,000 students actually enroll). Because UC Berkeley is test-blind, SAT and ACT scores are not part of the admissions equation. The score ranges listed above simply reflect the academic profile of enrolled students and are provided for informational context only.
UC Berkeley emphasizes holistic review without test scores. Admissions officers weigh coursework rigor, grades, essays, and personal qualities. In a pool full of near-perfect transcripts, your essays, extracurriculars, and personal story are what differentiate you. Strong academics remain essential, but that means GPA and course selection—not standardized tests.
Strategy snapshot: UC Berkeley does not offer Early Decision or Early Action, so all applicants are evaluated in the regular decision round. Since test scores are not considered, focus your preparation on maintaining excellent grades in challenging courses, crafting standout essays, and demonstrating meaningful involvement in your community. For applicants also targeting non-UC schools that require or consider test scores, a separate testing strategy may still be needed for those applications.
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