University of Massachusetts Amherst SAT & ACT Scores
UMass Amherst does not require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027 applicants. Enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class who sent SAT scores had a median of 1410 and a middle 50% of 1330–1480. The small group who sent the ACT had a middle 50% composite of 30–34. University of Massachusetts Amherst admitted 59.9% of its 53,117 first-year applicants.
Where does your score land?
Compared with University of Massachusetts Amherst's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is University of Massachusetts Amherst test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
UMass Amherst is test-optional for all first-year applicants and all majors; applications are reviewed with or without SAT or ACT scores, and applicants without scores are still considered for merit scholarships and special programs.
Superscoring. University of Massachusetts Amherst superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on University of Massachusetts Amherst's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2021 entryTest-optional policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsTest-optional
UMass Amherst has been test-optional since applicants for fall 2021 entry, and the policy applies to all majors. If you've taken the SAT or ACT and feel the scores reflect your abilities, UMass encourages you to send them; if you don't, the university says your GPA plays a bigger role in the quantitative part of its review. Scores must come directly from the testing agency, because UMass does not accept self-reported scores. If you send scores, UMass superscores them, considering your best combination from all of your tests. Applicants without scores are still considered for merit scholarships and special programs, and home-schooled applicants in an approved curriculum don't need to submit a score.
University of Massachusetts Amherst SAT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1330–1480, and the median was 1410.
SAT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1330 | 1410 | 1480 |
| Reading & Writing | 660 | 700 | 740 |
| Math | 660 | 710 | 760 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 24.9% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
What your SAT means here
Among enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class who submitted the SAT, the median was 1410. A quarter scored 1330 or lower, and a quarter scored 1480 or higher. Section scores ran 660–740 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 660–760 in Math.
Only 24.9% of the class sent SAT scores, so most students enrolled without them. These figures describe only the students who chose to submit, not the whole class.
UMass says test scores are one factor among many, and that GPA carries more weight when scores are missing. A superscore at or above 1410 sits in the upper half of enrolled submitters. If your best scores are well below 1330, applying without them is a common choice at UMass.
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 Massachusetts Amherst ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 30–34 on the ACT, with a median of 32.
ACT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| ACT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 30 | 32 | 34 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 0.3% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
The ACT is rare at UMass Amherst: 0.3% of the fall 2025 entering class submitted it. Their middle 50% composite was 30–34, with a median of 32. UMass did not report ACT English or Math ranges.
With so few ACT submitters, treat this range as a rough guide. UMass superscores the ACT as well, using your best combination of scores across tests. A composite at or above 34 is at the top of the range, and one below 30 is under most reported scores.
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 Massachusetts Amherst acceptance rate
Moderately competitive: 59.9% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants53,117
- Admitted31,813
- Acceptance rate59.9%
- Testing for fall 2027Test-optional
Early application plans: Early Action (non-binding, not restrictive; November 5, decisions by the end of January) and Regular Decision (January 15, decisions in early March); no Early Decision.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: University of Massachusetts Amherst 2025–26 Common Data Set.
UMass offers non-binding Early Action, due in early November with decisions posted by the end of January, and Regular Decision, due in mid-January with decisions in early March. There is no Early Decision. For Early Action, SAT or ACT tests taken by the end of October are part of the review; for Regular Decision, tests taken by the end of January count.
What to aim for
If you plan to send scores to UMass Amherst for fall 2027, aim for an SAT superscore of 1480 or higher or an ACT composite of 34 or higher. Scores near 1410 or 32 match the middle of recent enrolled submitters. UMass encourages you to send scores you feel reflect your abilities, and applying without them is a normal choice when they don't.
Scores are one part of UMass's holistic review, which weighs the rigor of your high school courses, especially those tied to your intended major. Applicants to majors that need strong math skills are expected to show it in their high school math courses. Early Action gets you an answer sooner, and UMass notes that admission to some majors is typically more competitive in Regular Decision, so applying Early Action can help if your application is ready.
How University of Massachusetts Amherst compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Ohio State University | 49.2% | 1380 | 1300–1440 | 27–32 | Required |
| Texas A&M University | 51.7% | 1280 | 1160–1390 | 24–32 | Test-optional |
| Virginia Tech | 54.6% | — | — | 28–32 | Test-optional |
| Penn State | 55.3% | 1340 | 1280–1410 | 28–32 | Test-optional |
| Rutgers University–New Brunswick | 58% | — | — | 28–33 | Test-optional |
| University of Massachusetts Amherst | 59.9% | 1410 | 1330–1480 | 30–34 | Test-optional |
Frequently asked questions
Is University of Massachusetts Amherst test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: UMass Amherst is test-optional for all first-year applicants and all majors; applications are reviewed with or without SAT or ACT scores, and applicants without scores are still considered for merit scholarships and special programs. University of Massachusetts Amherst superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What is the average SAT score at University of Massachusetts Amherst?
The median SAT score of enrolled first-years was 1410 (fall 2025 entering class). The middle 50% scored 1330–1480, so a quarter scored 1480 or higher.
What SAT score do you need for University of Massachusetts Amherst?
A score at or above 1480 puts you in the top quarter of University of Massachusetts Amherst's enrolled first-years, and 1330–1480 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 Massachusetts Amherst?
University of Massachusetts Amherst's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 30–34, with a median of 32 (fall 2025 entering class). A 34 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is University of Massachusetts Amherst's acceptance rate?
University of Massachusetts Amherst admitted 59.9% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (31,813 of 53,117), which makes it moderately competitive.
How many University of Massachusetts Amherst students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 24.9% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 0.3% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at University of Massachusetts Amherst?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.