University of Pennsylvania SAT & ACT Scores
Yes, University of Pennsylvania requires the SAT or ACT for fall 2027 applicants, with a hardship waiver available. Penn's 2025–26 Common Data Set reports only section scores for the SAT: the middle 50% of enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class scored 740–770 in Reading and Writing and 770–800 in Math. The ACT middle 50% was 34–35. Penn admitted 4.9% of its 72,544 applicants.
Where does your score land?
Compared with University of Pennsylvania's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is University of Pennsylvania test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
Penn requires the SAT or ACT from first-year applicants; students who face hardship (such as no test center access or financial hardship) can submit a testing waiver instead.
Superscoring. University of Pennsylvania superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on University of Pennsylvania's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2026 entryRequired policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsRequired
University of Pennsylvania went test-optional for the cycle that began in 2020 and stayed that way until it reinstated the SAT/ACT requirement in February 2025, starting with students applying for fall 2026 entry. The rule covers first-year, international, homeschooled, transfer and QuestBridge applicants. Students who face hardship, such as no available test center, financial hardship, or natural disaster or civil unrest, can submit a testing waiver instead of scores. If you have taken the SAT or ACT, you must report it, and reported scores replace the waiver. Penn superscores both tests, sets no minimum score, and has no preference between the SAT and ACT. Self-reported scores are fine until you enroll.
University of Pennsylvania SAT scores
University of Pennsylvania reports SAT section scores but no total range.
| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading & Writing | 740 | 760 | 770 |
| 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. 52% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
Penn's 2025–26 Common Data Set leaves the total SAT score out and gives section ranges only. For enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class, the middle 50% was 740–770 in Reading and Writing and 770–800 in Math. 52% of enrolled students sent an SAT score.
That class applied while Penn was still test-optional, so the ranges show only students who chose to send scores. Classes admitted under the new requirement will report scores for nearly everyone, except students who used a hardship waiver.
Penn builds an SAT superscore from your best Reading and Writing score and your best Math score across test dates. If you plan to self-report a superscore, you will need official reports for each test date that feeds into it before 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 Pennsylvania ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 34–35 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 | 35 |
| English | 35 | — | 36 |
| Math | 33 | — | 35 |
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. 18% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
18% of enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class sent an ACT score. Their middle 50% composite was 34–35, with a median of 35. Section ranges were 35–36 in English and 33–35 in Math.
Penn superscores the ACT by taking your highest English, Math and Reading scores across sittings to calculate a composite. The Science section is not required. If you send both tests, Penn says it pays attention to the higher score.
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 Pennsylvania acceptance rate
Extremely competitive: 4.9% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants72,544
- Admitted3,570
- Acceptance rate4.9%
- Testing for fall 2027Required
Early application plans: Early Decision (binding, November 1) and Regular Decision; no Early Action.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: University of Pennsylvania 2025–26 Common Data Set.
University of Pennsylvania offers binding Early Decision, which commits you to attend if admitted, and Regular Decision. It does not offer Early Action.
What to aim for
A practical target for University of Pennsylvania is SAT section scores at the top of each range, 740–770 in Reading and Writing and 770–800 in Math, or an ACT composite of 35. Because Penn superscores, a retake that lifts one section can raise your result.
Penn says testing gives only a fraction of the picture of your academic performance, and it reviews scores with your transcript, essays, recommendations, and activities. With an admit rate of 4.9%, most applicants are not admitted, so strong scores help but do not decide the outcome.
How University of Pennsylvania compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 4.6% | 1550 | 1520–1570 | 34–35 | Required |
| Yale University | 4.7% | 1540 | 1480–1560 | 33–35 | Required |
| University of Pennsylvania | 4.9% | — | — | 34–35 | Required |
| Columbia University | 4.9% | 1540 | 1510–1560 | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| Princeton University | 5% | — | — | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| Duke University | 5.2% | 1550 | 1510–1570 | 34–35 | Test-optional |
Frequently asked questions
Is University of Pennsylvania test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: Penn requires the SAT or ACT from first-year applicants; students who face hardship (such as no test center access or financial hardship) can submit a testing waiver instead. University of Pennsylvania superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What is the average SAT score at University of Pennsylvania?
University of Pennsylvania reports SAT section scores rather than a total. For the fall 2025 entering class, enrolled first-years scored Reading and Writing 740–770 (median 760) and Math 770–800 (median 790).
What SAT score do you need for University of Pennsylvania?
University of Pennsylvania doesn't report a total SAT range. Section scores at or above 770 in Reading and Writing and 800 in Math put you in the top quarter of its enrolled first-years (fall 2025 entering class).
What ACT score do you need for University of Pennsylvania?
University of Pennsylvania's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 34–35, with a median of 35 (fall 2025 entering class). A 35 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is University of Pennsylvania's acceptance rate?
University of Pennsylvania admitted 4.9% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (3,570 of 72,544), which makes it extremely competitive.
How many University of Pennsylvania students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 52% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 18% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at University of Pennsylvania?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.