Yale University SAT & ACT Scores
At Yale University, the middle 50% SAT range for the fall 2025 entering class was 1480–1560, with a median of 1540. The ACT middle 50% was 33–35. Yale University admitted 4.7% of first-year applicants. For fall 2027 applicants, an SAT or ACT score is required, and AP or IB scores no longer meet the testing requirement on their own.
Where does your score land?
Compared with Yale University's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is Yale University test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
Yale requires all first-year and transfer applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores starting with the 2026–27 cycle; AP and IB scores are optional and no longer fulfill the requirement.
Superscoring. Yale University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on Yale University's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2027 entryRequired policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsRequired
Yale University announced in May 2026 that it would again require the ACT or SAT, starting with the 2026–27 admissions cycle. That ends the test-flexible policy announced in 2024, which let applicants use AP or IB scores instead, and restores the rule in place before 2020. The requirement covers first-year and transfer applicants. You may self-report scores on the application; admitted students who enroll must send official results that match. Yale University accepts super-scored results from either test, meaning your highest section scores across test dates. A super-scored ACT composite must match what the testing agency provides.
Yale University SAT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1480–1560, and the median was 1540.
SAT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1480 | 1540 | 1560 |
| Reading & Writing | 730 | 760 | 780 |
| Math | 740 | 780 | 790 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 67% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
What your SAT means here
Enrolled first-year students in the fall 2025 entering class who sent the SAT had a middle 50% range of 1480–1560. The median was 1540, a 1480 marked the 25th percentile, and a 1560 marked the 75th. Section ranges were 730–780 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 740–790 in Math.
67% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores, and 25% submitted the ACT. That class applied under the test-flexible policy, when some students used AP or IB scores instead. For fall 2027, every applicant must send an SAT or ACT.
A score at 1480 is inside the middle half, but three in four enrolled students who reported the SAT scored at or above it. A score at 1560 or higher puts you in the top quarter of that group.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Yale University ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 33–35 on the ACT, with a median of 34.
ACT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| ACT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 33 | 34 | 35 |
| English | 34 | — | 36 |
| Math | 31 | — | 35 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 25% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
25% of enrolled first-year students sent ACT scores. Their middle 50% composite was 33–35, with a median of 34. English scores ran 34–36 and Math scores ran 31–35.
Yale University has no preference between the ACT and SAT. If you send the ACT, include English, Math, and Reading plus a composite; Science and Writing are optional. Super-scored ACT results are accepted, but don't recalculate a composite by mixing tests that had a required Science section with tests where Science was optional.
Take full-length ACT practice tests free, with a worked explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Yale University acceptance rate
Extremely competitive: 4.7% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants50,264
- Admitted2,387
- Acceptance rate4.7%
- Testing for fall 2027Required
Early application plans: Single-Choice Early Action (restrictive, nonbinding; Nov 1 deadline); no Early Decision.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: Yale University 2025–26 Common Data Set.
Yale University offers Single-Choice Early Action, which is nonbinding but limits other early applications, plus Regular Decision. It does not offer Early Decision. Tests taken in October or November are generally available for the early round.
What to aim for
A practical target for Yale University is an SAT at or above 1560 or an ACT at or above 35, the 75th percentile for enrolled students who reported scores. A score near the median, 1540 or 34, is typical of the class, not a cutoff.
Scores are now required, but Yale University treats tests as one part of a holistic review. The application also requires letters of recommendation and a school report with a transcript. AP or IB scores are optional and encouraged if you took that coursework. A strong score helps show academic preparation; it does not replace the rest of your file.
How Yale University compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Columbia University | 4.9% | 1540 | 1510–1560 | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| University of Pennsylvania | 4.9% | — | — | 34–35 | Required |
| Princeton University | 5% | — | — | 34–35 | Test-optional |
Frequently asked questions
Is Yale University test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: Yale requires all first-year and transfer applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores starting with the 2026–27 cycle; AP and IB scores are optional and no longer fulfill the requirement. Yale University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What is the average SAT score at Yale University?
The median SAT score of enrolled first-years was 1540 (fall 2025 entering class). The middle 50% scored 1480–1560, so a quarter scored 1560 or higher.
What SAT score do you need for Yale University?
A score at or above 1560 puts you in the top quarter of Yale University's enrolled first-years, and 1480–1560 is the middle 50% (fall 2025 entering class).
What ACT score do you need for Yale University?
Yale University's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 33–35, with a median of 34 (fall 2025 entering class). A 35 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is Yale University's acceptance rate?
Yale University admitted 4.7% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (2,387 of 50,264), which makes it extremely competitive.
How many Yale University students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 67% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 25% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at Yale University?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.