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Durham, NCTest-optional~5.2% admit rate

Duke UniversitySAT & ACT Scores

The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1520–1570 on the SAT and 34–36 on the ACT.

Admitted-student score ranges

Each bar shows the middle 50% (25th–75th percentile) of admitted students. Aim for the upper end to be comfortably competitive.

SAT total1520 – 1570
40080012001600

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1520 and 1570 on the SAT total.

ACT composite34 – 36
1122436

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 34 and 36 on the ACT composite.

Test25th percentile75th percentile
SAT total15201570
ACT composite3436

What the “middle 50%” actually means

These are not cutoffs. The 25th percentile (1520 SAT / 34 ACT) means a quarter of admitted students scored at or below it, and the 75th percentile (1570 SAT / 36 ACT) means a quarter scored at or above it. Half of admitted students land inside the range — and students are admitted both below and above it every year, because scores are only one part of the application.

Duke University is test-optional

Duke University does not require an SAT or ACT score, but will consider one if you submit it. Because the range below reflects students who chose to submit, a score at or above the 25th percentile (1520 SAT / 34 ACT) generally strengthens your application — while a lower score is usually better left off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Honest answers about SAT and ACT scores for Duke University, from the data above.

What SAT score do I need for Duke University?+
There is no fixed cutoff. The middle 50% of recently enrolled Duke University students scored between 1520 and 1570 on the SAT, so a competitive target is around 1570 (the 75th percentile). A score near 1550 would sit close to the middle of admitted students.
Is a 1520 SAT good enough for Duke University?+
A 1520 sits at roughly the 25th percentile — about a quarter of enrolled students scored at or below it, so it is within range but on the lower end. Admitted students at that level typically stand out in other ways (grades, rigor, essays, activities). Aiming closer to 1570 gives you more margin.
What ACT score do I need for Duke University?+
The middle 50% of recently enrolled students scored 34–36 on the ACT. A composite around 36 would place you near the top of that range; 34 is roughly the 25th percentile.
Is Duke University test-optional or test-required?+
Duke University does not require an SAT or ACT score, but will consider one if you submit it. Because the range below reflects students who chose to submit, a score at or above the 25th percentile (1520 SAT / 34 ACT) generally strengthens your application — while a lower score is usually better left off.

Know your score before you apply

See where you stand against Duke University's ranges today, then build a plan to close the gap. The full-length adaptive diagnostic is free — no account needed to start.

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Score ranges describe the middle 50% of Duke University’s admitted students (Recent entering class (Duke class profile)); they are not admission cutoffs or guarantees. Duke has been test-optional since 2020 and, unlike several peers, has kept that policy; it removed test scores from its internal applicant rating scale. Figures are compiled from official Common Data Set and college sources and may differ slightly from the most recent cycle — always confirm with Duke University’s admissions office.

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