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Cambridge, MATest-required~3.6% admit rate

Harvard UniversitySAT & ACT Scores

The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1510–1580 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 total1510 – 1580
40080012001600

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1510 and 1580 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 total15101580
ACT composite3436

What the “middle 50%” actually means

These are not cutoffs. The 25th percentile (1510 SAT / 34 ACT) means a quarter of admitted students scored at or below it, and the 75th percentile (1580 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.

Harvard University requires the SAT or ACT

For the current application cycle, Harvard University requires you to submit an SAT or ACT score. A strong score is part of a complete application, so it is worth preparing for.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

What SAT score do I need for Harvard University?+
There is no fixed cutoff. The middle 50% of recently enrolled Harvard University students scored between 1510 and 1580 on the SAT, so a competitive target is around 1580 (the 75th percentile). A score near 1550 would sit close to the middle of admitted students.
Is a 1510 SAT good enough for Harvard University?+
A 1510 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 1580 gives you more margin.
What ACT score do I need for Harvard 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 Harvard University test-optional or test-required?+
For the current application cycle, Harvard University requires you to submit an SAT or ACT score. A strong score is part of a complete application, so it is worth preparing for.

Know your score before you apply

See where you stand against Harvard 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 Harvard University’s admitted students (Fall 2024 entering class (CDS 2024–2025)); they are not admission cutoffs or guarantees. Harvard reinstated a standardized-testing requirement beginning with the Class of 2029 (Fall 2025 applicants). The range shown is the last test-optional cohort, of whom about three-quarters submitted scores. Figures are compiled from official Common Data Set and college sources and may differ slightly from the most recent cycle — always confirm with Harvard University’s admissions office.

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