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Stanford, CATest-required~3.8% admit rate

Stanford 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.

Stanford University requires the SAT or ACT

For the current application cycle, Stanford 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 Stanford University, from the data above.

What SAT score do I need for Stanford University?+
There is no fixed cutoff. The middle 50% of recently enrolled Stanford 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 Stanford 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 Stanford 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 Stanford University test-optional or test-required?+
For the current application cycle, Stanford 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 Stanford 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 Stanford University’s admitted students (Recent entering class (last test-optional cohort)); they are not admission cutoffs or guarantees. Stanford reinstates a testing requirement beginning with Fall 2026 applicants. The range shown predates the new requirement. Figures are compiled from official Common Data Set and college sources and may differ slightly from the most recent cycle — always confirm with Stanford University’s admissions office.

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