What is a good SAT score for Stanford University?

A score at or above 1570 (75th percentile) puts you in a strong academic position at Stanford University. The middle 50% range is 1500–1570, meaning 50% of admitted students scored within this range.

Stanford University

Q: What SAT score do you need to get into Stanford University?

Stanford University's middle 50% SAT range is 1500–1570. There is no official minimum, but applicants with scores significantly below 1500 face a more difficult path given the 3.7% acceptance rate.

Q: Is Stanford University test optional?

Stanford University is currently test optional. You may choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores.

Stanford, CA · Private University · 7,761 undergraduates

Key Facts

Stanford's middle 50% SAT range is 1500–1570 — 25% of admitted students scored above 1570, 25% scored below 1500
Stanford is extremely selective — overall acceptance rate is 3.7%
Stanford is currently test-optional — you can choose whether to submit your SAT score
A score within or above the middle 50% range removes academic metrics as an obstacle; essays, recommendations, and context remain the deciding factors
Students using Auriga's adaptive SAT prep improve an average of 150+ points toward their goal score

Stanford SAT Score Requirements — Class of 2030

Middle 50% SAT Range

1500–1570

3.7% acceptance rate

Typical Score Target

1535

Midpoint of middle 50%

Middle 50% ACT Range

34–36

ACT accepted equally

Test Policy

Test Optional

2024-2025

What the SAT Range Actually Means

The middle 50% range (1500–1570) means that 25% of admitted students scored below 1500 and 25% scored above 1570. This is not a minimum cutoff — it's a distribution. Students are admitted with scores across a wide range.

A score within the middle 50% means you are academically competitive. Whether you're admitted depends on the strength of your complete application — essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, and how you've used your opportunities.

A score above 1570 (the 75th percentile) removes academic metrics as an obstacle and lets your application compete on the strength of everything else. It does not guarantee admission at an institution as selective as Stanford.

Frequently Asked Questions

What SAT score do you need to get into Stanford?

Stanford's middle 50% SAT range is 1500–1570. There is no official minimum, but applicants with scores significantly below 1500 face a more difficult path at an institution with a 3.7% acceptance rate.

Is Stanford test optional?

Stanford is currently test optional. You may choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If your score is at or above the 25th percentile (1500), submitting it is generally beneficial.

What is the SAT score for the average admitted student at Stanford?

The midpoint of Stanford's middle 50% range is approximately 1535. However, roughly half of admitted students score above this, and half below — there is no single "average" that predicts admission.

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