Baylor
Baylor SAT and ACT Requirements
Baylor is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. The middle 50% of enrolled first-year students scored 1200 to 1400 on the SAT and 27 to 32 on the ACT.
2026-27 policy
Test-Optional
SAT middle 50%
1200–1400
ACT middle 50%
27–32
Acceptance rate
51%
Baylor SAT scores by section
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 610 | 700 |
| Math | 590 | 700 |
| Total | 1200 | 1400 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 32 |
The total is the sum of the section percentiles, the standard way to estimate a middle 50% for the combined score.
Where your score puts you
- Below 1200: lower than three quarters of enrolled students. A retake has the most upside here, and at a test-optional school you can also leave the score off.
- 1200 to 1400: in line with the class. The rest of your application decides it.
- Above 1400: higher than three quarters of enrolled students. Testing is no longer what holds the application back.
Keep these numbers
Frequently asked questions
Does Baylor require the SAT or ACT?
Baylor is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. Official page states: 'We holistically review a student's entire application and have no minimum GPA or SAT/ACT requirements for admission,' and separately that 'Baylor values standardized test scores as distinguishing factors' and encourages submission. Notably, Baylor's policy page explicitly states 'this policy remains subject to change.' Exceptions requiring test scores: homeschooled students, students from schools with narrative-only evaluations, and students graduating high school early.
What SAT score do you need for Baylor?
The published range is not a cutoff. Among enrolled first-year students, a quarter scored below 1200, half scored between 1200 and 1400, and a quarter scored above 1400. A score at or above 1400 puts you ahead of most of the class on testing; a score below 1200 works against you.
What ACT score do you need for Baylor?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 27 to 32 on the ACT. On the official conversion table that is an SAT 1280 to 1430.
Score ranges: College Scorecard API — U.S. Department of Education (api.data.gov) and Editorial overrides layer (overrides.json) — Common Data Set & institutional sources. They describe students who enrolled, not everyone admitted. Test policy: Baylor admissions, verified for 2026-27.
