Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University SAT and ACT Requirements
Carnegie Mellon University is test-flexible for the 2026-27 cycle. The middle 50% of enrolled first-year students scored 1500 to 1570 on the SAT and 34 to 35 on the ACT.
2026-27 policy
Test-Flexible
SAT middle 50%
1500–1570
ACT middle 50%
34–35
Acceptance rate
12%
Carnegie Mellon University SAT scores by section
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 730 | 770 |
| Math | 770 | 800 |
| Total | 1500 | 1570 |
| ACT Composite | 34 | 35 |
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 1500: lower than three quarters of enrolled students. A retake has the most upside here.
- 1500 to 1570: in line with the class. The rest of your application decides it.
- Above 1570: higher than three quarters of enrolled students. Testing is no longer what holds the application back.
Keep these numbers
Frequently asked questions
Does Carnegie Mellon University require the SAT or ACT?
Carnegie Mellon University is test-flexible for the 2026-27 cycle. Policy varies by college, not a single blanket rule: School of Computer Science REQUIRES an SAT/ACT score; College of Engineering, Dietrich College, Heinz College (Info Systems), Mellon College of Science, and Tepper are 'test flexible' — applicants must submit some standardized evidence (SAT, ACT, AP, IB, A-Level, or French Bac); College of Fine Arts is test-optional (portfolio/audition instead). No future change announced.
What SAT score do you need for Carnegie Mellon University?
The published range is not a cutoff. Among enrolled first-year students, a quarter scored below 1500, half scored between 1500 and 1570, and a quarter scored above 1570. A score at or above 1570 puts you ahead of most of the class on testing; a score below 1500 works against you.
What ACT score do you need for Carnegie Mellon University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 34 to 35 on the ACT. On the official conversion table that is an SAT 1500 to 1540.
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: Carnegie Mellon University admissions, verified for 2026-27.
