Claremont McKenna
Claremont McKenna SAT and ACT Requirements
Claremont McKenna is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. The middle 50% of enrolled first-year students scored 1470 to 1560 on the SAT and 33 to 35 on the ACT.
2026-27 policy
Test-Optional
SAT middle 50%
1470–1560
ACT middle 50%
33–35
Acceptance rate
9.6%
Announced change: required from Fall 2028 admission cycle (fall 2028 entry)
Claremont McKenna SAT scores by section
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 720 | 770 |
| Math | 750 | 790 |
| Total | 1470 | 1560 |
| ACT Composite | 33 | 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 1470: 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.
- 1470 to 1560: in line with the class. The rest of your application decides it.
- Above 1560: higher than three quarters of enrolled students. Testing is no longer what holds the application back.
Keep these numbers
Frequently asked questions
Does Claremont McKenna require the SAT or ACT?
Claremont McKenna is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. CMC extended its test-optional policy through the Fall 2027 entry cycle (the current 2026-27 application cycle). CMC's own FAQ states it 'will return to a test-required policy for the Fall 2028 admission cycle.'
What SAT score do you need for Claremont McKenna?
The published range is not a cutoff. Among enrolled first-year students, a quarter scored below 1470, half scored between 1470 and 1560, and a quarter scored above 1560. A score at or above 1560 puts you ahead of most of the class on testing; a score below 1470 works against you.
What ACT score do you need for Claremont McKenna?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 33 to 35 on the ACT. On the official conversion table that is an SAT 1460 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: Claremont McKenna admissions, verified for 2026-27.
