Harvard University
Harvard University SAT and ACT Requirements
Harvard University requires SAT or ACT scores for the 2026-27 cycle. The middle 50% of enrolled first-year students scored 1510 to 1580 on the SAT and 34 to 36 on the ACT.
2026-27 policy
Required
SAT middle 50%
1510–1580
ACT middle 50%
34–36
Acceptance rate
3.6%
Harvard University SAT scores by section
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 740 | 780 |
| Math | 770 | 800 |
| Total | 1510 | 1580 |
| ACT Composite | 34 | 36 |
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 1510: lower than three quarters of enrolled students. A retake has the most upside here.
- 1510 to 1580: in line with the class. The rest of your application decides it.
- Above 1580: higher than three quarters of enrolled students. Testing is no longer what holds the application back.
Keep these numbers
Frequently asked questions
Does Harvard University require the SAT or ACT?
Harvard University requires SAT or ACT scores for the 2026-27 cycle. Harvard requires SAT or ACT scores, reinstated for the Class of 2029 cycle and already in effect for 2026-27. In exceptional cases where SAT/ACT is inaccessible, applicants may submit AP, IB, GCSE/A-Level, or national leaving-exam results instead.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard University?
The published range is not a cutoff. Among enrolled first-year students, a quarter scored below 1510, half scored between 1510 and 1580, and a quarter scored above 1580. A score at or above 1580 puts you ahead of most of the class on testing; a score below 1510 works against you.
What ACT score do you need for Harvard University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 34 to 36 on the ACT. On the official conversion table that is an SAT 1500 to 1590.
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: Harvard University admissions, verified for 2026-27.
