Northwestern
Northwestern SAT and ACT Requirements
Northwestern is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. The middle 50% of enrolled first-year students scored 1510 to 1570 on the SAT and 33 to 35 on the ACT.
2026-27 policy
Test-Optional
SAT middle 50%
1510–1570
ACT middle 50%
33–35
Acceptance rate
7.7%
Northwestern SAT scores by section
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 740 | 770 |
| Math | 770 | 800 |
| Total | 1510 | 1570 |
| 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 1510: 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.
- 1510 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 Northwestern require the SAT or ACT?
Northwestern is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. Northwestern's official FAQ states it 'is test-optional and does not require ACT or SAT scores from first-year or transfer candidates' — confirmed current for the 2026-27 cycle. No future required-testing change found.
What SAT score do you need for Northwestern?
The published range is not a cutoff. Among enrolled first-year students, a quarter scored below 1510, half scored between 1510 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 1510 works against you.
What ACT score do you need for Northwestern?
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: Northwestern admissions, verified for 2026-27.
