Penn State
Penn State SAT and ACT Requirements
Penn State is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. The middle 50% of enrolled first-year students scored 1240 to 1420 on the SAT and 27 to 32 on the ACT.
2026-27 policy
Test-Optional
SAT middle 50%
1240–1420
ACT middle 50%
27–32
Acceptance rate
61%
Penn State SAT scores by section
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 620 | 700 |
| Math | 620 | 720 |
| Total | 1240 | 1420 |
| 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 1240: 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.
- 1240 to 1420: in line with the class. The rest of your application decides it.
- Above 1420: higher than three quarters of enrolled students. Testing is no longer what holds the application back.
Keep these numbers
Frequently asked questions
Does Penn State require the SAT or ACT?
Penn State is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. "First-year Penn State applicants for Spring, Summer, or Fall are able to choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their applications." Self-reported scores accepted via MyPennState.
What SAT score do you need for Penn State?
The published range is not a cutoff. Among enrolled first-year students, a quarter scored below 1240, half scored between 1240 and 1420, and a quarter scored above 1420. A score at or above 1420 puts you ahead of most of the class on testing; a score below 1240 works against you.
What ACT score do you need for Penn State?
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: Penn State admissions, verified for 2026-27.
