WashU

WashU SAT and ACT Requirements

WashU is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. The middle 50% of enrolled first-year students scored 1500 to 1570 on the SAT and 33 to 35 on the ACT.

2026-27 policy

Test-Optional

SAT middle 50%

1500–1570

ACT middle 50%

33–35

Acceptance rate

12%

WashU SAT scores by section

Section	25th percentile	75th percentile
Reading and Writing	730	770
Math	770	800
Total	1500	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 1500: 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.
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.

Other colleges where a 1500 is in range Other colleges where a 1570 is in range Convert an ACT score

Keep these numbers

Email me WashU's score ranges

The ranges on this page, plus a link to compare them with every other college we track.

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Frequently asked questions

Does WashU require the SAT or ACT?

WashU is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. "We are continuing our test-optional policy" for fall 2027 applicants; neither SAT/ACT writing nor Subject Tests required; no future change announced.

What SAT score do you need for WashU?

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 WashU?

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: WashU admissions, verified for 2026-27.