Yale University
Yale University SAT and ACT Requirements
Yale University requires SAT or ACT scores for the 2026-27 cycle. The middle 50% of enrolled first-year students scored 1470 to 1570 on the SAT and 33 to 35 on the ACT.
2026-27 policy
Required
SAT middle 50%
1470–1570
ACT middle 50%
33–35
Acceptance rate
3.9%
Yale University SAT scores by section
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 730 | 780 |
| Math | 740 | 790 |
| Total | 1470 | 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 1470: lower than three quarters of enrolled students. A retake has the most upside here.
- 1470 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 Yale University require the SAT or ACT?
Yale University requires SAT or ACT scores for the 2026-27 cycle. Yale announced May 27, 2026 that it is ending its 'test-flexible' policy: beginning with the 2026-27 admissions cycle (Class of 2031, fall 2027 entry — the CURRENT cycle), all first-year and transfer applicants must submit an SAT or ACT score. AP/IB scores may still be submitted alongside a required SAT/ACT score, but can no longer substitute for one.
What SAT score do you need for Yale University?
The published range is not a cutoff. Among enrolled first-year students, a quarter scored below 1470, half scored between 1470 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 1470 works against you.
What ACT score do you need for Yale University?
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: Yale University admissions, verified for 2026-27.
