Cornell Office ofUndergraduate Admissions

Source: https://admissions.cornell.edu/policies/standardized-testing-policy Parent: https://admissions.cornell.edu/how-to-apply/first-year-applicants

Standardized Testing Policy

Cornell has reinstituted standardized testing requirements for first-year students seeking undergraduate admission. After a multi-year study conducted by the university’s Task Force on Standardized Testing in Admissions, data showed that when reviewed in context with other application materials—such as GPA, academic rigor, extracurricular engagement, essays, and letters of recommendation—test scores help to create a more complete picture of an individual applicant. Cornell considers all applicants holistically, which means we look at all the elements of an application during our review.

First-year Applicants

Effective for students applying for Fall 2026 or beyond, first-year applicants will be required to submit standardized test scores. Students can self-report their scores in their application, matriculating students will be required to provide official scores upon enrolling at Cornell.

For the SAT, Cornell considers the highest section scores across test dates, and participates in the College Board Score Choice program. For the ACT, Cornell can consider the ACT-provided superscore and your highest section scores across all dates. (Be sure to use the superscore option when sending your official scores.) The science section of the ACT is not required.

Cornell’s SAT code is 2098, and our ACT code is 2726.

Transfer Applicants

SAT or ACT scores are neither required nor expected for transfer applicants.