First-Year Applicants

Source: https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/testing.html

Standardized Testing

Standardized testing is one of the application requirements that can highlight academic preparedness.

At Stanford, we review applications holistically, meaning every component of the application is valuable to us as we get to know each student. There are no minimum test scores required to be admitted to Stanford, and there is no score that guarantees admission.

Testing Requirements

ACT or SAT scores are required for first-year and transfer students.

• AP/IB/A-Levels:

• AP exams are not mandatory; however, if you have taken any AP exams, you are required to self-report all your AP scores in your application.

• Students currently enrolled in an IB Diploma program outside the U.S. are required to have a school official send us their predicted IB marks (including TOK/essay bonus points).
• Students currently enrolled in the British education system are required to have a school official send us their GCSE results and predicted A-Level marks for consideration. Generally, students applying to Stanford from the British education system will have taken at least three full A-Level courses (though they may not yet have taken the final examinations).

There are several free resources online to support you in your test preparation: ACT, Bluebook, College Board, Khan Academy and Schoolhouse.world.

Reporting ACT or SAT Test Scores

• Please self-report your highest ACT and/or SAT scores in the testing section of the application. We will review applications using either self-reported or official scores. You do not need to have official scores sent to Stanford for us to review your application. We will review applications using either self-reported or official scores.

• If you would like to have official scores sent, please use the following codes:

• SAT/TOEFL Code number: 4704

• ACT Code number: 0434
• If you are offered admission and choose to enroll, official scores for ACT and/or SAT scores that you self-reported will be required. In order for test scores to be considered official, they must be sent directly from the ACT or the College Board.

Stanford reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if an applicant's self-reported test scores do not align with those in the official score report.

Standardized Test Scores

Stanford does not have a preferred exam (ACT vs. SAT).

• For students in the Class of 2028 who submitted SAT scores, the middle 50 percent scored between 1510 and 1570.
• For students in the Class of 2028 who submitted ACT scores, the middle 50 percent scored between 34 and 35.

ACT and SAT scores were optional for the Class of 2028.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the deadlines for testing?

Latest Possible ACT Test Sitting:\ by the end of September (Restrictive Early Action) | by the end of December (Regular Decision)

Latest Possible SAT Test Sitting:\ by the end of October (Restrictive Early Action) | by the end of December (Regular Decision)

We recommend students take the ACT or SAT well in advance of application deadlines. It is unlikely that scores from tests taken after the deadlines will arrive in time for review. We cannot delay the review of an application in anticipation of scores that will arrive after the deadline nor can we guarantee that late scores will be reviewed.

What should I do if my test results arrive after I submit my application?

If your most recent ACT or SAT test results arrive after you submit your application, you can self-report these scores by logging in to your Stanford portal and filling out the Self-Report Test Scores form.

How can I self-report AP scores after I submit my application?

Once you submit your application, you can self-report additional AP scores by logging in to your Stanford portal and submitting the Self-Report Test Scores form.

What if I took an AP class but was unable to take the exam?

While we expect students to take the AP exam if they’ve taken the class, we understand there may be circumstances that prevent the exam from being taken. If this is the case, please let us know in the Additional Information section of the application. You may also let us know through the Update Application form in your Stanford portal .

How recent do my ACT or SAT results need to be?

We recommend sending ACT or SAT scores from within the past five years.

Does Stanford superscore test results?

We want you to have the best test representation possible, so we will review your results according to the following rubric:

• For the ACT, you may report the calculated ACT superscore in addition to your highest section scores.

• The ACT’s optional science section is also optional for Stanford’s application process. We will accept scores from both the original and redesigned versions of the ACT.

• For the SAT, we will superscore, focusing on the highest individual Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math scores from all test sittings.

• You may have taken a sitting with the essay and a separate sitting without the essay. We will superscore your Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math scores across these two versions of the exam.

Do I need to report my ACT or SAT writing/essay score?

The writing/essay sections of the ACT or SAT are optional for Stanford. You may report these scores if you would like.

Updated on December 4, 2025 7:24 AM