Does Stanford Require the SAT?

Stanford requires either SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate admission. The requirement returned for applications submitted from fall 2025 for entry in fall 2026. Applicants can choose either examination.

The fall 2025 entering class applied while testing was optional. Its score data therefore describe the students who submitted results, rather than the entire class. That distinction matters when comparing your score with the published range.

Stanford SAT Score Range

Among SAT submitters who enrolled in fall 2025, the middle 50% scored 1,520–1,570, with a median of 1,550. Stanford's 2025–26 Common Data Set reports:

SAT results were submitted by 1,022 students, or 55.57% of the first-year cohort. ACT results were submitted by 385 students, or 20.94%; a student may have submitted both.

The SAT total score combines two sections, each scored from 200 to 800. The university's section percentiles describe separate distributions: adding the Math and Reading and Writing medians does not calculate the median total for every cohort.

Is 1500 or 1550 Enough for Stanford?

Stanford sets no minimum SAT score. A 1,500 falls below the fall 2025 cohort's 25th percentile; 1,550 matches its median. Neither comparison determines an admission decision.

This is an enrolled-student profile, not a table of acceptance chances by score. It cannot tell you the percentage of applicants with 1,550 who were admitted: that would require applicant-level score and decision data.

Stanford also considers the academic record in context. Strong performance in demanding school courses is central to that review; the SAT does not replace the transcript.

Stanford SAT Superscore

Stanford combines your highest Reading and Writing and Math scores across SAT sittings.

In this example, the strongest sections come from different sittings. The combined result is 1,570, even though neither individual sitting produced that total.

Stanford GPA Requirements

Stanford does not set a minimum GPA. The fall 2025 enrolled students who reported a GPA had an average of 3.94. GPA data covered 69.60% of the cohort.

The 3.94 figure is an average, not a requirement that excludes every lower GPA. Stanford places particular attention on grades 10 and 11, final-year grades and the strength of the courses available at your school.

Indian board marks do not need to be converted into an American GPA. Send school records in their original grading system; Stanford evaluates the school curriculum and local context.

Stanford Acceptance Rate

For fall 2025 first-year entry, Stanford admitted 2,302 of 60,646 applicants. That gives an admission rate of approximately 3.80%.

The 1,839 enrolments exclude students who deferred from an earlier year, as specified in this admission table. Enrolled students are only those admitted students who joined; dividing enrolments by applications would not produce the admission rate.

These figures cover the overall first-year pool. They are not an India-specific acceptance rate and do not describe an individual applicant's chances.

How to Submit SAT Scores to Stanford

Self-report scores in the application. An official College Board report is required if you are admitted and choose to enrol. Stanford's SAT reporting code is 4704.

Results received after you apply can be entered through the Stanford portal's Self-Report Test Scores form. Keep the reported section scores and test dates consistent with the official records.

Application and Testing Deadlines

For the application cycle open in October 2026, the standard first-year deadlines are 1 November for Restrictive Early Action and 5 January for Regular Decision. Submission closes at 11:59 p.m. in your local time zone.

Arts applicants have earlier application and portfolio deadlines, but school documents can follow by the standard deadline. A late test result is not guaranteed to be reviewed.

Other First-Year Application Requirements

The first-year application includes:

• Common Application and Stanford responses
• USD 100 application fee or a fee-waiver request
• ACT or SAT results
• School Report and counsellor recommendation
• Official transcripts or academic results
• Recommendations from two academic teachers
• Midyear transcript, due 15 February

For documents in another language, submit an English translation and the original where applicable. The applicant cannot translate the documents personally; a school official can help.

English fluency is required, but Stanford does not require a separate English proficiency examination for undergraduate admission. Financial-aid requests from international citizens can affect admission consideration. Applicants needing aid should declare that need when applying.

Compare your profilescores, GPA and admission data Submit your applicationscore reporting, dates and documents

1. Score ranges
2. Superscore example
3. GPA and school marks
4. Admission numbers

1. Send SAT scores
2. Application dates
3. Document checklist