8 schools · SAT 1470–1580

Ivy League SAT Score Requirements

The short answer

Across all eight Ivy League schools the middle 50% of admitted students scores between 1470 and 1580 on the SAT. Harvard, Yale and Princeton sit at the top of that band, while Cornell is the most reachable at a 1470 25th percentile. A 1500 sits inside the middle 50% at all eight; below 1470 you are in the bottom quartile everywhere in the league.

All 8 schools compared

School	25th	75th	Average	Math	R&W	GPA	Accept
HarvardCambridge, MA	1500	1580	1540	760–800	740–780	4.18	3.4%
PrincetonPrinceton, NJ	1500	1580	1540	760–800	740–780	4.16	4.0%
UPennPhiladelphia, PA	1500	1570	1535	760–800	740–780	4.13	4.9%
BrownProvidence, RI	1500	1570	1535	750–800	740–780	4.09	5.1%
YaleNew Haven, CT	1490	1580	1535	750–800	740–780	4.14	4.4%
ColumbiaNew York, NY	1490	1570	1530	760–800	730–780	4.13	3.9%
DartmouthHanover, NH	1490	1560	1525	750–800	730–780	4.11	5.3%
CornellIthaca, NY	1470	1560	1515	750–800	720–770	4.07	7.3%

25th and 75th percentile composite scores of admitted students, with Math and Reading & Writing section ranges. Sorted most selective first. Percentiles describe the admitted class, not a cutoff.

How to read these numbers

The Ivy League is the tightest score band in American admissions. Seven of the eight schools have a 75th percentile of 1560 or higher, which means a quarter of admitted students at each are scoring within 40 points of a perfect 1600. That compression matters for how you should read these numbers: the gap between a 1500 and a 1560 is only 60 points on paper, but it moves you from the bottom quartile to the top quartile of the admitted pool.

Section splits are where the Ivies differ from the STEM-heavy schools. The Math 75th percentile is 800 at all eight, with Reading & Writing at 770–780, so a lopsided score hurts more here than at a school that weights one section. If your Math is at 780 and your Reading & Writing is at 700, your composite may look competitive while your profile does not.

Test policy is the variable that changes fastest. Several Ivies reinstated a testing requirement for recent classes after a test-optional period, and the per-school policy listed further down reflects the most recent published position. Always confirm against the school’s own admissions page before you decide not to submit — a policy that changed once can change again.

The practical read: treat the 75th percentile as your target rather than the 25th. At acceptance rates between 3.4% and 7.3%, a score in the bottom quartile of the admitted range does not make you competitive; it makes you dependent on the rest of your application carrying the entire file.

School by school

Harvard University

1500–1580 · 3.4% accepted

The middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students at Harvard University is 1500 to 1580 (Math: 760–800, Reading & Writing: 740–780). An SAT score of 1580 places you in the 75th percentile, while a score below 1500 is in the bottom 25% of admitted applicants.

Harvard University reinstated standardized test requirements starting with the Class of 2029. With an acceptance rate of ~3.4%, achieving a 1540+ composite score is essential for a competitive application profile.

Testing policy

Standardized testing required (reinstated for Class of 2029+)

Target an 800 on SAT Math — over 50% of admitted Harvard students score between 780 and 800 in Math.

Eliminate careless mistakes in Standard English Conventions to secure a 750+ on Reading & Writing.

Take 5+ full-length Bluebook-style adaptive tests to ensure stamina across all 4 modules.

Princeton University

1500–1580 · 4.0% accepted

Princeton University admitted students typically present SAT scores between 1500 and 1580. The 25th percentile score is 1500, and the 75th percentile score is 1580.

Princeton maintains rigorous academic standards. Submitting a score above 1540 significantly strengthens an applicant's academic index.

Testing policy

Test optional through 2025–2026; submit 1520+ if available

Drill all 8 College Board domains systematically on Prepvora to identify weak spots early.

University of Pennsylvania

1500–1570 · 4.9% accepted

The middle 50% SAT range for UPenn is 1500 to 1570. For Wharton School applicants, Math scores typically cluster at 780–800.

UPenn and the Wharton School of Business place heavy emphasis on quantitative excellence. A 1530+ composite is recommended.

Testing policy

Test-optional

Wharton applicants should aim for an 800 in Math and complete all Advanced Math and Problem-Solving drills.

Brown University

1500–1570 · 5.1% accepted

Brown University requires standardized tests for Fall 2025/2026 admissions, with admitted students posting a middle 50% SAT range of 1500 to 1570.

Brown reinstated standardized test requirements alongside Harvard, MIT, and Dartmouth. A 1530+ is recommended for a balanced application.

Testing policy

Standardized tests required (reinstated for Class of 2029+)

Ensure high accuracy on Expression of Ideas and rhetorical synthesis questions.

Yale University

1490–1580 · 4.4% accepted

Yale University has a middle 50% SAT range of 1490 to 1580 for enrolled undergraduates (Math: 750–800, Reading & Writing: 740–780).

Yale adopted a test-flexible policy requiring standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, AP, or IB). A score of 1530+ is strongly recommended.

Testing policy

Test-flexible policy requiring SAT, ACT, AP, or IB scores

Focus on textual evidence synthesis questions to secure a 760+ Reading & Writing score.

Columbia University

1490–1570 · 3.9% accepted

The middle 50% SAT score range at Columbia University is 1490 to 1570. Admitted students average 760–800 in Math and 730–780 in Reading & Writing.

Located in New York City, Columbia attracts applicants globally. High SAT scores validate academic readiness for Columbia's famous Core Curriculum.

Testing policy

Test-optional

Master semicolon and comma splice rules to lock in 100% accuracy in Standard English Conventions.

Dartmouth College

1490–1560 · 5.3% accepted

The middle 50% SAT range at Dartmouth College is 1490 to 1560. Dartmouth strictly requires standardized test submissions from all applicants.

Dartmouth’s internal faculty research concluded that standardized test scores provide the single most reliable predictor of academic success.

Testing policy

Standardized testing required

Take advantage of superscoring by testing twice.

Cornell University

1470–1560 · 7.3% accepted

The middle 50% SAT range for Cornell University is 1470 to 1560 (Math: 750–800, Reading & Writing: 720–770).

Cornell reinstated test requirements for multiple undergraduate colleges including the College of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences.

Testing policy

Standardized tests required for Engineering and Arts & Sciences

Engineering applicants should prioritize 780+ on the Math section.

Frequently asked questions

What SAT score do you need for the Ivy League?

Aim for 1540 or higher. The middle 50% across the eight Ivy League schools runs 1470–1580, and the average admitted score at most of them sits near 1530–1540. A 1540 places you comfortably inside the admitted range at every school in the league.

Which Ivy League school has the lowest SAT requirement?

Cornell, with a 25th percentile of 1470 and a 7.3% acceptance rate — the most accessible numbers in the league. Dartmouth and Yale follow at a 1490 25th percentile.

Can you get into an Ivy League school with a 1400?

It is possible but difficult. A 1400 sits below the 25th percentile at all eight schools, meaning more than 75% of admitted students scored higher. Applicants admitted with a 1400 typically bring an exceptional hook — recruited athletics, national-level achievement, or a significant institutional priority.

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