Test Scores Are Back in the Spotlight

Over the past few years, many families felt they could set standardized testing aside. Test-optional policies spread rapidly during the pandemic, and schools reassured applicants that grades and essays were the most important factors. That message is changing again.

Today, more selective universities are moving back toward requiring SAT or ACT scores. MIT never stopped. Yale, Dartmouth, Brown, and Harvard have recently reinstated testing policies. Even schools that remain test-optional often admit students with strong scores at higher rates. The pattern is clear: standardized tests are regaining importance in the admissions process.

Why? Because scores provide something admissions officers need: a common measure across thousands of high schools. Grades can be inflated, course rigor varies, and essays are subjective. Strong SAT or ACT results show readiness for college-level work in a way that can be compared across applicants.

This does not mean that tests define you. Colleges review the whole story of your application—grades, activities, essays, recommendations, and experiences. But in an era of record-high application numbers, top quartile test scores can help your application stand out.

Why Aim for the Top Quartile?

Families often ask whether their student should just aim for the average score at a college. The truth is that average scores rarely move the needle. To make the strongest impact, you want your scores at or above the 75th percentile of admitted students—the top quartile.

Here’s why:

1. Context for GPA. A high score confirms that your transcript reflects real academic ability, not just local grading practices.
2. Stronger position in selective pools. At schools where most applicants look similar on paper, a top quartile score gives admissions officers an extra reason to advocate for you.
3. Scholarship opportunities. Many schools use top quartile scores to award merit aid or offer admission into honors programs.
4. Early Decision advantage. When you apply early to a competitive school, strong scores help offset the smaller, highly qualified pool.

If you are serious about using testing as a positive factor, aim for the top quartile. That is the benchmark that has the greatest impact.

Target Scores by Selectivity

The Most Selective (Admit Rate 0–15 Percent)

• SAT target: 1560–1570 or higher
• ACT target: 35

Examples: Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, UCLA, University of Virginia. Nearly every applicant here has top grades and activities. A top quartile score ensures you remain competitive in a crowd where everyone shines.

Very Selective (Admit Rate 16–25 Percent)

• SAT target: 1520–1540
• ACT target: 33–34

Examples: Emory University, University of Southern California, University of Michigan. These schools expect excellent preparation. A top quartile score adds credibility to your transcript and confirms that you can thrive in a demanding environment.

Selective (Admit Rate 26–45 Percent)

• SAT target: 1450–1510
• ACT target: 32–34

Examples: University of Texas at Austin, Boston University, Villanova. For majors like business at UT Austin or computer science at BU, top quartile scores are critical. A strong test result can mean the difference between being admitted to your first-choice major or redirected to a less competitive program.

Moderately Selective (Admit Rate 46–60 Percent)

• SAT target: 1340–1420
• ACT target: 28–32

Examples: Baylor University, Loyola Marymount, University of Oregon. In this range, top quartile scores can provide both an admissions boost and merit scholarships. Many students find these targets demanding but realistic with steady preparation.

Accessible (Admit Rate 61 Percent and Higher)

• SAT target: 1220–1320
• ACT target: 26–30

Examples: Texas State University, University of Arizona, University of Vermont. These schools admit most applicants, but top quartile scores can unlock honors programs and significant scholarship dollars.

The Special Role of Math Scores in Competitive Majors

When it comes to selective majors like computer science, engineering, and business, admissions officers look especially closely at your math performance. It is not enough to have a high composite score. You also need your math score at or above the 75th percentile for the schools on your list.

Why math matters:

• Computer Science and Engineering. These programs demand advanced quantitative ability. High SAT Math or ACT Math subscores reassure admissions officers that you are prepared for rigorous coursework in calculus, statistics, and beyond. For example, MIT, Carnegie Mellon, and Georgia Tech place heavy weight on math results.
• Business. Strong math performance signals readiness for finance, accounting, and economics courses. At schools like UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business or Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania, a top quartile math score can set you apart from thousands of talented applicants.
• STEM Scholarships. Many universities tie scholarships in STEM to math subscores, not just overall results.

Practical takeaway: If your child is aiming for these majors, make math the anchor of their testing plan. For the SAT, that often means targeting 780 or higher. For the ACT, it means aiming for 34 or higher in math. Even students with near-perfect composite scores may find admissions tougher if the math section lags.

Early Decision and Testing Strategy

Early Decision shifts the testing timeline. Applications are due in November, which means students need to have scores ready earlier.

• Finish testing early. Plan to complete SAT or ACT by June of junior year or September of senior year at the latest.
• Higher expectations. At schools like Duke, Vanderbilt, and Northwestern, where a large share of the class is admitted through ED, top quartile scores (SAT 1520+, ACT 34) make a measurable difference.
• Strategic choices. Even at less selective ED schools such as Tulane or American, top quartile scores show commitment and boost chances in the smaller applicant pool.

If you are considering ED, align your testing plan to be fully ready by the start of senior year.

Best Practices for Testing Success

• Pick one test. Take practice versions of the SAT and ACT in sophomore summer. Choose the test that feels stronger and stick with it.
• Plan your dates. Most students perform best in spring of junior year and fall of senior year. Avoid testing too early, when you may not be ready.
• Take practice tests. Proctored, full-length practice exams build endurance and confidence. Aim for 2–4 over the course of your prep.
• Retake wisely. Most students improve on their second test. A third attempt is fine if you are still improving, but constant retesting can lead to burnout.
• Balance with academics. Your transcript carries the most weight. Testing should complement, not compromise, your grades.

More Than Numbers

It is important to remember that colleges evaluate more than test scores and transcripts. Admissions officers practice holistic review, which means they weigh essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, leadership, and character. They look for students who will contribute to the campus community and reflect the mission of the institution.

As one admissions dean said, “We are not admitting test scores. We are building a class.” Your SAT or ACT matters, but so does your story.