Freshman Requirements & Process

Testing Requirements

The ACT Plus Writing or the SAT (Critical Reading, Math and Writing) is required of all undergraduate applicants. Please be aware of the following guidelines:

• We do not accept test substitutions, and applications without SAT or ACT with Combined English/Writing scores will not be considered for admission, except for students living in countries where these tests are not offered (e.g., the People's Republic of China, Iran).
• If you are currently residing, or attending school, in a country where the ACT Plus Writing or the SAT is offered, you are required to take either test, self-report, and submit official test results to Stanford by the stated application deadlines.
• If English is not your native language, we recommend but do not require the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
• SAT Subject Tests are strongly recommended but not required for admission. We recommend taking at least two SAT Subject Tests, as such information will assist us in our evaluation process. Applicants, however, who choose not to take SAT Subject Tests will not be at a disadvantage in the admission process.
• Applicants must self-report and submit all SAT scores OR all ACT scores. After you decide which testing agency will send your scores, applicants cannot elect to use the College Board's Score Choice or elect to "hide" any scores with either testing agency. The only exception to this rule would be tests taken for the purpose of talent programs in middle or junior high school (e.g. Johns Hopkins Center for Talent Youth, Duke University's Talent Identification Program, etc.). Those test scores do not have to be sent to Stanford. Applicants may also selectively submit whatever SAT Subject Test scores they choose, as those scores are not required for admission.
• Stanford recognizes that the ACT organization charges for each individual score report sent to colleges and universities. If the cost associated with the submission of all ACT scores presents a financial hardship for your family, you may simply send one score report and self-report the remainder of your ACT scores. All official scores will be required if you are offered admission.
• For the SAT, we will focus on the highest individual Writing, highest Math, and highest Critical Reading score we receive from across test sittings.
• For the ACT, we will focus on the highest Composite score, as well as the highest Combined English/Writing score. If a student takes the ACT more than once, we will mix and match to focus on the highest Composite score and the highest Combined English/Writing Score. We will also be sensitive to individual sub-scores.
• Since we do not require AP or IB examination scores, you may elect to self-report and submit whatever AP or IB examination scores you choose.
• We recommend students make arrangements to take the required tests well in advance of our application deadlines. It is unlikely that scores from tests taken after our deadlines will arrive in our office in time for our review process. We will certainly review any scores we receive (even if they arrive after the deadline) but we cannot promise to delay the review of an application in anticipation of scores that will arrive at a later date.