Testing

Required Testing

The ACT Plus Writing or the SAT (Critical Reading, Math and Writing) is required. Official scores from all test dates must be sent to Stanford directly from the ACT or the College Board (the reporting agency for the SAT) or both if the applicant has taken the ACT and the SAT. Score reports must arrive by the appropriate application deadline.

Applications without official scores from either the SAT or the ACT Plus Writing will not be considered. We do not accept test substitutions. International students who are unable to take either test should review our guidelines for testing exemptions.

Additional guidelines:

• Applicants must self-report and submit all SAT scores and all ACT scores. Applicants may not use the College Board's Score Choice feature or "hide" any scores with either testing agency. The only exceptions are tests taken for the purpose of talent programs in middle or junior high school (for example, Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth and Duke University's Talent Identification Program). These test scores do not have to be sent to Stanford.
  
• Stanford recognizes that the ACT charges a fee for each score report. If the cost associated with the submission of all ACT scores presents a financial hardship, 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.

Superscoring Test Results

• For the SAT, we will focus on the highest individual Critical Reading, Math and Writing scores from all test sittings.
• For the ACT, we will focus on the highest Composite and the highest Combined English/Writing scores from all test sittings. We will also consider individual subscores.

Recommended Testing

• SAT Subject Tests are recommended but not required. Applicants who do not take SAT Subject Tests will not be at a disadvantage. Because SAT Subject Tests are optional, applicants may use Score Choice to selectively send their SAT Subject Test scores.
• AP examination scores are recommended but not required. If you have these scores, we recommend you self-report them on the Common Application. You may report any scores you choose.
• If English is not your native language, we recommend, but do not require, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL cannot replace the SAT or ACT Plus Writing.

Late Test Scores

We recommend students take the required tests well in advance of the application deadlines. It is unlikely that scores from tests taken after the deadlines will arrive in time for review. Similarly, please allow sufficient time for official scores to arrive by the application deadlines. 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.