Emory SAT Scores, ACT Scores and Test Policy (2026)

Emory's SAT and ACT ranges from its latest Common Data Set and its Class of 2030 profile, how Emory College and Oxford College compare, the test-optional policy for fall 2027 entry, and the last test dates that still count.

Emory SAT scores are high: among first-years who enrolled in fall 2025 and submitted the SAT, the middle 50 percent scored 1480 to 1540, with a median of 1510, and ACT submitters scored 33 to 35, according to Emory's Common Data Set 2025-2026. Sending them is optional: "Emory University is test optional for first-year students who would start in fall 2027", Emory says, and the policy covers the whole 2026-27 cycle at both Emory College and Oxford College.

Below are both sets of numbers Emory publishes (enrolled students in the Common Data Set, and the Class of 2030 profile split by college), what they mean for whether you should submit, and the Early Decision II and Regular Decision testing deadlines.

Emory SAT and ACT Scores of Enrolled First-Years

The Common Data Set (CDS) is the standard report colleges file every year, and its section C9 gives the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile scores of enrolled first-years who submitted a test. Emory's latest is the Common Data Set 2025-2026, covering students who enrolled in fall 2025. It reports Emory University as one institution and does not split Emory College from Oxford College.

Of the 1,443 first-years who enrolled, 47 percent (671 students) submitted the SAT and 21 percent (302 students) submitted the ACT; some sent both, so the CDS does not say how many sent neither. The ranges describe those submitters only, who tend to be the stronger testers, so they are not a cutoff for the whole class.

Math is where Emory's submitters stand out: a median of 780 and a 75th percentile of 790, against 740 and 760 in Reading and Writing. Section percentiles do not add up to the total, because the student at the 25th percentile in one section is rarely the same student at the 25th percentile overall.

Emory College vs Oxford College: Class of 2030 Scores

Emory has two first-year entry points. Emory College of Arts and Sciences is on the Atlanta campus. Oxford College is on its own campus in Covington, Georgia. One Common Application can go to either college or both. Emory's student profile page splits the newest class, the Class of 2030 (entering fall 2026), by college. Its data is "as of June 2026", and the page does not say whether the score ranges describe admitted or enrolled students, so read them beside the CDS table above, not as the same measure.

The two colleges are close on scores. Oxford's ranges start a step lower (1490 vs 1500 on the SAT, 33 vs 34 on the ACT) and its admit rate is a point higher, but a student who is a stretch for Emory College is usually still a reach for Oxford. Applying to both on one application is the practical way to widen your odds at Emory.

For the whole university, the CDS 2025-2026 counts 37,561 first-year applicants for fall 2025, 3,869 admitted and 1,443 enrolled. That is a 10.3 percent admit rate by our arithmetic. Of 4,728 Early Decision applicants that year, 1,049 were admitted, about 22 percent, though the ED pool is not the same as the regular one. Emory also offered 7,608 students a waiting list place and admitted 274 of them.

Is Emory Test Optional for Fall 2027?

Yes. Emory's exam policy page says the 2026-27 cycle is test optional, for first-year students who would start in fall 2027. Its FAQ, whose answer is already worded for students who plan to enroll in fall 2028, says the policy covers both Emory College and Oxford College, both Early Decision rounds and Regular Decision, and merit scholarship consideration, including the Emory Scholar Programs. Students who apply without scores "will not be disadvantaged," the FAQ says, and do not have to explain why. A current junior can read that fall 2028 wording as a sign the policy continues, but should confirm on Emory's exam page next summer before deciding to skip testing.

How Emory handles scores you do send:

• It asks first. The application asks whether you want SAT or ACT scores considered. If you answer no, Emory will not look at any scores, even ones that arrive on your transcript. You can change the answer in the applicant portal until a cutoff Emory gives each decision plan.
• It superscores both tests. For the SAT, Emory takes your highest section scores across every sitting you send. For the ACT, it averages your best subject scores from all submitted attempts. Our ACT superscore guide explains how an ACT superscore is built.
• ACT Science is your call. Emory accepts the ACT with or without the Science section and considers the highest composite either way. The ACT writing section is not required.
• Self-reporting is fine. Report scores on the Common Application or in your applicant portal. Admitted students who enroll send official scores for verification in June or July.
• Codes: Emory's SAT code is 5187 and its ACT code is 0810.

Should You Send Your SAT or ACT Score to Emory?

Emory publishes no threshold of its own, so this is our reading of its numbers, not an Emory rule:

• 1480+ SAT or 33+ ACT: send it. You are at or above the 25th percentile of enrolled submitters, and Emory's FAQ says it expects test scores to keep demonstrating academic preparation.
• About 1420 to 1470 SAT or 32 ACT: a judgment call. You sit just under the middle 50. A very strong math score inside that total, or a transcript heavy in advanced courses, makes sending more reasonable.
• Below about 1420 SAT, or an ACT of 31 or lower: most applicants are better served applying without scores. Emory says it then leans even more heavily on personal statements, short answers, recommendations and the transcript.

Emory's first-year page also says strong grades in advanced courses can offset lower scores, while high scores alone cannot make up for poor grades. For the general version of this decision, see our guide to deciding whether to submit SAT scores, and for where these numbers sit nationally, Is 1500 a good SAT score? and Is a 34 a good ACT score?

Emory Deadlines and the Last Test Dates That Count

Emory has two binding Early Decision rounds and Regular Decision, and the CDS confirms it has no Early Action plan. Dates are from Emory's plans and deadlines page and its exam policy page.

What that means this month:

• Early Decision I applicants who took the November 7 SAT get scores on November 20, and Emory says November scores typically arrive in time. Send them as soon as they post.
• Early Decision II and Regular Decision applicants in the US have two fall dates left: the December 5 SAT (register by November 20, late registration to November 24, scores December 18) and the December 12 ACT (regular registration extended to November 9, late registration to November 29, initial scores December 17 for online testers and December 22 for paper testers). For ED II, the scores must be sent before January 1. The February 27 ACT is too late for any Emory round. See our SAT test dates page and the 7-week plan for the December 5 SAT.
• Both Early Decision plans bind. You can apply ED to one Emory college and Regular Decision to the other. Our Early Decision 2 guide covers how ED II works across colleges.

Frequently Asked Questions About Emory SAT and ACT Scores

What SAT score do you need for Emory?

There is no minimum. Enrolled fall 2025 first-years who submitted the SAT had a middle 50 percent of 1480 to 1540 and a median of 1510. Emory's Class of 2030 profile lists 1500 to 1550 for Emory College and 1490 to 1550 for Oxford College.

What ACT score do you need for Emory?

Enrolled fall 2025 first-years who submitted the ACT had a middle 50 percent of 33 to 35, with a median of 34. The Class of 2030 profile lists 34 to 35 for Emory College and 33 to 35 for Oxford College.

Is Emory test optional for 2026-27?

Yes. Emory is test optional for the 2026-27 cycle, for students starting in fall 2027, at both Emory College and Oxford College, in every decision plan and for the Emory Scholar Programs.

Does Emory superscore the SAT and ACT?

Yes. Emory uses your highest SAT section scores across sittings and builds your highest ACT composite from your best subject scores across attempts.

Is Oxford College easier to get into than Emory College?

Slightly, on the numbers. For the Class of 2030, Oxford admitted 10 percent of applicants against Emory College's 9 percent, and its SAT and ACT ranges start one step lower. Both are highly selective.

What is Emory's acceptance rate?

For the Class of 2030, Emory reports a 9 percent admit rate at Emory College and 10 percent at Oxford College. University-wide, the CDS 2025-2026 shows 3,869 admits from 37,561 applicants for fall 2025, about 10.3 percent.

If you are aiming at Emory's middle 50, steady practice on your weaker section moves the total more than another full test every weekend. Larry Learns has 30,000+ SAT and ACT practice questions on web, iPhone and Android, a score estimate that tracks your progress, and 3 free quizzes a day. Try a free practice quiz, or create a free account to build a streak between now and the December tests.