UGA SAT & ACT Score Requirements: What You Need to Get In (2026)

Last Updated: April 25, 2026

Key Takeaways

• UGA's admitted-student SAT middle 50 is 1300 to 1470 and ACT middle 50 is 30 to 34 for the Class of 2029. UGA's admitted-student GPA middle 50 runs 4.07 to 4.35 weighted.
• UGA requires SAT or ACT scores. There is no test-optional pathway. UGA never adopted full test-optional during the pandemic and is not test-optional for 2026.
• UGA superscores both the SAT and the ACT across test dates. Lower section scores from other dates do not count against you. UGA does not mix SAT and ACT scores; it reads whichever test type shows your strongest performance.
• Class of 2029 received a record ~48,000 applications and admitted approximately 34 percent, the most selective admit rate in UGA's history.
• For Georgia residents, the test score is also a gate to the HOPE and Zell Miller state scholarships, which can cover the majority of in-state tuition. Plan for both targets when prepping.

What SAT or ACT Score Do You Need for UGA?

UGA does not publish a competitive minimum and uses a holistic review. What it does publish, through the UGA Office of Admissions, are the middle 50 percent score ranges for the Class of 2029 admitted students:

Half of UGA's admitted Class of 2029 scored inside those bands. Practical target: aim for a 1385 SAT or a 32 ACT to land in the middle of the admitted pool. A 1300 or 30 keeps you competitive. A 1470 or 34 puts your score at or above most admits.

UGA's admitted SAT 25th percentile (1300) is meaningfully higher than at LSU, Auburn, USF, or even Penn State. Among large public flagships, UGA's test profile is matched only by UF and a small number of top-tier publics. If your score sits below 1300 SAT or 30 ACT, the rest of your file needs to be exceptional.

UGA Is Test-Required (Not Test-Optional)

UGA never adopted a full test-optional policy and remains test-required for Fall 2026. SAT or ACT scores are mandatory for all first-year applicants, with narrow hardship exceptions for documented testing inaccessibility. Three implications:

• You must test. If you are applying to UGA, plan to take the SAT or ACT. There is no workaround.
• The Board of Regents minimums are not your target. Georgia Board of Regents sets eligibility floors of 480 SAT EBRW + 440 SAT Math, or 17 ACT English/Reading + 17 ACT Math. These are eligibility thresholds for any USG school, not competitive markers for UGA. Functionally, scores in that range will not be admitted at UGA.
• UGA does not consider race, ethnicity, demonstrated interest, or legacy status. The review is heavily academic, with the secondary signals (essays, leadership, activities) carrying weight only after academic strength is established.

UGA Superscores Both SAT and ACT (Generously)

UGA's superscoring is among the friendliest at any major public university:

• SAT superscore. UGA combines your highest Reading & Writing and your highest Math scores across all SAT sittings into a new superscored total. Lower section scores from other dates are simply ignored.
• ACT superscore. UGA uses the highest English, Math, Reading, and Science subscores across dates to build a new superscored composite. Same principle: only your best counts.
• UGA does not mix SAT and ACT. It reviews whichever test type shows your strongest performance. You can submit both, and UGA picks the test that helps you most.
• Self-reporting is sufficient. Scores can be self-reported through the application; official reports are required after enrollment.

Because UGA superscores so generously, multiple sittings are a clear net positive. A three-test strategy (junior spring, senior early fall, optional retake) is the right default if your first sitting lands below your target.

UGA Class of 2029 Admission Profile

UGA's most recent admission cycle, summarized from UGA Admissions and cycle reporting:

The numbers reflect a flagship that has tightened steeply over five years. UGA's admit rate has fallen from above 45 percent in 2020 to under 34 percent for Class of 2029, while the SAT middle 50 has climbed roughly 60 points. UGA's 25th percentile SAT (1300) is now higher than the 75th percentile of many peer flagships.

UGA GPA and Course Rigor: The Real Bar

UGA recalculates your GPA on a 4.0 scale using only core academic courses (math, science, English, social science, foreign language). The admitted-class profile:

• Weighted GPA middle 50: 4.07 to 4.35. Honors-heavy applicants run higher, often above 4.5.
• "A-level grades in over 90 percent of core courses." UGA's admissions office is explicit: most admits earn A's across nearly every academic class on their transcript.
• 98 percent of admitted students took at least one advanced course. AP, IB, dual enrollment, or Move on When Ready (MOWR) participation is essentially universal in the admitted pool.
• 17 academic units required. UGA expects 4 English, 4 Math, 4 Science, 3 Social Science, and 2 Foreign Language. That math and science requirement is more demanding than at most peer publics.

The single biggest mistake UGA applicants make is taking the minimum 16-unit USG curriculum instead of UGA's 17-unit competitive curriculum, which adds a fourth year of math and science. Going light on math or science makes you visibly less competitive in UGA's recalculated GPA.

HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships: Why Test Score Matters Doubly

For Georgia residents, the test score is also the gate to two state scholarships that can cover the majority of UGA tuition. Per the Georgia Student Finance Commission:

For Georgia residents pursuing both UGA admission and Zell Miller, the practical lower-bound score targets are:

• 1200 SAT or 25 ACT for Zell Miller eligibility (assuming 3.7+ GPA).
• 1300 SAT or 30 ACT for UGA admitted 25th percentile.
• 1385 SAT or 32 ACT for UGA admitted middle.

Practically, anyone clearing UGA's admitted 25th percentile (1300 SAT or 30 ACT) is well above the Zell Miller cutoff. Test prep for UGA pays double: it strengthens admission and unlocks the largest state scholarship in Georgia. For full eligibility details, see the Georgia Student Finance Commission.

UGA Application Deadlines in 2026

UGA uses Early Action plus Regular Decision. Both are non-binding, and Early Action is the strategic default for most applicants:

UGA Early Action is the right call for most applicants. The Class of 2029 EA admit rate has historically been higher than the RD rate, and EA admits get a substantial head start on housing, scholarships, and major selection. UGA EA is non-binding and non-restrictive, so you can apply EA to UGA and Early Decision or Early Action elsewhere.

What UGA Weighs Beyond Test Scores

UGA's holistic review considers, in rough order of weight:

1. Recalculated core GPA. The single strongest signal. Calculated on a 4.0 scale using only academic core courses.
2. Course rigor. AP, IB, dual enrollment, MOWR participation. UGA wants to see the most challenging available curriculum.
3. Standardized test scores. Superscored SAT or ACT.
4. Curriculum completion. The 17-unit Required High School Curriculum (4 English, 4 Math, 4 Science, 3 Social Science, 2 Foreign Language).
5. Activities, leadership, and community engagement. Sustained, deep involvement beats a long shallow list.
6. Personal essay and short responses. UGA reads its supplemental questions carefully, especially for borderline files.
7. Letter of recommendation (optional). Counselor and teacher letters are accepted but not required. The Secondary School Report from your counselor is required.

UGA explicitly does not consider: demonstrated interest, race, ethnicity, or legacy status. This is one of the most strictly merit-academic flagship admissions reviews in the country.

UGA vs Peer Public Flagships

How UGA compares to peer state flagships in 2026:

UGA's test profile is the second-highest in the SEC after UF. The 100-point gap between UGA's 25th percentile and Clemson's 25th percentile (1300 vs 1250) translates to a meaningfully tighter admit pool. For applicants comparing UGA and Clemson, UGA is a meaningful step up in academic profile.

A Realistic Prep Plan for UGA-Level Scores

If UGA is your target and your current practice SAT is 1200 or ACT is 27, here is a reasonable pathway:

1. Sophomore spring. Take one timed official SAT (Bluebook) and one ACT. Pick the higher percentile test. For Georgia residents, also note the HOPE / Zell Miller cutoffs as floor targets.
2. Junior fall. Structured prep. Three to four hours per week plus a full timed test every two weeks. Focus on your weakest section first; UGA superscores, so building one section at a time works.
3. Junior spring. First official sitting. Lock in your strongest section and use the score report to target the next.
4. Summer before senior year. Heavy prep. Aim for one full timed practice per week with precision review.
5. Fall senior year. Second sitting, ideally with results back by mid-October so you can submit Early Action by October 15. A third sitting in November is reasonable if you are still chasing the 1385 SAT or 32 ACT admitted-middle target.

Key score targets for Georgia residents: 1200 SAT or 25 ACT for Zell Miller eligibility, 1300 SAT or 30 ACT for UGA admitted 25th percentile, and 1385 SAT or 32 ACT for UGA admitted middle. For adaptive practice, try the Larry Learns SAT platform or the Larry Learns ACT platform. If you are still deciding which test fits you, see our SAT vs ACT guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About UGA SAT and ACT Scores

What is the average SAT score for UGA?

Approximately 1385, based on the Class of 2029 admitted middle 50 of 1300 to 1470. The 25th percentile is 1300; the 75th percentile is 1470. SAT Reading & Writing middle 50 is 640 to 720; SAT Math middle 50 is 630 to 730.

What is the average ACT score for UGA?

Approximately 32 composite, with a middle 50 of 30 to 34. The 25th percentile is 30; the 75th percentile is 34.

What are UGA's SAT requirements?

UGA requires SAT or ACT scores. The admitted middle 50 SAT is 1300 to 1470. UGA superscores the SAT across test dates, and lower section scores from other dates do not count against you.

What are UGA's ACT requirements?

UGA requires SAT or ACT scores. The admitted middle 50 ACT composite is 30 to 34. UGA superscores the ACT and reviews whichever test type (SAT or ACT) shows your strongest performance.

Does UGA require the SAT or ACT?

Yes. UGA never adopted a full test-optional policy. SAT or ACT is required for all first-year applicants, with narrow hardship exceptions.

Does UGA superscore the SAT?

Yes. UGA combines your highest Reading & Writing and your highest Math scores across all SAT sittings into a new superscored total. Multiple sittings only help.

Does UGA superscore the ACT?

Yes. UGA uses the highest English, Math, Reading, and Science subscores across dates to build a new superscored composite.

Can I submit both SAT and ACT to UGA?

Yes. UGA reads whichever test type shows your strongest performance. The university does not mix SAT and ACT scores into a hybrid composite, but submitting both is fine and the stronger result is the one that gets weighed.

What GPA do I need for UGA?

UGA does not publish a formal minimum. The Class of 2029 admitted weighted GPA middle 50 is 4.07 to 4.35. UGA's admissions office states that admits earned A-level grades in over 90 percent of their core courses. 98 percent of admitted students took at least one advanced (AP, IB, dual enrollment) course.

What is UGA's acceptance rate?

Approximately 33.85 percent for the Class of 2029, based on a record ~48,000 applications. UGA has tightened from above 45 percent admit rate in 2020.

When is the UGA application deadline?

Early Action is October 15 with decisions in late November. Regular Decision is January 1 with decisions in late March. Both are non-binding. EA is the strategic default for most applicants.

Is UGA Early Action binding?

No. UGA Early Action is non-binding and non-restrictive. You can apply EA to UGA and Early Decision or Early Action to other schools.

What scholarships do UGA students qualify for?

For Georgia residents: HOPE (~1160 SAT or 24 ACT, 3.0 core GPA, covers most in-state tuition on a per-credit-hour basis) and Zell Miller (1200 SAT or 25 ACT, 3.7 GPA, covers full in-state tuition). UGA also offers university-level merit scholarships, with the most prominent being the Foundation Fellowship and the Stamps Scholars program for top admits.

Does UGA require letters of recommendation?

No. UGA requires the Secondary School Report from your counselor but does not require teacher recommendation letters. Letters, resumes, and portfolios are optional but recommended for borderline files.

Does UGA consider legacy status or demonstrated interest?

No. UGA explicitly does not consider legacy status, demonstrated interest, race, or ethnicity in admission decisions. The review is heavily merit-academic.

How does UGA compare to UF?

UF is more selective. UF's admitted SAT middle 50 (1360 to 1500) sits roughly 60 points above UGA's (1300 to 1470), and UF's admit rate (~23 percent) is well below UGA's (~34 percent). Both are test-required. For applicants choosing between Florida and Georgia state flagships, UGA is the slightly more accessible target with comparable academic profile.