Carnegie Mellon University is known for its rigorous academic standards and research opportunities. Standardized testing, particularly the ACT, plays a significant role in the college application journey. This article dives into Carnegie Mellon’s specific ACT scores and requirements. If you’re interested in taking the SAT, check out our article on Carnegie Mellon’s SAT stats and requirements.
What is the average ACT score at Carnegie Mellon?
Reflecting its high academic standards, Carnegie Mellon’s average composite ACT score is around 35, out of a maximum of 36 points. This is significantly higher than the national average of approximately 21. Among students admitted to Carnegie Mellon, the 25th percentile score is a strong 34, while the 75th percentile reaches a near-perfect 35.
This means that the lowest 25% of admitted students scored a 34 or below, while the highest 25% achieved a composite score of 35. These scores highlight Carnegie Mellon’s high expectations for its students. Still, there is no minimum score required for admission.
What is the average ACT English score at Carnegie Mellon?
The ACT composite score is the average of the scores a student achieves on each of the four test sections: English, mathematics, reading, and science. Let’s break down the English and Math statistics for Carnegie Mellon’s ACT scores.
The average ACT English score for admitted students is an impressive 35. Meanwhile, the 25th and 75th percentiles are 33 and 36, respectively. From these statistics, we can see that 25% of students admitted to Carnegie Mellon scored a 33 or below on the ACT English section. Meanwhile, another 25% of admitted students achieved perfect scores on the ACT English section. This demonstrates the strength of Carnegie Mellon ACT scores in the English section, with many students achieving near-perfect scores.
What is the average ACT Math score at Carnegie Mellon?
The average ACT Math score at Carnegie Mellon is a strong 35, which is well above the national average. Meanwhile, the 25th percentile sits at 34 and the 75th percentile reaches 35.
From these statistics, we can see that a score within the 34 to 35 places an applicant among the middle 50% of scorers at Carnegie Mellon. Further, over 25% of admitted students achieved a 35 or higher on the math section of the ACT. The Carnegie Mellon ACT scores in the math section are a testament to the strong quantitative skills of their student body.
What are Carnegie Mellon’s ACT requirements?
Carnegie Mellon has adopted a test-optional policy through fall 2025. This removes the SAT/ACT standardized testing requirement for first-year fall 2025 applicants. Students are not penalized for omitting standardized test scores. That said, applicants to the School of Computer Science are strongly encouraged to submit either an SAT or ACT score, with an emphasis on the math section.
Further, applicants may self-report their ACT scores through the Common Application. Unofficial score reports are also acceptable. If students are admitted and choose to enroll, though, then they are required to submit official score reports from the testing agency.
The ACT Writing section is neither recommended nor required.
You can read more about Carnegie Mellon’s testing requirements on their Admission FAQ webpage.
What percent of Carnegie Mellon applicants submit the ACT?
Among admitted applicants, roughly 51% submit SAT scores. Meanwhile, 20% submitted ACT scores, but the remaining 29% omitted standardized test scores from their application.
From these statistics, we can see that more than twice as many students chose to take the SAT as the ACT. In addition, nearly a third of students went test-optional. Although these statistics show that taking the SAT is the most popular choice, there is no advantage to taking one test over the other apart from individual circumstances and preferences. Moreover, students who go test-optional are not disadvantaged in the admissions process.
Should I go test-optional?
Submitting a high SAT or ACT score can help an applicant’s chances for admission to a competitive college like Carnegie Mellon. We recommend that any student with the means to do so should take the SAT or ACT. If the test goes well and you achieve a competitive score, it will boost your application. If not, you can choose to omit the score on your Carnegie Mellon application. Giving yourself a chance to perform well can only help, and lower scores can always be left off of your application without penalty.
Once you have received your scores, consider them in the context of the school’s average scores to decide whether to submit them to a test-optional school. If your scores fall within or above the 25th to 75th percentile ranges, they are likely worth submitting. Sending in a strong score will strengthen your application, but choosing not to do so will not hurt your chances. Ultimately, this is a personal decision based on your strengths and abilities.
Does Carnegie Mellon superscore the ACT?
Carnegie Mellon does not superscore the ACT. They will consider your highest composite score from a single test date. Applicants may choose to submit scores from multiple test dates.
What’s a good ACT score for Carnegie Mellon?
Carnegie Mellon does not have specific ACT score requirements or cutoffs. There is no one score requirement that applicants must meet to have their application considered. However, most admitted students have high standardized testing scores.
The statistics described above show that the average composite score is around 35, so shooting for a score at or above this average would put you in a good position. The upper 25% of students scored a composite 35 or higher, likely with a considerable number of perfect scorers among them. As expected, a “good” ACT score for Carnegie Mellon is quite high.
| Section | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 34 | 35 | 35 |
| English | 33 | 35 | 36 |
| Math | 34 | 35 | 35 |
Can I get into Carnegie Mellon with a low ACT score?
Getting into Carnegie Mellon with a low ACT score is difficult but possible. “Low” is a relative term, of course: below-average scores for Carnegie Mellon are still quite high overall. The lower quartile SAT score is a 34, meaning that students in the lowest 25% scored at or below a 34. With this in mind, it would be in an applicant’s best interest to aim for the average score of 35, if not for a perfect 36, in order to ensure that your application is competitive.
However, it is still possible to get into Carnegie Mellon with an ACT score below a 35. Applicants who demonstrate strong academic and extracurricular performance can stand out in other ways. For example, a student with a below-average score who demonstrates leadership and initiative through a community service project may be judged more favorably than an applicant with an above-average score who doesn’t demonstrate much initiative.
In sum, scores are important, but they are not the only thing a prospective college applicant should devote their time to. Extracurricular passions and projects, as well as classes and in-school academics, are just as important, if not more so. You can read more about Carnegie Mellon’s admissions policies here.
When should I take the ACT for Carnegie Mellon?
For students who plan to submit applications during their senior year, the best time to take the ACT for Carnegie Mellon is generally during the preceding junior spring semester. However, students applying via Early Decision can take the ACT up until the early fall of their senior year and still submit their scores for evaluation.
Specifically, Early Decision applicants must take their final ACT at the latest in November, but ideally earlier. Regular Decision applicants can submit scores from tests as late as the December ACT, but the University recommends submission as early as possible to allow the evaluation process to proceed in a timely manner. Read about the exceptions and specifics of these policies on their Admissions Deadlines webpage.
What is Carnegie Mellon’s ACT code?
Carnegie Mellon’s ACT code for submitting official test scores is 3534.
While Carnegie Mellon has adopted a test-optional policy through fall 2025, those who do submit ACT scores and gain admission to this prestigious university are often high scorers. However, choosing not to submit scores will not harm an applicant.
In summary, whether or not to take and submit the ACT is a personal decision for each student to make based on their strengths, priorities, and goals. If you are considering taking the SAT, check out our article about Carnegie Mellon SAT scores!
