Carnegie Mellon University, a leader in STEM and the arts, sets high academic standards for its students. In this article, we will explore Carnegie Mellon SAT scores and requirements. Be sure to check out our other posts discussing Carnegie Mellon’s ACT stats and requirements!
What is the average SAT score at Carnegie Mellon?
As expected, Carnegie Mellon SAT scores are highly competitive. The average score at Carnegie Mellon is around 1540 out of a maximum SAT score of 1600. The 25th percentile for SAT scores is 1490, and the 75th percentile is 1570.
From these statistics, we can see that 25% of students admitted to Carnegie Mellon achieved a 1490 or below. Meanwhile, 25% of students achieved a 1570 or above. This range indicates the high standards of the institution. Still, these statistics show that there is no single score that applicants must achieve for admission.
What is the average SAT English score at Carnegie Mellon?
The SAT is divided into two sections: English (reading and writing) and math, each scored out of 800 for a combined total of 1600.
Carnegie Mellon’s average SAT English score is 750. Meanwhile, the 25th percentile score sits at 720 and the 75th percentile score reaches a strong 770. Therefore, an SAT English score lower than 720 places you in the lowest 25% of scorers. On the other hand, a score greater than 770 places you in the highest quarter of Carnegie Mellon’s SAT English scores.
What is the average SAT Math score at Carnegie Mellon?
The average SAT Math score at Carnegie Mellon is 790, which is somewhat higher than the English section score. Despite this statistics, there is no minimum score required for admission. The 25th percentile of scores falls at 770, and the 75th percentile at 800. This means that the upper quarter of SAT Math scores at Carnegie Mellon are perfect. However, the majority of scores fall below this mark, so there is no hard and fast expectation that applicants reach this perfect score.
What are Carnegie Mellon’s SAT 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 SAT 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.
SAT Subject Tests, which have been discontinued, will not be considered in the admission review process at Carnegie Mellon. In addition, the SAT Essay section is neither recommended nor required.
You can read more about Carnegie Mellon’s testing requirements on their Admission FAQ webpage.
What percentage of Carnegie Mellon applicants submit the SAT?
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 SAT?
For students who choose to submit SAT scores, superscoring is permitted. As a result, you may use the College Board Score Choice option to select individual section scores from different test dates. Therefore, retaking the SAT can provide you with more opportunities to achieve high scores on individual sections.
What’s a good SAT score for Carnegie Mellon?
Carnegie Mellon does not have specific SAT 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 mentioned above show that the average score is around 1540, so shooting for a score at or above the average would put you in a good position. The upper 25% of students scored a 1570 or higher, likely with a considerable number of perfect scorers among them. As expected, a “good” SAT score for Carnegie Mellon would be quite high.
| Section | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 1490 | 1540 | 1570 |
| English | 720 | 750 | 770 |
| Math | 770 | 790 | 800 |
Can I get into Carnegie Mellon with a low SAT score?
Getting into Carnegie Mellon with a low SAT 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 1490, meaning that students in the lowest 25% scored at or below a 1490. With this in mind, it would be in an applicant’s best interest to aim for the average score of 1540, if not higher, in order to ensure that your application is competitive.
However, it is still possible to get into Carnegie Mellon with an SAT score below a 1540 and even below a 1490. 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 SAT for Carnegie Mellon?
For students who plan to submit applications during their senior year, the best time to take the SAT for Carnegie Mellon is generally during the preceding junior spring semester. However, students applying via Early Decision can take the SAT up until the early fall of their senior year.
Specifically, Early Decision applicants must take their final SAT at the latest in November, but ideally earlier. Regular Decision applicants can submit scores from tests as late as the December SAT. Still, 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 SAT code?
Carnegie Mellon’s SAT code for submitting official test scores is 2074.
While Carnegie Mellon has adopted a test-optional policy through fall 2025, those who do submit SAT 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 SAT is a personal decision for each student to make based on their strengths, priorities, and goals. If you are considering taking the ACT, check out our article about Carnegie Mellon ACT scores!
