Carnegie Mellon University will be test optional for fall 2025 undergraduate admission applications. However, students applying to the School of Computer Science are strongly encouraged to submit either an SAT or ACT score, including the math subscore, to bolster their application's strength and to aid in determining their ability to succeed academically at Carnegie Mellon.

Pursuant to this policy, applicants aren't required to submit SAT or ACT results; however, results will be considered for those who submit them and want us to consider them. 

We'll continue to review and evaluate our process to make a determination regarding future standardized testing requirements for admission to Carnegie Mellon.

For Fall 2026 applicants, Carnegie Mellon will implement an undergraduate admission test policy that varies according to college or program: 

• The School of Computer Science will require an SAT or an ACT score. 
• The following colleges and programs will move to a test flexible policy: 
  • College of Engineering
  • Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Heinz College’s Information Systems program
  • Mellon College of Science
  • Tepper School of Business
• Test flexible means that students are required to submit test scores in order to complete their application, however, they may choose which type of test(s) they prefer to submit. Acceptable test options include the SAT, ACT, International Baccalaureate exam, Advanced Placement, Cambridge A-Levels and the French Baccalaureate.
• The College of Fine Arts will remain test optional and continue to require portfolios or auditions. 

Carnegie Mellon is extending our test-optional policy, removing the SAT/ACT standardized testing requirement for all Fall 2025 first-year applicants. Please see the information above for more details.

We prefer that all testing is completed by November 1 for Early Decision applicants and by January 3 for Regular Decision applicants.

We believe that college admission testing in the 9th and 10th grades adds to the anxiety of a process that students won’t encounter for several years. As a result, we encourage students to submit 11th or 12th grade SAT or ACT scores (tests taken the summer after 10th grade are appropriate). While earlier tests may measure knowledge at the time they are taken, that level of knowledge gradually evolves and doesn’t fully represent the knowledge students bring to college first-year courses. Should students present tests taken two or more years in advance of their first-year experience, we'd take the timing of the test results into consideration. The greater the amount of time prior to students' first year of college, the less we can rely on the test results as a fair representation of their knowledge entering Carnegie Mellon.

Both domestic and international applicants who choose to submit SAT or ACT scores may share either official or self-reported SAT or ACT scores. Students will not be required to submit official score reports unless they are admitted and choose to enroll. Applicants are able to self-report test scores through the Common Application or by sharing an unofficial score report. Students may also submit a transcript that includes test scores.

The Carnegie Mellon SAT code is 2074 and the ACT code is 3534.

We require the TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge or Duolingo English Test from all nonnative English speakers.* If English isn't one of your first languages, you must submit official results from one of the following options:

IELTS (or IELTS Online): We require at least a 7.5 overall band score on the Academic Examination and give consideration to those with subscores of 7.5 and above.

TOEFL iBT or iBT Home Edition: We require at least a 102 overall score and give consideration to those with subscores of 25 and above.

TOEFL Essentials: We require at least an 11 overall band score and give consideration to those with subscores of 11 and above.

Cambridge English Assessment: We require at least a 191 overall score and give consideration to those with subscores of 191 and above.

Duolingo English Test: For those who took the DET prior to July 2024, we require at least a 135 overall score and give consideration to those with the following subscores and above:

• Literacy: 135
• Conversation: 130
• Comprehension: 145
• Production: 115

For those who took the DET during or after July 2024, we require at least a 135 overall score and give consideration to those with the following subscores and above:

• Literacy: 135
• Conversation: 135
• Comprehension: 135
• Production: 135

Scores should be no more than two years old at the time of application, and we prefer that you submit all English proficiency test results from the past two years.  

Should you take the TOEFL more than once, we'll use the set of TOEFL scores corresponding with your highest overall score. We don't use TOEFL MyBest scores, which ‘superscore’ subsection results from more than one test administration of the TOEFL. 

Please plan on taking the TOEFL or IELTS no later than December of your senior year. Make sure that the name you use for test registration is identical to the way your name is listed on your passport and in your admissions application.

*The TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo English Test/ Cambridge English Assessment will continue to be required for nonnative English speakers for Fall 2024.