As of November 2026: Yes. Brown University requires SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants beginning with the 2024-25 admission cycle, which covers students who start college in fall 2027, and this is its published policy as of November 2026. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1500 to 1570.
Brown requires an SAT or ACT score from students who start college in fall 2027. Here are the score bands, the deadlines and our advice for this month.
By Nick Standlea, Test Prep Gurus. Figures may be quoted with attribution to Test Prep Gurus.
Brown requires a score for fall 2027. Every first-year applicant to Brown sends an SAT or ACT score under the policy that began with the 2024-25 admission cycle. The Regular Decision deadline is January 5, 2027.
The SAT middle half is 1500 to 1570. Among enrolled first-years who sent a score, the middle half scored 1500 to 1570 on the SAT and 34 to 35 on the ACT.
Brown admitted 5.2 percent of applicants. For fall 2023, Brown had 51,316 applicants and admitted 2,668. A strong score helps, but it never promises a spot.
Brown's SAT and ACT policy
This is the policy Brown publishes on its own admissions page as of November 2026.
| College | Policy | Applies to | In Brown's words | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown University | required | first-year applicants beginning with the 2024-25 admission cycle (covers fall 2027) | Brown has returned to its previous policy requiring standardized test scores - either SAT or ACT scores - for first-year applicants beginning with the 2024-25 admission cycle. | Source |
Required means a score must be sent with the application.
Brown scores, odds and cost
Score bands describe enrolled first-years who sent that test in fall 2023. Prices are for a year of study.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| applicants, fall 2023 | 51316 |
| admits, fall 2023 | 2668 |
| admit rate, percent | 5.2 |
| SAT 25th percentile, enrolled submitters | 1500 |
| SAT 75th percentile, enrolled submitters | 1570 |
| ACT 25th percentile, enrolled submitters | 34 |
| ACT 75th percentile, enrolled submitters | 35 |
| share of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT, percent | 54 |
| share who sent an ACT, percent | 22 |
| application fee, dollars | 75 |
| full price of a year, dollars | 87648 |
| average net price after aid, dollars | 25184 |
The bands show the middle half of enrolled first-years who sent a score. They are not cutoffs.
Brown deadlines for fall 2027 entry
These are the dates Brown lists on its own application page.
| Early Decision | Regular Decision | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-11-01 | 2027-01-05 | Source |
Other early rounds are not listed on Brown's page.
Does Brown require the SAT or ACT in 2027?
Yes, Brown University requires SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants beginning with the 2024-25 admission cycle, and that covers students who start college in fall 2027. That means high school seniors in the 2026-27 school year, who are applying this fall and winter, must send a score. No, Brown is not test-optional for fall 2027 applicants; a score must be sent.
Brown accepts either test, so your child can choose the SAT or the ACT. This is Brown's published policy as of November 2026, with no end date stated. For a closer look at the scores, see our companion page, What SAT or ACT score do you need for Brown?, at https://www.prepgurus.com/blog/sat-act-score-for-brown.
Could the policy change before fall 2027?
Brown has stated no end date for its testing requirement as of November 2026. We tell families to plan on the rule as it is written today.
Colleges usually announce changes for the next cycle in the spring. If your child is a junior who will apply in the 2027-28 school year, we suggest checking Brown's testing page again then.
Our rule for juniors is simple: plan to have a strong score no matter what. A score in hand keeps every door open. A plan built on hoping a rule changes can leave a student scrambling late in the year.
What scores do enrolled first-years carry?
The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1500 to 1570, and the middle half who sent an ACT scored 34 to 35. These figures describe the fall 2023 class, the latest federal numbers. Among enrolled first-years, 54 percent sent an SAT and 22 percent sent an ACT.
These bands are not cutoffs. They show where the middle half of submitters landed, and some enrolled students scored below the band. We use them as a guide, not a wall.
Getting in is hard for everyone. Brown had 51,316 applicants for fall 2023 and admitted 2,668, an admit rate of 5.2 percent. A score in the band helps a student stand on firm ground, but it does not promise a spot.
Should my child send a score to Brown?
Every applicant to Brown for fall 2027 sends an SAT or ACT score, so the only question is how strong that score is. We tell families that a score inside or above the band, 1500 to 1570 on the SAT or 34 to 35 on the ACT, puts a student in line with enrolled first-years who sent a score.
A score below the band still goes in with the application, so the job is to raise it while there is still time. Our students pick the test that fits them best and put their effort there.
Cost matters too. The full price of a year at Brown is $87,648, and the average net price after aid is $25,184. Brown publishes a net price calculator, as every US college must, and we tell families to run it with their own numbers. The application fee is $75.
When are Brown's deadlines for fall 2027?
Brown lists January 5, 2027 for Regular Decision and November 1, 2026 for Early Decision. The Early Decision date has now passed, so seniors applying today are working toward Regular Decision. Other early rounds are not listed on Brown's page.
Our advice is to have the final score settled well before January 5, so the application is never waiting on a test. Seniors should look now at which remaining test dates they can still use.
What should we do this month?
Start with a full-length mock SAT and a full-length mock ACT, both free at Test Prep Gurus. Compare each result with the bands for enrolled first-years who sent a score: 1500 to 1570 on the SAT and 34 to 35 on the ACT. That shows which test fits your child and how far there is to go.
Then plan 6 to 12 weeks of prep before a test date that counts. Prepare for the whole test every sitting, not just the part that feels weakest. Our students do best when they treat every sitting as the real thing.
To book a free mock SAT or a free mock ACT, call us at 949.229.5359 or visit https://www.prepgurus.com/take-the-next-step. We will go over the results with you and help you set a plan.
Questions parents ask
Does Brown require the SAT or ACT in 2027?
Yes, Brown University requires SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants beginning with the 2024-25 admission cycle, and that covers students who start college in fall 2027.
Is Brown test-optional?
No, Brown is not test-optional for fall 2027 applicants; a score must be sent.
What SAT and ACT scores do Brown first-years have?
The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1500 to 1570, and the middle half who sent an ACT scored 34 to 35.
When is Brown's Regular Decision deadline?
Brown lists January 5, 2027 for Regular Decision and November 1, 2026 for Early Decision.
Should my child send a score to Brown?
Every applicant to Brown for fall 2027 sends an SAT or ACT score, so the only question is how strong that score is.
Ready to plan the next test date? Free mock SAT and free mock ACT at Test Prep Gurus, then a plan built on the result: prepgurus.com/take-the-next-step or 949.229.5359.
Method and sources: The policy comes from Brown's own standardized testing page, which says scores are required for first-year applicants beginning with the 2024-25 admission cycle; it is the published policy as of November 2026. The SAT and ACT bands describe enrolled first-years who submitted that test in fall 2023, the latest federal file, so they do not describe every admitted student. Applicant and admit counts come from the same federal data, and prices and the application fee come from the College Scorecard. The net price is an average after aid, so one family's cost will differ.
Related: What SAT or ACT score do you need for Brown? · Which colleges require the SAT or ACT in 2026 · What is a good SAT score · Our results
As of November 2026: Yes. Brown University requires SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants beginning with the 2024-25 admission cycle, which covers students who start college in fall 2027, and this is its published policy as of November 2026. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1500 to 1570.
Brown requires an SAT or ACT score from students who start college in fall 2027. Here are the score bands, the deadlines and our advice for this month.
By Nick Standlea, Test Prep Gurus. Figures may be quoted with attribution to Test Prep Gurus.
Brown requires a score for fall 2027. Every first-year applicant to Brown sends an SAT or ACT score under the policy that began with the 2024-25 admission cycle. The Regular Decision deadline is January 5, 2027.
The SAT middle half is 1500 to 1570. Among enrolled first-years who sent a score, the middle half scored 1500 to 1570 on the SAT and 34 to 35 on the ACT.
Brown admitted 5.2 percent of applicants. For fall 2023, Brown had 51,316 applicants and admitted 2,668. A strong score helps, but it never promises a spot.
Brown's SAT and ACT policy
This is the policy Brown publishes on its own admissions page as of November 2026.
| College | Policy | Applies to | In Brown's words | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown University | required | first-year applicants beginning with the 2024-25 admission cycle (covers fall 2027) | Brown has returned to its previous policy requiring standardized test scores - either SAT or ACT scores - for first-year applicants beginning with the 2024-25 admission cycle. | Source |
Required means a score must be sent with the application.
Brown scores, odds and cost
Score bands describe enrolled first-years who sent that test in fall 2023. Prices are for a year of study.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| applicants, fall 2023 | 51316 |
| admits, fall 2023 | 2668 |
| admit rate, percent | 5.2 |
| SAT 25th percentile, enrolled submitters | 1500 |
| SAT 75th percentile, enrolled submitters | 1570 |
| ACT 25th percentile, enrolled submitters | 34 |
| ACT 75th percentile, enrolled submitters | 35 |
| share of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT, percent | 54 |
| share who sent an ACT, percent | 22 |
| application fee, dollars | 75 |
| full price of a year, dollars | 87648 |
| average net price after aid, dollars | 25184 |
The bands show the middle half of enrolled first-years who sent a score. They are not cutoffs.
Brown deadlines for fall 2027 entry
These are the dates Brown lists on its own application page.
| Early Decision | Regular Decision | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-11-01 | 2027-01-05 | Source |
Other early rounds are not listed on Brown's page.
Does Brown require the SAT or ACT in 2027?
Yes, Brown University requires SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants beginning with the 2024-25 admission cycle, and that covers students who start college in fall 2027. That means high school seniors in the 2026-27 school year, who are applying this fall and winter, must send a score. No, Brown is not test-optional for fall 2027 applicants; a score must be sent.
Brown accepts either test, so your child can choose the SAT or the ACT. This is Brown's published policy as of November 2026, with no end date stated. For a closer look at the scores, see our companion page, What SAT or ACT score do you need for Brown?, at https://www.prepgurus.com/blog/sat-act-score-for-brown.
Could the policy change before fall 2027?
Brown has stated no end date for its testing requirement as of November 2026. We tell families to plan on the rule as it is written today.
Colleges usually announce changes for the next cycle in the spring. If your child is a junior who will apply in the 2027-28 school year, we suggest checking Brown's testing page again then.
Our rule for juniors is simple: plan to have a strong score no matter what. A score in hand keeps every door open. A plan built on hoping a rule changes can leave a student scrambling late in the year.
What scores do enrolled first-years carry?
The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1500 to 1570, and the middle half who sent an ACT scored 34 to 35. These figures describe the fall 2023 class, the latest federal numbers. Among enrolled first-years, 54 percent sent an SAT and 22 percent sent an ACT.
These bands are not cutoffs. They show where the middle half of submitters landed, and some enrolled students scored below the band. We use them as a guide, not a wall.
Getting in is hard for everyone. Brown had 51,316 applicants for fall 2023 and admitted 2,668, an admit rate of 5.2 percent. A score in the band helps a student stand on firm ground, but it does not promise a spot.
Should my child send a score to Brown?
Every applicant to Brown for fall 2027 sends an SAT or ACT score, so the only question is how strong that score is. We tell families that a score inside or above the band, 1500 to 1570 on the SAT or 34 to 35 on the ACT, puts a student in line with enrolled first-years who sent a score.
A score below the band still goes in with the application, so the job is to raise it while there is still time. Our students pick the test that fits them best and put their effort there.
Cost matters too. The full price of a year at Brown is $87,648, and the average net price after aid is $25,184. Brown publishes a net price calculator, as every US college must, and we tell families to run it with their own numbers. The application fee is $75.
When are Brown's deadlines for fall 2027?
Brown lists January 5, 2027 for Regular Decision and November 1, 2026 for Early Decision. The Early Decision date has now passed, so seniors applying today are working toward Regular Decision. Other early rounds are not listed on Brown's page.
Our advice is to have the final score settled well before January 5, so the application is never waiting on a test. Seniors should look now at which remaining test dates they can still use.
What should we do this month?
Start with a full-length mock SAT and a full-length mock ACT, both free at Test Prep Gurus. Compare each result with the bands for enrolled first-years who sent a score: 1500 to 1570 on the SAT and 34 to 35 on the ACT. That shows which test fits your child and how far there is to go.
Then plan 6 to 12 weeks of prep before a test date that counts. Prepare for the whole test every sitting, not just the part that feels weakest. Our students do best when they treat every sitting as the real thing.
To book a free mock SAT or a free mock ACT, call us at 949.229.5359 or visit https://www.prepgurus.com/take-the-next-step. We will go over the results with you and help you set a plan.
Questions parents ask
Does Brown require the SAT or ACT in 2027?
Yes, Brown University requires SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants beginning with the 2024-25 admission cycle, and that covers students who start college in fall 2027.
Is Brown test-optional?
No, Brown is not test-optional for fall 2027 applicants; a score must be sent.
What SAT and ACT scores do Brown first-years have?
The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1500 to 1570, and the middle half who sent an ACT scored 34 to 35.
When is Brown's Regular Decision deadline?
Brown lists January 5, 2027 for Regular Decision and November 1, 2026 for Early Decision.
Should my child send a score to Brown?
Every applicant to Brown for fall 2027 sends an SAT or ACT score, so the only question is how strong that score is.
Ready to plan the next test date? Free mock SAT and free mock ACT at Test Prep Gurus, then a plan built on the result: prepgurus.com/take-the-next-step or 949.229.5359.
Method and sources: The policy comes from Brown's own standardized testing page, which says scores are required for first-year applicants beginning with the 2024-25 admission cycle; it is the published policy as of November 2026. The SAT and ACT bands describe enrolled first-years who submitted that test in fall 2023, the latest federal file, so they do not describe every admitted student. Applicant and admit counts come from the same federal data, and prices and the application fee come from the College Scorecard. The net price is an average after aid, so one family's cost will differ.
Related: What SAT or ACT score do you need for Brown? · Which colleges require the SAT or ACT in 2026 · What is a good SAT score · Our results