Does Texas A&M require the SAT or ACT in 2027?

As of November 2026: Texas A&M is test-optional: its own admissions page lists test scores as optional for fall 2026 first-year applicants, and that is the published policy as of November 2026, with no end date stated. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored between 1140 and 1380 in fall 2023.

Texas A&M does not require a score, but a strong one still helps. Here is the policy, the score bands, the deadline and our advice for this month.

By Nick Standlea, Test Prep Gurus. Figures may be quoted with attribution to Test Prep Gurus.

Texas A&M is test-optional, and the SAT band runs from 1140 to 1380. The university's own admissions page lists test scores as optional for fall 2026 first-year applicants. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored between 1140 and 1380 in fall 2023.

Most students still send a score: 80 percent sent an SAT. In fall 2023, 80 percent of enrolled first-years sent an SAT and 20 percent sent an ACT. A score is still the normal thing to send here.

Texas A&M admitted 63.2 percent of applicants. In fall 2023, Texas A&M had 50,832 applicants and admitted 32,126 of them. A strong score helps a file stand out in a pool that large.

Does Texas A&M require the SAT or ACT?

This is the policy as Texas A&M publishes it on its own admissions page.

Policy	Applies to	What the college says	Source
Test-optional	fall 2026 first-year applicants	You can also choose to submit official test scores, a resume and up to two letters of recommendation.	Source

Test-optional means the college reads a score if one is sent.

Texas A&M: score bands, who sends a score, how many get in, what it costs

Bands describe enrolled first-years who sent that test in fall 2023.

Measure	Value
applicants, fall 2023	50832
admits, fall 2023	32126
admit rate, percent	63.2
SAT 25th percentile, enrolled submitters	1140
SAT 75th percentile, enrolled submitters	1380
ACT 25th percentile, enrolled submitters	25
ACT 75th percentile, enrolled submitters	31
share of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT, percent	80
share who sent an ACT, percent	20
application fee, dollars	75
full price of a year, dollars	32696
average net price after aid, dollars	21315

Score bands cover the fall 2023 class, the latest federal figures. Prices come from the College Scorecard.

Texas A&M deadlines for fall 2027 entry

This is the deadline Texas A&M lists on its own page.

College	Regular deadline	What the college says	Source
Texas A & M University-College Station	2026-12-01	Aug. 1, 2026 - Dec. 1, 2026	Source

No early or priority dates are listed.

Does Texas A&M require the SAT or ACT in 2027?

Texas A&M is test-optional in its published policy as of November 2026, with no end date stated. Yes, Texas A&M is test-optional for fall 2026 first-year applicants, according to the university's own admissions page. No, Texas A&M does not require an SAT or ACT score; the university lists test scores as an optional part of the application.

In plain terms, test-optional means the college reads a score if your child sends one. Its admissions page puts it this way: "You can also choose to submit official test scores." This page is for high school seniors in the 2026-27 school year, who start college in fall 2027. It is also for juniors who are planning ahead.

For a closer look at the numbers, see our companion page, "What SAT or ACT score do you need for Texas A&M?" at https://www.prepgurus.com/blog/sat-act-score-for-texas-am.

Could the policy change before fall 2027?

Texas A&M has not stated a rule for fall 2027 entry beyond its published policy as of November 2026, which names fall 2026 first-year applicants and gives no end date. We do not guess at rules a college has not stated. Colleges usually announce changes for the next cycle in the spring.

Our advice is to plan as if a score could matter. A student who has a strong score is ready for any policy. A student who has none has to scramble if the rule changes. Families can check the Texas A&M admissions page themselves each spring and read the policy line for the coming year.

What scores do enrolled first-years carry?

The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored between 1140 and 1380 in fall 2023. On the ACT, the middle half of submitters scored between 25 and 31.

Most of these students sent a score. In fall 2023, 80 percent of enrolled first-years sent an SAT and 20 percent sent an ACT. That year Texas A&M had 50,832 applicants and admitted 32,126, an admit rate of 63.2 percent.

Read these bands with care. They describe enrolled first-years who sent a score, not every student who applied. Some enrolled students scored below the band and some scored above it. The band is a picture of the class, not a line your child must clear.

Should my child send a score to Texas A&M?

Our rule for Texas A&M is simple: a score at or above 1140 on the SAT or 25 on the ACT is one to send. We tell families that at a test-optional college like Texas A&M it is nearly always good to have a score, because a strong score bolsters the odds of getting in and most merit scholarships are keyed to one.

A score below the band is one to think hard about. If the rest of the application is strong, leaving the score off can make sense. Our students often find that a few more practice tests move them into the band, so we look at the next test date before we give up on a score.

Cost is part of this choice too. A full year at Texas A&M is listed at $32,696, and the average net price after aid is $21,315. The college publishes a net price calculator, and families can run their own numbers there.

When are the deadlines?

The regular deadline for fall 2027 entry is December 1, 2026. The college lists the window as "Aug. 1, 2026 - Dec. 1, 2026" on its own page. No early or priority dates are listed. The application fee is $75.

We tell families to work backward from that date. Choose a test date early enough that the score is in hand before the application goes in. That way your child can see the score first and then decide whether to send it.

What should we do this month?

Sit a full-length mock SAT and a full-length mock ACT this month, both free at Test Prep Gurus, and compare each result with the Texas A&M bands of 1140 to 1380 and 25 to 31. The mock tests show which test fits your child better and how far the score sits from the band.

Then plan 6 to 12 weeks of prep before a test date that counts. Prepare for the whole test every sitting, not just one section. Our students do best when they treat every official test 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

Is Texas A&M test-optional?
Yes, Texas A&M is test-optional for fall 2026 first-year applicants, according to the university's own admissions page.

Does Texas A&M require an SAT or ACT score?
No, Texas A&M does not require an SAT or ACT score; the university lists test scores as an optional part of the application.

What SAT score do enrolled first-years at Texas A&M have?
The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored between 1140 and 1380 in fall 2023.

When is the Texas A&M application deadline?
The regular deadline for fall 2027 entry is December 1, 2026.

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 Texas A&M's own admissions page and names the term it covers, fall 2026 first-year applicants. The SAT and ACT bands describe enrolled first-years who sent that test in fall 2023, the latest federal figures, so they do not cover every applicant. Applicant and admit counts come from the same federal source, and prices come from the College Scorecard.