If you’re a high school student considering a pre-med track as an undergraduate, it’s natural to wonder what SAT or ACT score you need to get started. The short answer is that there is no single required score for “pre-med,” because pre-med isn’t a major.
Pre-med is a track, or set of courses and experiences, that prepares you for medical school. Your ACT or SAT score matters only in terms of the colleges you’re applying to, not the pre-med path itself.
Knowing that, this guide breaks down average SAT and ACT scores by college type, what may matter even more than your standardized test scores, and whether you should retake your test. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of how to approach both tests and how to prepare for med school as a high schooler.
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Average SAT and ACT Scores by College Type
Your target SAT or ACT score depends a lot on the selectivity of the colleges on your list. While pre-med students often aim for strong academic environments, you can pursue pre-med successfully at a wide range of schools.
Below are general score ranges based on publicly available admissions data from official university admissions websites and data compiled by U.S. News & World Report.
Top-Tier, Ivy League Schools
Highly selective schools admit students with very high standardized test scores, typically in the top percentiles nationally. Even at this level, test scores are still only a part of a highly competitive application, alongside top academic performance and strong extracurricular involvement.
Typical ranges:
- SAT: 1480-1580
- ACT: 33-35
Example averages:
- Harvard University: SAT 1510-1580, ACT 34-36
- Princeton University: SAT 1510-1580, ACT 34-35
- Yale University: SAT 1470-1570, ACT 33-35
Competitive Schools
These schools are still selective, but admit students across a wider range of standardized test scores compared to top-tier institutions. Most admitted students perform well above the national average and are competitive applicants overall.
Typical ranges:
- SAT: 1350-1500
- ACT: 30-34
Example averages:
- Boston University: SAT 1420-1530, ACT 32-34
- George Washington University: SAT 1350-1500, ACT 30-34
- University of Michigan: SAT 1360-1530, ACT 31-34
Less-Selective Schools
These schools are generally more flexible in their admissions criteria and admit students across a broader range of standardized test scores. Many still offer strong academics and solid pre-med pathways, especially for students who take advantage of opportunities once enrolled.
Typical ranges:
- SAT: 1100-1300
- ACT: 21-29
Example averages:
- Oregon State University: SAT 1140-1400, ACT 24-31
- The University of Alabama: SAT 1170-1400, ACT 24-31
- University of Iowa: SAT 1130-1330, ACT 21-28
What Matters More Than Your Scores
Your SAT or ACT score is only one part of your college application. Admissions officers look at a range of factors when deciding who gets admitted to their undergrad programs, and some schools are even test-optional or test-blind. (Test-blind schools won’t consider standardized test scores at all as part of their admission requirements, even if you submit them with your application.)
These parts of your application can carry just as much or more weight than standardized test scores:
- GPA (especially core academic courses): Your grades in challenging courses like biology, chemistry, math, English, and physics often matter more than a single test score. College admissions committees want to see consistent academic performance over time.
- Coursework rigor: Taking AP, IB, honors, or advanced courses shows that you are challenging yourself academically before you enroll, not just meeting minimum requirements.
- Extracurricular activities: Colleges look for depth, not just participation in a variety of different extracurriculars. This can include clinical or healthcare exposure, like volunteering or shadowing, lab experience, internships, and leadership roles in clubs or organizations. Showing long-term commitment to meaningful activities is important, too.
- Essays and personal statements: Your application essays help admissions officers understand who you are beyond the numbers. For pre-med students, this is often where interest in health professions and a medical education begins to show.
- Letters of recommendation: Strong recommendations from teachers who know you well can reinforce your academic ability and character.
Once you get into college and begin your bachelor’s degree or pre-med track, the focus in the application process shifts again. For medical school admissions, your college GPA, particularly your BCPM GPA in science courses, pre-med coursework, and eventually your MCAT score become more important than what you accomplished in high school.
Read Next: Essential Skills for Every Pre-Med
Should You Retake the SAT or ACT?
Deciding whether to retake the SAT or ACT comes down to how your current score compares to your target schools and whether you can realistically improve that score. Here’s what we tell our students.
Consider retaking if:
- Your score is just below the average range for your target schools.
- You know you can improve with a different study strategy.
- Your practice tests suggest a higher potential score.
Skip retaking if:
- Your score already falls within or above your target schools’ middle 50% range.
- You’d only improve by a small margin.
- Your time would be better spent improving your grades or extracurriculars.
This actually mirrors how pre-med students should think about the MCAT later on. A retake only makes sense if there’s a meaningful improvement. Small gains may not significantly change your competitiveness, but larger jumps can.
Preparing properly the second time around is essential. As with the MCAT for medical students, you shouldn’t retake the SAT or ACT without changing your approach. If you decide to retake, plan to study more effectively, not just repeat the same strategy.
FAQs
Neither the SAT nor the ACT is better for pre-med specifically, and colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Medical schools do not consider either exam.
You should choose the test that best fits your strengths. Some students prefer the SAT’s emphasis on reasoning and reading, while others prefer the ACT’s faster pace. Despite regional trends that may suggest a preference for one test, colleges accept both equally and evaluate them using concordance tables, with a focus on your composite score.
There is no minimum GPA required to declare a pre-med track in college, but maintaining a strong GPA is essential for medical school. Most successful medical school applicants have an overall GPA of at least 3.6, with a strong BCPM GPA in a similar range.
The average BCPM GPA of med school matriculants is even higher. The higher your GPA, the more competitive you’ll be, especially at top medical schools.
Strong pre-med extracurriculars can demonstrate your commitment to medicine and qualities such as leadership, communication, and teamwork. These can include:
- Clinical experience: Hospital volunteering, patient interaction, and medical assistant roles.
- Shadowing: Observing physicians in different specialties.
- Research: Working in a lab or contributing to scientific studies.
- Volunteering: Service-oriented or community-based work.
- Leadership: Holding positions in clubs or organizations.
Depth and consistency matter more than doing a little bit of everything. Any prehealth advisor will tell you that long-term involvement stands out when it comes time to apply.
There is no required pre-med major to target during undergrad. You can choose any major as long as you complete the prerequisite courses for a school of medicine. Prerequisites typically include general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and math. Many schools include additional courses like biochemistry, psychology, and sociology.
Common major choices for MD programs include biology and chemistry, but some students choose non-science majors like psychology, economics, or English. What matters more is choosing a major you enjoy and can perform well in, since your GPA is a critical factor in medical school admissions.
Maximize Your Journey With Personalized Coaching
Navigating the path to pre-med can feel overwhelming as a high school student, especially when you’re trying to make the right decisions early on. From choosing the right colleges to building a strong academic and extracurricular profile to gain admission to those schools, every step is amplified.
That’s where we come in. At MedSchoolCoach, we work directly with high school students to help them stay on track, avoid common mistakes, and build a clear, strategic plan that sets them up for success in college and beyond.
If you’re ready to take a more intentional approach to your pre-med journey, we’re here to help. Through our Pre-Med Coach program, you’ll work one-on-one with both a college advisor and a Physician Advisor to map out your path from high school to college and beyond.
