If you are researching the ACT score required for Auburn, here is what you need to know upfront: Auburn University is a moderately selective school with an acceptance rate of 45.9%. That means nearly half of all applicants are rejected. Your ACT score is one of the most actionable variables in your application, and knowing exactly where you need to be before you apply is worth more than any last-minute preparation tip.

Here is the full picture.

Auburn ACT Score Requirements at a Glance

What Is the Average ACT Score for Auburn?

The average ACT score for Auburn is 27. Here is how the full score range breaks down:

• 25th percentile: 26 (below this range puts you at a significant disadvantage)
• Average: 27 (right at the competitive midpoint)
• 75th percentile: 31 (above this range makes you a very strong candidate)

A score of 26 is the practical floor. Applying with anything below that requires an exceptionally strong application in every other dimension. A score of 27 puts you right at the average. A score of 31 or above puts you in the top quarter and gives your application a strong academic foundation.

Auburn ACT Score Requirements by Section

The Auburn ACT score requirements go beyond the composite. Here is how each section breaks down for admitted students:

What this tells you is that the Reading and English sections show the widest spread among admitted students. If your composite is at or near 27 but your Reading or English scores are pulling it down, those are your highest-leverage sections to target before applying.

What ACT Score Is Competitive for Auburn?

Auburn is moderately selective. Its 45.9% acceptance rate means the school has genuine academic standards and is not simply admitting everyone who applies. Here is how to read your score in the context of Auburn admissions.

Score of 25 or below: You are below the 25th percentile. Admission is possible but your GPA, essays, and extracurriculars need to be exceptional to compensate. At this level your ACT score is a weakness in your application, not a neutral factor.

Score of 26 to 27: You are within the competitive range but on the lower end. Your application is viable but the rest of your file, including GPA, coursework rigor, and personal statement, needs to be strong to carry weight alongside an average or below-average test score.

Score of 28 to 30: You are above the average and in a solid position. Your ACT score is a strength and will not raise concerns during the review process.

Score of 31 and above: You are in the top quarter of admitted students. At this level your score is an asset that actively strengthens your application and positions you well for merit scholarship consideration.

How GPA Interacts With Your ACT Score

The average GPA for admitted Auburn students is 4.09, which is a weighted GPA. That means Auburn expects students at or near the top of their class, typically with mostly A’s and a strong lineup of AP or IB courses.

If your GPA is at or below 4.09, your ACT score becomes more important in the review process. A student with a 3.8 GPA and a 30 ACT is in a meaningfully better position than a student with a 3.8 GPA and a 26 ACT. The two numbers work together and a strong test score can offset a GPA that is slightly below the average.

If you are a junior or senior whose GPA is difficult to change at this stage, your ACT score is the most actionable variable left in your application. Improving it before you apply is the single highest-leverage move you can make.

Auburn’s ACT Score Sending Policy

When you send ACT scores to Auburn, you have complete control over which scores you submit. You can take the ACT multiple times and choose to send only your highest score. Auburn will see only the score you submit.

This matters for your preparation strategy. There is no penalty for retaking the ACT at Auburn. If your current score is below 27, retaking is almost always worth the investment of time and preparation, particularly if you are targeting merit scholarships that require scores in the 28 to 31 range.

Auburn ACT Requirements Compared to Similar Schools

To put the auburn act scores requirement in context, here is how Auburn compares to schools at a similar and higher level of selectivity:

Reach schools (harder to get into than Auburn):

• Rochester Institute of Technology, ACT average 31
• Penn State University Park, ACT average 30
• Florida State University, ACT average 30
• University of Texas at Austin, ACT average 30
• University of California Santa Barbara, ACT average 29

Same level as Auburn:

• University of Georgia, ACT average 29
• Temple University, ACT average 28
• University of Texas at Dallas, ACT average 28
• University of California Davis, ACT average 28
• University of Cincinnati, ACT average 27
• University of Alabama, ACT average 26

Safety schools (easier to get into than Auburn):

• Quinnipiac University, ACT average 25
• Ohio University, ACT average 25
• University of Arizona, ACT average 25
• California State University Long Beach, ACT average 23
• Washington State University, ACT average 23

If you are scoring at or above 27, you are competitive for Auburn and the schools ranked at a similar level. A score of 31 or above opens the door to several more selective schools on the reach list.

How to Hit Your Auburn ACT Target

If your current score is below 26 or you are aiming to push it to 27 or higher before applying, the path forward is straightforward: targeted preparation built around the specific sections and question types that are costing you the most points.

The students who improve their ACT scores enough to cross meaningful thresholds share a consistent approach:

• They started with a diagnostic baseline that showed them exactly where their points were going
• They focused preparation on their weakest sections rather than reviewing material they already knew
• They drilled the specific section gaps the data identified. For most Auburn applicants that means Reading and English first
• They practiced with full timed tests to build the pacing habits that prevent avoidable errors under pressure
• They reviewed every mistake before moving on and used that analysis to drive the next session
• They tracked progress over time so improvement was measurable, not assumed

That approach works regardless of starting point. A student at a 24 can realistically reach 27 with structured preparation over several weeks. A student at 27 can push to 30 or 31 with targeted work on two or three specific weak areas.

How ScoreSmart Can Help You Hit Your Auburn Target

If Auburn is on your list and your ACT score is not where it needs to be yet, ScoreSmart’s digital ACT test prep is built around exactly the kind of preparation that moves scores. Rather than giving you a generic curriculum, ScoreSmart shows you precisely which sections and question types are costing you the most points and builds your preparation around closing those specific gaps.

Whether you need to cross the 26 threshold to stay competitive or push from 27 to 31 to put yourself in the top quarter of Auburn applicants, the analytics ScoreSmart provides give you a clear, specific path to improve your ACT score before your application deadline.

Your target score is reachable. The question is whether your preparation is built to get you there.

The Bottom Line

Here is what every Auburn applicant needs to know about Auburn ACT score requirements:

• The average ACT score for admitted students is 27
• The competitive range is 26 to 31, with 26 as the practical floor and 31 putting you in the top quarter
• There is no minimum score required for admission, but scores below 26 add significant pressure to the rest of your application
• Reading and English show the widest score spread among admitted students and are the highest-leverage sections to improve
• Auburn’s score sending policy gives you full control over which ACT score you submit, making retakes low-risk and often worth it
• A strong ACT score can offset a GPA that falls below the 4.09 average, making preparation one of the most valuable investments you can make before applying

A score of 27 puts you in a competitive position. A score of 31 makes your ACT a genuine asset. Get there with the right preparation and your path to Auburn gets significantly clearer.

If you are researching LSU SAT scores requirements, here is the most important update before anything else: LSU has reinstated its standardized testing requirement after going test-optional in the years following COVID-19. Starting summer 2027, applicants with a GPA below 3.5 must submit test scores. By summer 2028, all applicants must submit scores regardless of GPA.

That means your SAT score matters again. Here is exactly what you need to know.

LSU SAT Score Requirements at a Glance

Does LSU Require the SAT?

Yes. The LSU Board of Supervisors voted in February 2026 to reinstate standardized test score submissions for all applicants to its Baton Rouge campus. The decision came directly from LSU’s own academic data. According to interim Provost Troy Blanchard, retention rates for students admitted as test-optional applicants from 2021 to 2024 were 4.3% lower than students who submitted test scores.

The Board’s Academic Committee argued the change would better align LSU with peer institutions and strengthen academic performance across incoming classes.

There is no minimum SAT score required for admission. Test scores are one component of a holistic admissions review that also considers GPA, coursework rigor, essays, and extracurricular activities. But submitting a strong score significantly strengthens your application.

What SAT Score Do You Need for LSU?

The LSU SAT score data breaks down like this:

• Average SAT score: 1248
• 25th percentile: 1180 (below this range puts you at a disadvantage)
• 75th percentile: 1320 (above this range makes you a strong candidate)
• Average GPA of admitted students: 3.83
• Acceptance rate: 73.3%

A score of 1180 is the practical floor. A score of 1248 puts you right at the average. A score of 1320 or above puts you well ahead of the majority of admitted students.

Here is the SAT section breakdown for admitted LSU students:

What SAT Score Is Competitive for LSU?

LSU has an acceptance rate of 73.3%, which means most applicants who meet the basic academic profile are admitted. But meeting the basic profile is not the same as being prepared. Here is how to read your score in the context of LSU admissions.

Score below 1180: You are below the 25th percentile. Admission is still possible but the rest of your application — GPA, essays, coursework rigor — needs to carry significant weight to compensate.

Score of 1180 to 1248: You are within the competitive range of admitted students. Your SAT score is not a concern and the rest of your application will determine the outcome.

Score of 1248 to 1320: You are at or above the average. Your SAT score is a strength in your application and will not raise any questions during the review process.

Score of 1320 and above: You are in the top quarter of admitted students. At this level your score actively strengthens your application and positions you well for merit scholarship consideration.

LSU’s SAT Score Choice Policy

LSU uses a “Highest Sitting” score choice policy. This means LSU considers only your highest composite score from a single test date. You can take the SAT multiple times and choose which score to submit. Your application readers will see only the score you send.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you control which score gets submitted and LSU only looks at one sitting, you can test multiple times without any risk. Retaking the SAT under this policy is almost always worth it if your current score is below your target range.

How GPA Interacts With Your SAT Score

The average GPA for admitted LSU students is 3.83, which means LSU expects students near the top of their class. Most admitted students show mostly A’s, ideally with several AP or IB courses.

If your GPA is at or below 3.83, a stronger SAT score can help offset that gap. The two numbers work together in LSU’s holistic review. A student with a 3.6 GPA and a 1300 SAT is in a much better position than a student with a 3.6 GPA and a 1150 SAT.

If you are a junior or senior with a GPA that is difficult to change at this stage, your SAT score is the most actionable variable left in your application. Improving it is the single highest-leverage move you can make before applying.

Why LSU Reinstated the SAT Requirement

The data behind LSU’s decision is worth understanding because it tells you something meaningful about what the university expects from incoming students.

From 2021 to 2024, test-optional students at LSU had:

• Retention rates 4.3% lower than students who submitted test scores
• Lower average GPAs than peers who tested

LSU’s interim Provost stated clearly that standardized scores continue to provide valuable information as one of several components in the admissions process. The university is not using test scores to gatekeep. It is using them to identify students who are genuinely prepared for the academic demands of college coursework.

Submitting a strong SAT score signals exactly that.

LSU SAT Requirements Compared to Similar Schools

To put LSU’s SAT requirements in context, here is how it compares to schools at a similar level of selectivity:

Reach schools (harder to get into than LSU):

• Drexel University — SAT average 1340
• Penn State University Park — SAT average 1330
• University of Connecticut — SAT average 1330
• Auburn University — SAT average 1304

Same level as LSU:

• University of Cincinnati — SAT average 1260
• Texas Christian University — SAT average 1242
• University of Oklahoma — SAT average 1238
• Temple University — SAT average 1230
• University of Alabama — SAT average 1230

Safety schools (easier to get into than LSU):

• Quinnipiac University — SAT average 1200
• Ohio University — SAT average 1195
• Florida International University — SAT average 1160
• California State University Long Beach — SAT average 1145

If you are scoring at or above 1248, you are competitive for LSU and several similarly selective universities. A score of 1320 or above opens the door to schools ranked above LSU on this list.

How to Hit Your LSU SAT Target

If your current score is below 1180 or you are aiming to push it to 1248 or higher before applying, the path is straightforward: targeted preparation built around the specific sections and question types that are costing you points.

The students who improve their SAT scores enough to cross meaningful thresholds share a consistent approach:

• They started with a diagnostic baseline that showed them exactly where their points were going
• They focused preparation on their weakest sections rather than reviewing material they already knew
• They practiced with full timed tests to build the pacing habits that prevent avoidable errors under pressure
• They reviewed every mistake before moving on and used that analysis to drive the next session
• They tracked progress over time so improvement was measurable, not assumed

That approach works regardless of starting point. A student scoring 1100 can realistically reach 1200 or above with structured preparation over several weeks. A student at 1200 can push to 1300 with targeted work on two or three specific weak areas.

How ScoreSmart Can Help You Hit Your LSU Target

If LSU is on your list and your SAT score is not where it needs to be yet, ScoreSmart’s SAT test prep is built around exactly the kind of preparation that moves scores. Rather than giving you a generic curriculum, ScoreSmart shows you precisely which sections and question types are costing you the most points and builds your preparation around closing those specific gaps.

Whether you need to cross the 1180 threshold to stay competitive or push from 1248 to 1320 to stand out, the analytics ScoreSmart provides give you a clear, specific path to improve your SAT score before your application deadline.

Your target score is reachable. The question is whether your preparation is built to get you there.

The Bottom Line

Here is what every LSU applicant needs to know about SAT score requirements:

• LSU now requires SAT or ACT scores starting summer 2027 for students with GPAs below 3.5, expanding to all applicants in summer 2028
• The average SAT score for admitted students is 1248
• The competitive range is 1180 to 1320, with 1180 as the practical floor and 1320 putting you in the top quarter
• There is no minimum score required for admission, but scores below 1180 add pressure to the rest of your application
• LSU’s “Highest Sitting” policy means you can retake the SAT as many times as needed and submit only your best score
• Retention data confirms that students who submitted test scores performed better academically at LSU — which is exactly why the requirement was reinstated

A score of 1248 or above puts you in a strong position. A score of 1320 or above makes your SAT a genuine asset in your application. Get there with the right preparation and your path to LSU becomes significantly clearer.

If you are researching the required ACT score for LSU, here is the most important thing to understand upfront: LSU has just reinstated its standardized testing requirement after going test-optional in 2018. That means your ACT score matters again, and knowing exactly what range you need to be competitive is essential before you apply.

Here is the full picture.

LSU ACT Score Requirements at a Glance

Does LSU Require the ACT?

Yes. As of February 2026, the LSU Board of Supervisors voted to reinstate the ACT and SAT submission requirement for applicants to its Baton Rouge campus. The requirement currently applies to students with GPAs below 3.5, and will expand to all applicants starting with the summer 2028 semester.

Importantly, LSU does not require a minimum score to be admitted. Test scores are one part of a holistic admissions process that also considers GPA, coursework rigor, personal essays, and extracurricular activities. But submitting a strong score significantly improves your position.

What Is the ACT Score Needed for LSU?

The LSU ACT score data breaks down like this:

• Average ACT score: 27
• 25th percentile: 24 (below this range puts you at a disadvantage)
• 75th percentile: 30 (above this range makes you a strong candidate)
• Average GPA of admitted students: 3.83
• Acceptance rate: 73.3%

In practical terms, a score of 24 is the floor you want to stay above. A score of 27 or higher puts you right at the average. A score of 30 or above puts you well ahead of the majority of admitted students.

What ACT Score Is Competitive for LSU?

LSU is not a highly selective school. Its acceptance rate of 73.3% means most applicants who meet the basic academic profile are admitted. But “not selective” does not mean “take it for granted.” Here is how to read your score in the context of LSU admissions.

Score of 24 or below: You are at or below the 25th percentile. Admission is still possible but your GPA, essays, and other application components need to be strong to compensate.

Score of 25 to 27: You are within the middle range of admitted students. This is a solid position. Your application is competitive on the test score dimension and the rest of your file will determine the outcome.

Score of 28 to 30: You are at or above the average. Your ACT score is a strength in your application and will not raise any concerns in the review process.

Score of 30 and above: You are in the top quarter of admitted students. At this level your score actively strengthens your application and may open the door to merit scholarship consideration.

Why LSU Reinstated the ACT Requirement

LSU’s decision to bring back standardized testing came directly from its own retention and performance data. According to the university, students admitted as test-optional applicants from 2021 to 2024 had retention rates approximately 4% lower than students who submitted test scores. Their GPAs were also 0.3 points lower on average.

That data point matters for you as an applicant because it confirms what LSU is now communicating clearly: test scores are a genuine signal of college readiness. Submitting a strong score does not just check a box. It puts you in the category of students the data shows are more likely to persist and succeed.

How the ACT Score Fits Into LSU’s Holistic Process

LSU’s interim Provost confirmed that test scores will be one part of a comprehensive admissions review, not the only deciding factor. The university has also stated that scores will be used to place students into the right classes when needed, not just as a gatekeeping tool.

What this means for applicants:

• A strong score strengthens an already competitive application
• A lower score does not automatically disqualify you, but it adds pressure on the rest of your file
• A score above 27 removes any concern about your academic readiness and lets your other application components carry weight on their own merits

ACT Score Requirements for LSU Compared to Similar Schools

To put the ACT score required for LSU in context, here is how it compares to schools at a similar level of selectivity:

• Auburn University — Average ACT: 27 (same level as LSU)
• University of Alabama — Average ACT: 26
• University of Cincinnati — Average ACT: 27
• Temple University — Average ACT: 28
• University of Texas at Dallas — Average ACT: 28

If you are scoring at or above a 27, you are competitive not just for LSU but for a solid range of similarly selective universities. If you are targeting more selective schools alongside LSU, a score of 30 or above will make you competitive across the board.

How to Get the ACT Score You Need for LSU

If your current score is below 24 or you are aiming to push it to 27 or higher before applying, the path is straightforward: targeted preparation focused on the specific sections and question types that are costing you points.

The students who improve their ACT scores enough to cross meaningful thresholds share a consistent approach:

• They started with a diagnostic baseline that showed them exactly where their points were going
• They focused preparation time on their weakest sections rather than reviewing what they already knew
• They practiced with full timed tests to build the pacing habits that prevent avoidable errors
• They reviewed every mistake before moving on and used that analysis to drive the next session
• They tracked progress over time so improvement was measurable, not assumed

That approach works regardless of where you are starting. A student at a 22 can realistically reach a 26 or 27 with structured preparation over several weeks. A student at a 26 can push to a 29 or 30 with targeted work on two or three specific weak areas.

How ScoreSmart Can Help You Hit Your LSU Target

If LSU is on your list and your ACT score is not where it needs to be yet, ScoreSmart’s digital ACT test prep is built around exactly the kind of preparation that moves scores. Rather than giving you a generic study plan, ScoreSmart shows you precisely which sections and question types are costing you the most points and builds your preparation around closing those specific gaps.

Whether you need to cross the 24 threshold to strengthen your application or push from a 27 to a 30 to stand out, the analytics ScoreSmart provides give you a clear, specific path to improve your ACT score before your application deadline.

Your target score is reachable. The question is whether your preparation is built to get you there.

The Bottom Line

Here is what every LSU applicant needs to know about the LSU ACT scores requirement:

• LSU now requires ACT or SAT scores for applicants with GPAs below 3.5, expanding to all applicants in summer 2028
• The average ACT score for admitted students is 27
• The competitive range is 24 to 30, with 24 as the floor and 30 putting you in the top quarter
• There is no minimum score required for admission, but scores below 24 put added pressure on the rest of your application
• Retention and GPA data confirm that students who submit test scores perform better academically at LSU, which is exactly why the requirement was reinstated

A score of 27 or above puts you in a strong position. A score of 30 or above makes your ACT a genuine asset. Get there with the right preparation and your path to LSU gets significantly clearer.