UPenn ACT: Average Scores, Ranges, and What You Need to Know

With an average composite score of 35 and a range extending from 34 to 36, University of Pennsylvania represents one of the most selective institutions in the country, and earning admission with an ACT score that falls below the 25th percentile would be significantly challenging. The school has a very low acceptance rate, which means the vast majority of admitted students have achieved these exceptionally high scores. Simply meeting or exceeding the average is not a ticket to acceptance at Penn, as these numbers reflect the academic component alone of an enormously selective applicant pool.

A good ACT score for University of Pennsylvania typically means scoring in the range of 34 to 36, with 35 being the target that puts you in the middle of admitted students. However, it is crucial to understand that a high ACT score does not guarantee your admission to Penn. Many applicants with perfect or near-perfect ACT scores are rejected each year because the school evaluates you as a complete person, not just a test taker. Your essays, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, demonstrated interest, personal background, and how you've challenged yourself academically all matter significantly in the decision.

While there is technically no official minimum ACT score required by the university, you should aim for at least a 33 to have a realistic chance of being considered. Scoring below 33 would put you well below the 25th percentile, and an ACT score in the low 30s or below would make acceptance extremely unlikely unless you have truly exceptional qualities elsewhere in your application. That said, Penn explicitly states they conduct a comprehensive review process and consider multiple factors beyond test scores, so if your ACT falls short but you have other significant strengths, do not rule out applying. Just be realistic about your odds if your score is notably below their typical range.

University of Pennsylvania has recently reinstated standardized testing requirements beginning with the 2025-26 application cycle, meaning you are required to submit either an SAT or ACT score for future applications. Applicants who face genuine hardship in accessing testing can request a waiver, but the default expectation is that you will submit one of these exams. This marks a change from the test-optional years, so make sure you understand the current policy if you are applying.

Penn employs a superscoring method for the ACT, which works to your advantage in multiple ways. If you take the ACT more than once, the school considers your highest individual section scores across all test dates and combines them to calculate your best composite score. This means you can take the test multiple times, improve a weak Math score on one attempt and a weak English score on another, and Penn will piece together your strongest composite. The Science section is not required when you submit ACT scores, further giving you flexibility in how you present your testing profile.

Understanding how Penn evaluates your ACT score requires recognizing that standardized testing is just one component of a holistic admissions review. Penn admissions officers examine your coursework rigor, grades, essays, recommendations, leadership, and personal qualities alongside your test score. Even applicants with a 36 ACT can be rejected because admissions officers are looking for students who will thrive intellectually and contribute meaningfully to campus life. Your test score helps confirm that you can handle Penn's academic demands, but it does not make the case for admission on its own.

At a school as highly selective as Penn, having strong test scores actually narrows down the applicant pool but does not separate you from other high-scoring applicants. Instead, admissions officers focus on what makes you unique as a person and student. They want to understand how you think, what drives you, what challenges you have overcome, and how you will make the Penn community better. Your ACT score signals that you have the intellectual capability to succeed at Penn, but the rest of your application demonstrates whether you deserve one of the roughly 3,500 spots they offer each year. This is why students with 34 ACT scores sometimes get accepted while students with 36 ACT scores are denied.

AdmitStudio users who have found success at top colleges often approach their applications as a single, cohesive story, not a checklist of impressive achievements. Rather than treating essays, activities, and recommendations as separate pieces, they focus on presenting themselves as a clear, memorable individual with defined values, motivations, and strengths. Their essays help admissions officers understand why they pursued certain activities, how their experiences shaped them, and what kind of person they would be on campus. This clarity makes it easier for readers to grasp who the applicant is within just a few minutes of review.

AdmitStudio users who are successful also tend to use their essays to connect and reinforce the rest of their application, not repeat it. The essay highlights a few core traits, such as curiosity, leadership, resilience, or initiative, while the activities list and recommendations quietly support those same traits with evidence. By aligning every part of the application around a consistent narrative, these students stand out not because they try to be extraordinary, but because they are specific, authentic, and intentional. Admissions officers come away with a strong sense of the applicant's identity and how they would uniquely contribute to the university community.