Short answer: Caltech’s fall 2025 first-years who sent the SAT scored 790 to 800 in Math and 760 to 780 in Reading and Writing (25th to 75th percentile), according to Caltech’s 2025 to 2026 Common Data Set. Adding the sections gives a total of roughly 1550 to 1580. And yes, Caltech requires the SAT or ACT.
Caltech at a glance
Math: 790 (25th) | 790 (median) | 800 (75th)
Reading and Writing: 760 | 760 | 780
Share of first-years who sent the SAT: 78%
Testing: required
Caltech has no College Scorecard SAT range because it was test-free from fall 2021 through fall 2024 entry. These numbers come straight from Caltech’s own Common Data Set.
Does Caltech require the SAT?
Yes. On April 11, 2024, Caltech restored its SAT or ACT requirement, effective immediately for students applying in fall 2024. A faculty committee concluded that test scores give useful information about academic preparation.
- Section scores, not the total: Caltech looks at each section score instead of your composite.
- Deadlines: November 1 for Restrictive Early Action and early January for Regular Decision.
Caltech’s score buckets
Caltech now sorts each SAT section score into a bucket, so students without perfect scores are not scared away from applying:
| Bucket | SAT section score |
|---|---|
| A | 780 to 800 |
| B | 750 to 770 |
| C | Below 750 |
Caltech also says successful applicants have traditionally scored 700 or higher on each SAT section.
What SAT score should you aim for?
For Math, aim for Bucket A: 780 or higher. Caltech’s 25th percentile in Math is 790, so three quarters of its first-years who sent the SAT scored 790 or above. In Reading and Writing, 760 is both the 25th percentile and the median, so a 760 or higher puts you in line with most Caltech students.
Caltech judges each section separately, so a perfect Math score does not hide a weak Reading and Writing score. Prepare both.
Aiming for Bucket A?
Take a free full-length practice test and check your Math against 780.
How to raise your score
- Find your weaker section with a free full-length practice test.
- Practice at the top difficulty level with these hard SAT math questions and this hard SAT English practice test.
- Drill your weak skills in Targeted Practice.
- Compare schools in the College Finder.
Frequently asked questions
What SAT score do you need for Caltech?
There is no cutoff, but fall 2025 first-years who sent the SAT scored 790 to 800 in Math and 760 to 780 in Reading and Writing.
Does Caltech require the SAT?
Yes. Caltech restored its SAT or ACT requirement in April 2024.
What are Caltech's testing buckets?
Caltech sorts each section score: 780 to 800 is Bucket A, 750 to 770 is Bucket B, and below 750 is Bucket C.
Sources
- Caltech, Caltech Restores Standardized Test Requirement (April 2024).
- Caltech Undergraduate Admissions, Standardized Testing Buckets.
- Caltech Institutional Research Office, Common Data Set 2025-2026, section C9.
Frequently Asked Questions
What SAT score do you need for Caltech?
There is no cutoff, but fall 2025 first-years who sent the SAT scored 790 to 800 in Math and 760 to 780 in Reading and Writing.
Does Caltech require the SAT?
Yes. Caltech restored its SAT or ACT requirement in April 2024.
What are Caltech's testing buckets?
Caltech sorts each section score: 780 to 800 is Bucket A, 750 to 770 is Bucket B, and below 750 is Bucket C.