University of Wisconsin ACT Scores: What Most People Get Wrong About Madison Admissions

You're staring at a screen. Maybe it's a 28. Maybe it's a 34. You’re wondering if that number is enough to get you into a place where "Jump Around" is a lifestyle and Bascom Hill is a daily quad workout. Honestly, trying to pin down the University of Wisconsin ACT scores required for admission feels like trying to predict the weather in Madison—it’s unpredictable, occasionally stressful, and everyone has a different opinion on it.

Most people think there's a magic number. They think if they hit a 31, they’re in. If they get a 26, they’re out. That’s just not how it works anymore, especially since the world of college admissions flipped on its head a few years back.

The Test-Optional Reality at UW-Madison

Let's get the big elephant out of the room first. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is currently test-optional. This isn't some secret club rule; it’s a policy that has been extended through the 2024-2025 application cycle. If you don't submit a score, they won't hunt you down. They won't look at your application and think, "Wow, this person must be hiding a 12."

But here’s the kicker.

Just because it's optional doesn't mean the scores don't matter. For the students who do submit, the University of Wisconsin ACT scores remain incredibly competitive. We are talking about a flagship university that receives over 60,000 applications a year. They have to filter that somehow. If you have a high score, it’s a massive green flag. It’s evidence. It’s a data point that says, "Hey, I can handle the rigor of a Top 40 research university."

So, what are the actual numbers?

Usually, the middle 50% range for admitted students who submit scores sits comfortably between 28 and 33.

Think about that for a second.

If you have a 33, you are at the top end of that middle chunk. If you have a 28, you are at the bottom end. If you have a 27 or below, you aren't "disqualified," but you better have some seriously impressive stuff elsewhere in your folder. Maybe you started a business. Maybe you're a literal wizard at calculus. Or maybe you've spent four years volunteering in a way that actually changed your community.

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Breaking Down the Percentiles

If you're a data person, you want the hard breaks. The 25th percentile is typically around a 28. The 75th percentile is often a 32 or 33.

Wait.

Does that mean half the kids are between those two numbers? Exactly. It also means 25% of admitted students—thousands of people—scored above a 33. That is a lot of high-achieving humans in one spot. Conversely, it means 25% scored below a 28. Those are the students who likely brought something else to the table that the admissions officers couldn't ignore.

Nuance matters here.

Madison looks at your "holistic" profile. I know, I know. Every college says that. It sounds like corporate fluff. But at a school like Wisconsin, it actually means they are looking for a reason to say yes that goes beyond a Saturday morning in a high school cafeteria filling out bubbles with a No. 2 pencil.

Why Your Score Choice Depends on Your Major

Here is something most "guides" won't tell you. A 29 might be a "golden ticket" for some majors, while it’s a "maybe" for others.

If you are applying to the College of Engineering or the Wisconsin School of Business, the bar is higher. Period. These are direct-entry programs or highly competitive tracks where the quantitative side of the ACT—that Math and Science section—gets a lot of scrutiny. If you want to be a Badger engineer, and your ACT Math score is a 24, you’re going to have a tough time, even if your composite is a 29.

They want to see that you can handle the heavy lifting.

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On the flip side, if you're headed into the College of Letters & Science for something like History or Communication Arts, they might lean harder on your English and Reading scores. They want to see that you can write a coherent essay and synthesize complex information. It’s about fit. It’s about proving you belong in the specific classroom you're trying to sit in.

The In-State vs. Out-of-State Divide

Let’s be real for a minute. It is harder to get into Madison if you are from New Jersey or California than if you are from Green Bay or Wausau.

The university has a mandate to serve the people of Wisconsin. This means the University of Wisconsin ACT scores for in-state residents might be slightly more flexible than for those applying from the coasts. Out-of-state applicants are often competing in a much more crowded pool with higher average scores. If you're an international student or from a high-population state, you basically want to be at or above that 75th percentile (the 32-33 range) to feel "safe."

Is anyone ever really safe in admissions? No. But you get the point.

What to Do if Your Score Sucks

Okay, "sucks" is a strong word. Let's say your score is "sub-optimal." Maybe you got a 25.

You have two choices.

One: You don't submit it. Since UW-Madison is test-optional, you can just lean on your GPA. If you have a 3.9 unweighted GPA and a 25 ACT, do not submit that score. It will only hurt the "academic rigor" vibe you’ve built with your grades. Your GPA is a four-year story; your ACT is a four-hour snapshot. If the snapshot is blurry, throw it away.

Two: You retake it. But only if you actually have a plan. Don't just go back and hope for the best. Use a program. Focus on the sections that dragged you down. The University of Wisconsin superscores the ACT. This is huge.

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Wait, let me clarify that because it's a common point of confusion.

Superscoring means if you took the test in October and got a 30 in Math but a 22 in English, and then took it in December and got a 24 in Math but a 31 in English, Madison will take your 30 and your 31 to create a new, higher composite score. It’s the most student-friendly way to look at testing. It rewards persistence. It acknowledges that everyone has a bad day.

The GPA vs. ACT Battle

If you have to choose between a perfect ACT and a perfect GPA, choose the GPA every single time.

Admissions officers at Madison, like Andre Phillips (the long-time director of admissions), have often emphasized that the best predictor of success at UW is how you performed in high school over the long haul. Did you take AP Bio? Did you challenge yourself with Honors English?

If you have a 32 ACT but a 3.2 GPA, the admissions committee is going to think you're smart but lazy. That is a dangerous label to have. They would much rather see a 28 ACT and a 4.0 GPA. That shows grit. That shows someone who shows up every day and does the work.

Real Talk on "The Curve"

The reality of 2026 admissions is that everyone is talented.

When you apply to Wisconsin, you aren't just competing against a number. You are competing against the "Badger Vibe." They want "sifters and winnowers"—people who are going to contribute to the research culture.

Does a 34 ACT make you a better researcher than a 29? Not necessarily. But it does show you can master a standardized system.

Actionable Steps for Your UW Application

If you’re actually serious about wearing the red and white, stop obsessing over the forums where people brag about their 36s. That's a rabbit hole of anxiety that leads nowhere. Instead, do this:

1. Audit your score. Is your ACT composite at least a 28? If yes, and it matches your GPA "strength," submit it. If it’s below a 27 and your GPA is high, go test-optional.
2. Check your sub-scores. If you’re going for STEM, ensure that Math score is 29+. If it isn't, consider a retake focused solely on that section for the superscore.
3. Write a killer essay. Since scores are optional, the "Why Wisconsin" and personal statements carry double the weight. Don't just talk about the lake. Talk about the specific lab or professor you want to work with.
4. Mind the deadline. Whether you submit a score or not, getting that application in for the Early Action deadline (usually November 1) is statistically advantageous. It shows you're prepared.
5. Verify the latest policy. While the 2025 cycle is test-optional, the Board of Regents discusses these things annually. Always check the official UW-Madison Freshman Admissions page before you hit "submit" to ensure no last-minute policy shifts have occurred.

The University of Wisconsin ACT scores are a tool, not a crystal ball. Use them to strengthen your case, but don't let a "low" number keep you from applying if the rest of your story is legendary. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take—and that's a philosophy they appreciate in the land of Bo Ryan and Greg Gard.