Macalester College is test-optional for first-year applicants, meaning students can choose whether to submit SAT scores. However, submitting SAT scores can give your application a competitive edge, especially if your scores are above the average. SAT scores are valid for 10 years after testing, so there's no need to take the test multiple times unless you want to update your scores.

Comparing SAT scores for Macalester College applicants shows a clear trend in academic strength. The average SAT score for admitted students is 1360, which is slightly below the national average. This indicates that Macalester College attracts students who are strong academically but may not necessarily score in the top percentile.