Estimate your Academic Index (AI) using the formula Ivy League schools use to evaluate applicants. Understand your CGS score and where you stand academically.
The same calculation used for athletic recruitment and admissions screening—now accessible to everyone.
Estimate your AI for Ivy League admissions
Use your unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Do not include weighted honors/AP boost.
Everything you need to know about the Academic Index formula, CGS conversion, and how Ivy League schools evaluate your academic credentials.
The Academic Index (AI) is a formula developed by the Ivy League to create a standardized measure of academic achievement across applicants from different high schools and testing backgrounds. Originally created in 1986 to regulate athletic recruitment, the AI has become a de facto screening tool that admissions officers use to quickly assess where an applicant falls academically relative to the admitted class.
The formula combines three components:
For students submitting test scores, the maximum AI is 240 (80 + 80 + 80). For test-optional applicants, some schools evaluate on a 221-point scale using only the CGS component, though this varies by institution.
Why it matters: While Ivy League schools use holistic admissions, the AI functions as a "first cut" filter. Applicants significantly below the institutional average may not receive full consideration, while those above the median have essentially "cleared the academic bar" and are evaluated primarily on other factors like essays, activities, and recommendations.
The median AI at most Ivy League schools typically falls between 220-230 for admitted students, though recruited athletes may be admitted with lower scores (often cited as 176+ for "Tier 1" sports at some institutions).
The Converted Grade Score (CGS) is perhaps the most opaque component of the Academic Index formula. Unlike standardized test scores, which convert directly, GPA requires a special conversion to account for variations in grading scales across high schools.
The generally accepted CGS conversion table is:
Important notes about CGS:
The conversion uses your unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Weighted GPAs that exceed 4.0 (from AP/honors courses) are not used in this calculation—course rigor is evaluated separately in holistic review.
The CGS scale is intentionally compressed at the top end. Notice that the difference between a 3.0 and 4.0 GPA spans only 10 CGS points (70 to 80), while the difference between a 3.6 and 4.0 is only 7 points. This reflects the reality that small GPA differences at the top of the scale are less meaningful predictors of college success than the overall pattern of achievement.
Some versions of the formula incorporate class rank as an alternative or supplement to GPA. A student in the top 1% of their class would receive a CGS of 80 regardless of their raw GPA, while top 5% might convert to 77-79. However, as fewer high schools report class rank, the GPA-based conversion has become more prevalent.
Test scores are converted to a 20-80 scale to align with the CGS component. The conversion is straightforward for the SAT, while ACT scores require an additional concordance step.
SAT Conversion (Digital SAT 1600 scale):
Each SAT section is divided by 10 to produce a converted score. For example:
This means a perfect 1600 SAT (800+800) contributes 160 points to your AI, while a 1400 SAT (700+700) contributes 140 points.
ACT Conversion:
The ACT Composite score is converted using a formula that produces similar outcomes to the SAT conversion:
Since the ACT reports a single composite score rather than two section scores, the converted ACT score is used for both the "Test Score 1" and "Test Score 2" components in the AI formula.
Which scores should you submit? Use the official SAT-ACT concordance tables to compare your scores. If your ACT Composite concordance is higher than your SAT total, submit the ACT—and vice versa. Small differences (under 30 points in SAT-equivalent) are unlikely to meaningfully impact your AI.
Academic Index benchmarks vary by institution, but general guidelines based on available data and admissions consultant reports suggest the following tiers:
225-240: Exceptional (Above Ivy Median)
Students in this range have essentially "maxed out" their academic credentials. At this level, the AI is rarely a limiting factor in admissions—decisions hinge almost entirely on essays, extracurriculars, recommendations, and demonstrated passion. Approximately 10-15% of Ivy League applicants fall into this category.
210-224: Competitive (Strong Consideration)
This is the range where most admitted students cluster. Your application will receive full consideration, and admissions officers will focus on non-academic factors to differentiate you. Students in this range are often admitted—but also often rejected—based on the strength of their overall application narrative.
190-209: Within Range (Requires Differentiation)
Applicants at this level are academically viable but face stiffer competition. Admissions rates for this tier are lower than for higher-AI applicants, meaning you need exceptional hooks: recruited athlete status, extraordinary achievements, compelling personal circumstances, or transformative essays that reframe your academic record.
Below 190: Academic Reach
Students significantly below 190 face long odds at Ivy League schools unless they have a specific institutional priority (legacy, development case, or recruited athlete with special consideration). This doesn't mean you shouldn't apply, but realistic expectations and a balanced college list are essential.
Important caveat: These benchmarks represent general patterns, not hard cutoffs. Holistic admissions means that students with lower AIs are admitted every year when their applications demonstrate exceptional qualities that numbers can't capture.
The rise of test-optional admissions policies has created uncertainty about how the Academic Index functions for students who don't submit SAT or ACT scores. The short answer: it depends on the institution.
Two approaches to test-optional AI:
Approach 1: Adjusted Scale (221 Maximum)
Some schools calculate a modified AI using only the CGS component, scaled to a maximum of approximately 221 points. A student with a 4.0 GPA (80 CGS) would receive an AI of 221, allowing comparison against other test-optional applicants. However, this score is not directly comparable to the 240-point scale used for test-submitting applicants.
Approach 2: Holistic GPA Review
Other institutions have reportedly moved away from a numerical AI entirely for test-optional applicants, instead evaluating GPA in context of course rigor, school profile, and grade trends. This approach essentially removes the "standardized comparison" element that the AI was designed to provide.
Strategic implications:
If you have strong test scores that would boost your AI significantly, submitting them is generally advisable. If your test scores would drag your AI below what your GPA alone suggests, going test-optional may be strategic—particularly if your GPA is at or above the median for admitted students.
The uncertainty around test-optional AI calculation means that non-academic factors (essays, activities, recommendations) become even more critical for these applicants. Without a standardized academic benchmark, admissions officers must rely more heavily on qualitative assessment.
The Academic Index was originally created for recruited athletes, and it continues to play a significant role in Ivy League athletic recruitment. Unlike Division I schools with athletic scholarships, the Ivy League uses the AI to ensure academic standards are maintained for athletes.
The Ivy League Athletic Agreement:
The eight Ivy League schools have agreed to maintain academic standards through AI requirements. While specific thresholds are not publicly disclosed, the agreement requires that:
Reported thresholds (unverified):
Based on athletic recruitment forums and consultant reports, commonly cited minimums for athletic recruitment include:
What this means for athletes:
If you're being recruited for Ivy League athletics, your coach will likely discuss AI requirements directly. The key insight is that while athletes may be admitted with lower AIs than the general applicant pool, there are still floors below which even top athletic talent cannot be admitted. If you're a borderline academic recruit, improving your test scores or maintaining your GPA can be the difference between receiving a "likely letter" and being told you don't "qualify academically."
This calculator implements the widely-accepted Academic Index formula as documented by admissions consultants, college counselors, and educational researchers. However, several important limitations should be understood:
What we calculate accurately:
Sources of potential variance:
How to use these results:
Your calculated AI provides a useful benchmark for understanding your academic competitiveness, but it should be viewed as an estimate rather than an official score. Admissions is holistic, and many students with AIs below the median are admitted every year based on the strength of their complete applications.
Use your AI as one data point among many: school research, admitted student profiles, and candid conversations with your school counselor will provide additional context for building a balanced college list.
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