Texas top 10% rule and UT Austin’s top 5%

The rule

Top 10% of the graduating class at a Texas high school, with the Distinguished Level of Achievement or a qualifying test score. Rank counts at the end of grade 11, the middle of grade 12 or graduation, whichever is most recent at the application deadline. UT Austin admits the top 5% for 2027 and 2028 entry.

Automatic admission is to the university, not to a major. Competitive majors can still place a student elsewhere.

Two conditions besides rank

The Distinguished Level of Achievement, or a qualifying ACT or SAT score. What it takes
Apply in time, by the university’s deadline, with rank reported by the high school.

How rank is counted, by district

Katy ISD

Students see their rank in Home Access Center from spring of grade 9. In spring of grade 11, students in the top 10% are told their exact rank and everyone gets a quartile. Final rank is calculated at the end of the second six weeks of the spring semester of the graduating year.

Lamar CISD

Lamar CISD computes rank for graduation honors at the end of the fifth six weeks of senior year, and for college applications as state law requires (no earlier than the end of grade 11). Rank is reported as a number out of the class size.

Each district weights advanced courses its own way, so the same transcript can rank differently in two districts. Pennantist shows your teen’s weighted GPA by your district’s own rules.

Sources, checked Nov 7, 2026

Rules change. Confirm with your school counselor before course selection.

Texas top 10% rule: UT Austin takes the top 5% for 2027 entry