What's considered a good SAT score these days?

Hey guys, I've been hearing a lot about the SAT and wanted to know what's usually considered a good score now. Is there a particular range most colleges look for? Thanks!

Hello! A good SAT score varies depending on the colleges you're aiming for. Generally, a score of 1200 or above is considered above average. Here's a quick breakdown of SAT score ranges, though, to help you understand what's considered good:

1. Top-tier colleges and Ivy League schools: For these highly competitive institutions, a score of 1450 or higher is considered strong, with most admitted students scoring in the range of 1500-1600.

2. Highly selective colleges: For these schools, a score of 1350 or higher is desirable, as it places you in a competitive range for admission.

3. Moderately selective colleges: A score of 1200 or higher is generally considered good for moderately selective schools, as it signifies above-average performance.

4. Less selective colleges: For less selective schools, a score in the range of 1050-1200 should be sufficient for admission.

Overall, colleges may have different score expectations depending on their selectivity and applicant pool. To find out what SAT scores are competitive for the specific colleges you're interested in, check their admissions websites for the middle 50% range of accepted students. This information will give you a good idea of the score range you should aim for to be a competitive candidate.

Also, keep in mind that many colleges have adopted test-optional policies in recent years, which allow students to apply without submitting SAT scores. So, even if your SAT score isn't as high as you would like, other aspects of your application, such as your GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations, can help make you a competitive candidate for admission. There may still be instances in which submitting your SAT score might make sense, though, so I'd recommend checking out this blog post from CollegeVine to get a clearer sense of how to navigate test-optional policies: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-ohio-state-university-essays.

Good luck!