Hi fellow juniors! I just took the SAT and I'm a little unsure about my score. Can anyone tell me what a good SAT score is? I know it varies depending on where you want to go or what major you're aiming for, but what's a general range I should aim for to have a competitive application?
Hi there! You're right that the definition of a "good" SAT score depends on various factors, including the colleges you're targeting and your intended major. However, I can give you a general idea of what's considered competitive based on the score range.
The SAT is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600, with 1600 being a perfect score. Scores around 1060 are considered to be the national average. Here's a breakdown of score percentiles to give you an idea of what's competitive:
- Around 1200-1350: This is above average and might be considered competitive for many state schools and less-selective private colleges.
- Around 1350-1450: This is a strong score that should make you competitive for a wide range of colleges, including many private universities and top public schools.
- Around 1450-1550: This score range is considered very competitive and might get you noticed by highly selective universities.
- Above 1550: This is an exceptional score that can potentially make you a strong candidate at the most elite universities, such as Ivy League schools and other top-tier institutions.
Of course, as you mentioned, different schools and majors might have varying expectations. You can check the middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students on many colleges' websites to get a better idea of what is considered competitive at each specific institution.
It's also important to note that many colleges have adopted test-optional policies, which means they don't require SAT scores for admissions. But if you do well on the SAT, submitting a score can still strengthen your application. Just remember that colleges typically use a holistic admissions process, so your SAT score is only one of many factors they'll consider. Good luck!
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