Hey everyone, I just took the SAT and I'm wondering what's considered a good score now? I know the test has changed a bit over the years, so any insight would be appreciated!
A decent SAT score nowadays depends on the colleges you're interested in and your personal goals. The SAT is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600, with the Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (ERW) and Math sections each worth 800 points. Here's a general breakdown to give you an idea of what constitutes a good score:
1. Top-tier colleges (e.g., Ivy League, Stanford, MIT): A competitive score typically falls in the range of 1450-1600, with many top applicants scoring above 1500.
2. Highly-selective colleges (e.g., UCLA, NYU, Vanderbilt): A solid score would typically fall in the range of 1350-1450, though some might consider slightly lower scores as well.
3. Mid-tier colleges (e.g., Rutgers, Penn State, University of Oregon): A decent score is usually between 1150-1350, and each college has specific thresholds that they expect applicants to meet.
4. Less selective colleges and state schools: These schools may have more flexible SAT score requirements, often accepting scores ranging from 950-1150.
To determine what's considered a "good" score for you, research the middle 50% of accepted students at the schools you're interested in. This range will give you a better idea of the scores you should aim for. Keep in mind that colleges consider many factors during the admissions process, so a strong SAT score should be accompanied by a strong overall application (including GPA, extracurriculars, and essays) for the best chances of admission.
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