What is the average SAT score overall?

Hey there! Just trying to get a feel for where I stand in terms of my SAT score. What's the average SAT score, and what's considered a good score to have for admissions?

Hello! The average SAT score typically lies around 1050-1060, with roughly 530 in Math and 520 in Reading and Writing. These averages are based on the possible score ranges of 200-800 for each section, resulting in a total range of 400-1600.

While these are the averages, it's important to remember that a "good" SAT score depends on the context of the colleges you're interested in. Generally, a score at or above 1200 is considered competitive. However, for more selective colleges, you might be looking at scores in the 1400s or 1500s.

To gauge what's considered a good score for the schools on your list, look at the middle 50% SAT score ranges for accepted students at those institutions. This information, which you can generally find directly on a school's website or through third parties like CollegeVine, will give you a better idea of what each specific college generally expects.

Keep in mind that many schools now have test-optional admissions policies, which means they don't require an SAT score (although some of them may become test-requiring again in the near future). If you have a strong academic and extracurricular profile, but your SAT score isn't as high as you'd like, you still have a good chance at admission if you choose not to submit your score. If you'd like to learn more about the intricacies of test-optional policies, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional

Moreover, whether or not you submit a test score, colleges generally evaluate applications holistically, looking at factors such as grades, rigor of courses taken, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. A lower SAT score can sometimes be compensated for with strengths in these other areas.

In summary, research the SAT middle 50% ranges of the schools you're interested in, evaluate whether applying test-optional would make sense for you, and focus on crafting a strong and well-rounded overall application. Good luck!