Decoding the SAT: What's a good score?

I admit I'm a little overwhelmed with this whole SAT thing, and it's happening soon! Can anybody break it down for me as to what's considered a 'good' score on the SAT? Any nuggets of wisdom are much appreciated!

The SAT score is evaluated on a scale of 400 to 1600, with 1600 being the highest possible score. The score is divided into two parts: Reading and Writing, and Math, each contributing up to 800 points.

Here are some general benchmarks:

- A perfect score: 1600

- Excellent score: 1400-1600

- Good score: 1200-1390

- Average score: Around 1050

Keep in mind that what's considered a "good" score can vary depending on the colleges you're interested in. Each college has its own SAT score range that they consider acceptable, and they often publish statistics about the range of SAT scores of their admitted students. For example, highly selective colleges often have middle 50% SAT ranges above 1400.

There are also percentile ranks associated with SAT scores. For instance, if you score in the 90th percentile, it indicates that you scored better than 90% of test takers. These percentiles are another way universities can compare applicants.

Remember that while a higher SAT score can increase your chances of admission, it's just one aspect of your application. Your academic performance in high school, your extracurricular activities, your essays, and letters of recommendation also play significant roles in your application.

Lastly, don't forget that you're in the driver's seat here, and there are numerous resources to help with test-preparation so that you can maximize your SAT score. Take some practice tests, use helpful apps like Bluebook™ to prepare for the digital format, and consider other prep resources to feel more prepared and confident. You got this!