What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Average SAT Score? What's a good goal?

Hi everyone, hope y'all are having a less stressful junior year than me haha. Anyway, I was crunching numbers and realized I don't really know what a good 'average SAT score' is considered nationally. It would be awesome if someone could give me a rundown. Thanks in advance!

3 months ago

Hello! Yes, junior year can be quite the whirlwind, but it sounds like you're taking the necessary steps to prepare.

As for SAT scores, these often fluctuate slightly each year, but the average SAT score as of 2024 is around 1060 out of 1600 (600 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 500 for Math).

However, what is considered a "good" SAT score can vary widely depending on your college aspirations. For instance, more selective schools generally expect higher scores. At very competitive institutions—think Ivy League—the middle 50% of admitted students usually have SAT scores well above 1400.

Schools less selective than Ivies but still very competitive, maybe schools ranked in the 20s or 30s, you're probably aiming for around 1300 or higher. If you're considering state schools or less selective private schools, they might have middle 50% SAT ranges down to around 1150 or so.

Remember, it's always wise to research the middle 50% SAT scores of admitted students at the colleges on your list. This can give you a better idea of the score you should be aiming for.

Lastly, while a strong SAT score can certainly enhance your application, it's just one piece of the puzzle. Schools also take into account your GPA, course rigor, essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular involvement.

Best of luck with your preparations!

3 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.