Understanding the Average SAT Score

Hi all. I'm studying for my SAT and I keep hearing a lot about the average SAT score and how it's used in the college application process. Does anyone know what this means? And what is the current average SAT score?

The average SAT score is an indication of how students typically perform on the SAT. It is calculated by adding up all the scores and then dividing by the number of test-takers.

As I respond to your post, the average SAT score, according to the College Board, is around 1060. This figure includes a Reading and Writing score around 520 and a Math score around 540. This average is derived from scores of students across the entire country and so can vary from year to year.

When considering the average SAT score in the context of college admissions, it's important to remember that the average score can vary significantly from college to college, as well as from state to state. Some highly selective universities may have higher average SAT scores, while others may be lower.

You might want to compare your SAT scores with the middle 50% SAT scores of students accepted to your target colleges. If your score falls within or above this range, your SAT score is likely competitive for that school. If it falls below this range, it might be more challenging, but not impossible, for you to gain admission.

However, keep in mind that the SAT is just one segment of your application and many colleges consider other factors, like GPAs, extracurricular activities, essays, letters of recommendation, etc. In some cases, SAT scores may have less weightage compared to other aspects of your application, depending on the admissions policies of the respective colleges. Certain schools have even adopted test-blind or test-optional policies. Therefore, while aiming for a high SAT score is advantageous, do not lose sight of other significant elements of your application.