How are SAT scores ranked by state?

Hello everyone, I just read somewhere about SAT scores being ranked by state. Can anyone explain how this works? Do colleges take this into consideration when making admissions decisions?

Every year, the College Board publishes data that includes average SAT scores for students in each state. This information is a reflection of the quality of education and level of student preparation in the given region. It can also be influenced by how representative the students taking the SAT are of the entire student body in that state.

However, while these statistics may be interesting context, it's important to note that colleges typically do not consider this data when making individual admission decisions. Their evaluation of your application is based on your personal academic record, standardized test scores (if applicable), extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters, among other factors. In this process, the average SAT scores in your state have very little bearing.

Instead, colleges are interested in how your SAT score compares to the scores of other students applying to and attending the same institution, often referred to as the 'middle 50%' or 'interquartile range'. This is the range of scores achieved by the middle 50% of enrolled students, excluding the lowest 25% and highest 25% of scores. It is a way for colleges to communicate the competitiveness of their admitted students' scores.

Remember, a successful application goes beyond scores. A strong application needs to highlight a candidate's personal achievements, character traits, and a clear demonstration of well-suited interests for the intended course of study. So, while SAT (or ACT) scores are significant, they are only one of many facets considered in college admissions.