Hey! Need some guidance here. What would be considered a 'good' SAT score specifically in math? And how do U.S. colleges generally view this as part of the overall SAT performance? Any input will be super useful!
When it comes to determining what constitutes as a "good" SAT Math score, it can be helpful to look at SAT percentile ranks, which can give you a sense of where you stand relative to other test-takers. According to the College Board's most recent data, a score of 500 is around the 40th percentile, meaning you did better than 40% of test-takers. To be on the higher end, a score of 650 is around the 85th percentile (better than 85% of test takers), and a perfect 800 is essentially the 99th percentile.
That being said, there's a lot of variation based on where you're applying to. The more competitive the school, the higher they usually expect test scores to be. For highly selective colleges, anything below 700 might be seen as slightly weak, whereas a score of 750 or better would be considered strong. For less selective schools, a score above 600 would generally be considered good. You can often find school-specific data on the middle 50% range of SAT scores for students on their admissions webpage.
As to how colleges view your SAT Math score, it forms part of your overall SAT score, which is used by colleges as a measure of academic readiness. However, it's important to keep in mind that it's one of several factors that colleges look at when reviewing applications. Amongst them, maintaining a high GPA in academically rigorous classes, your extracurricular involvement, and strong essays also play vital roles in enhancing your candidacy. Remember, colleges take a comprehensive view of student applications, and not just one single score.
Also, regarding the SAT, if you're applying for STEM programs, the Math section becomes particularly relevant. For non-STEM programs, a balanced score between Math and EBRW (Evidence-based Reading and Writing) sections is generally preferred. Nevertheless, a strong score in the Math section can enhance your application regardless of your chosen major.
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