SAT Conundrum: What is a Good Score?

Hey peeps! I'm super stressed about my SATs and what scores I should be looking for. What's considered a 'good' score or an around impressive score?

Howdy! It's totally normal to have concerns about the SAT and what 'good' looks like in terms of scores. In general, a score in the top quartile (75th percentile) or higher is often considered 'good.' According to the College Board, who administers the SAT, the 75th percentile score with the redesigned SAT (as of 2024) is about 1200. This refers to a total score (both Reading/Writing and Math sections combined).

However, to give you a perspective, 'good' can vary a great deal depending on the specific colleges you're interested in. Top-notch colleges such as the Ivy League, Stanford, or MIT generally look for scores in the 1400-1600 range. For many state colleges or less selective private universities, scores above 1200 are often considered highly competitive.

It's always useful to look at your target schools' average SAT scores or their middle 50% range (25th to 75th percentile). These stats can often be found on colleges' own websites, from CollegeVine profile pages of these universities, or in general through College Board's big future search tool. It'll give you a clearer idea of what scores are typical for admitted students and hence, the score you should aim for.

Just remember, while SAT scores are important, they're only one part of your application. Don't forget to focus on other aspects as well, like extracurriculars, essays, GPA, etc. You've got this!