Understanding the SAT Scoring

I'm kinda lost, so the SAT is out of how many points exactly? And what is considered a respectable score while applying to colleges?

The current format of the SAT, which is digital since the spring of 2024, is scored on a scale of 400 – 1600. This total score combines the scores of two areas: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math. Each area is scored on a scale from 200 – 800, making the maximum total score 1600.

A top score of 1600 is rare, and a score of 1200 is often considered respectable and competitive for a wide range of colleges. However, the "right" score for you really depends on your individual college goals. Highly selective universities typically have middle 50% SAT score ranges above 1400, with more elite institutions often having 25th percentile scores right around 1500.

For instance, as of the 2024-2025 application cycle, for schools that still review SAT scores like Dartmouth, Harvard, Purdue, Brown, Yale, UT Austin, and Caltech, competitive applicants typically present scores well within the combined 1450-1600 range.

But don't lose sight of the importance of other parts of your application, like your transcript, extracurricular involvement, essays, and letters of recommendation. These components can provide a broader picture of you as a student and person. Do remember, some schools have also become test-blind, meaning they do not consider test scores at all like UC schools and Cal State schools.

So while a high SAT score can certainly strengthen your application, there are many ways you can stand out to admissions committees.