Decoding the SAT: What constitutes a good score?

Hey there, everyone. I've been prepping for the SAT but I'm unsure about the scoring standards. What would y'all consider a good score on the SAT?

Hello! Determining what is considered a 'good' SAT score largely depends on your goals and the schools you're interested in. Remember, each university has different standards and expectations, so it's crucial to understand yours.

Generally, the highest possible SAT score is 1600, and a score considered 'average', or an okay score, across the nation is typically around 1060. That being said, if your goal is to attend a highly selective college or university, a 'good' score would generally be above 1400. For the most competitive schools, you might aim for a score of 1500 or higher.

For example, if you're aiming for a school like Harvard, the middle 50% of admitted students typically have SAT scores between 1500 and 1580. That means that 25% of admitted students scored below 1500 and 25% scored above 1580.

On the other hand, maybe a school like the University of Texas at Austin could be your dream school. Their middle 50% range tends to be a bit lower, between 1230 and 1480.

Remember, though, that while test scores are important, they aren't the only thing colleges consider. Your grades, course rigor, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation, among other things, are also key parts of your application. And keep in mind that many schools have gone test-optional recently, so depending on the specific schools you're interested in, your SAT score might not be required at all.

I encourage you to research the average SAT scores of admitted students at the specific colleges you're interested in to get a sense of what score you should be aiming for. Good luck with your test preparation!