What Is a Good SAT Score? (And How to Raise Yours)
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What is a good SAT score? Preparing for standardized testing can be exhausting and stressful, and you may feel totally in the dark if you’re not sure what score you should be aiming for. Whether you’re just beginning the SAT prep process or you’re trying to interpret your recent scores, in this article we’ll cover how to identify your target SAT score as well as how to raise your score if you decide to retake. Plus, download your free spreadsheet to calculate what score you should be aiming for to earn admission to each school on your list!
And don’t forget to stick around to find out how you can get an SAT score of 1400 or higher, guaranteed!
What Is the SAT and Why Should I Take It?
The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is an examination that high school students take to show college admissions officers that they are academically prepared for higher learning. The specific questions on the SAT vary from year to year, but the types of questions are always multiple choice or essay style, depending on the section. Taking a standardized test such as the SAT allows admissions staff to objectively compare student performance to determine which applicants would thrive best in the school’s academic environment.
The SAT is one of the tests that may be required for admission to a university. If it is optional, you may want to consider taking it anyways. Colleges often publish average SAT scores on their website to show prestige, so it looks good on an application to include SAT scores on the list of standardized tests.
What are test-optional schools? During the COVID-19 pandemic, some universities decided to allow their applications to be test-optional, meaning applicants did not have to submit standardized test scores. However, most of the top colleges are not continuing this option past the pandemic. In addition, it’s always smart to submit test scores even if a school does not require them, because it gives you an edge above the competition.
Also, many students (myself included) perform better on the SAT than the ACT. If you’re not satisfied with your ACT score or think it does not accurately reflect your academic potential, you may perform better on the SAT and will feel more confident sending those scores to the top colleges on your list.
How Is the SAT Scored?
Unlike ACT scores, the SAT score range is between 400-1600. The total score is made up of two section scores, including the math score and the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score (EBRW). Both sections are scored on a scale from 200-800. The essay portion of the test is optional. Something important to note about SAT scoring policies is that there is no penalty for wrong answers. Your raw score is calculated based on how many questions you answer correctly, which is why it’s best practice to complete all questions, even if you don’t know the answer. After this raw score is calculated, the results are scaled to match the 200-800 point scale for each section. A perfect score is 1600, and the lowest possible score is 400. There is no way to get a low score of 0.
What Is a “Good” Score?
Practically speaking, a “good score” depends on the requirements of the colleges you’re applying to. A good way to find out what SAT score you should be aiming for is to research the average SAT score and percentile breakdown for each school you’re applying to. Your percentile ranking compared to all students accepted by a university can tell you a lot about the chances of acceptance.
What is a percentile ranking? Your percentile ranking shows what percent of students received a score at or below your score. For example, if you scored in the 50th percentile, that means you scored equal to or better than 50% of other test takers. The average composite score for the SAT is a 1060, while the average math score is 528 and the average EBRW score is 533. The test is intentionally designed so that most scores are close to 1000. For more information on how to interpret your SAT scores, check out this helpful resource from the College Board.
The plot below displays the percentile rankings for each SAT composite score for all SAT test-takers.
It’s easy to see that the highest scores are the most difficult to achieve, with an increase of 100 points in the composite score only translating to an increase of four percentiles when examining the difference between scores 1450 and 1550.
To determine your target SAT score, you need to conduct some basic research on Google. Make a spreadsheet with all of the schools on your list in one column, followed by the 25th and 75th percentile SAT scores in the following columns. Then identify the highest SAT score in the 75th percentile column. This is your target score!
If you would like access to a premade spreadsheet, click the image link below and make a copy in Google Drive.
The reason you should aim for this score is because you will have the best chances of being accepted into all of the schools on your list if you achieve this score. The middle 50% of students admitted by the university score between the 25th and 75th percentiles, so you want to try to score in the upper part of this range to be a competitive applicant. Even if you achieve slightly below this chosen highest score, you will still have great chances of being accepted to your other schools, since their 75th percentile score is lower than your target.
For a step-by-step guide on how to build a college list, read “How to Make a College List (In 7 Steps)”.
Here is a helpful image from PrepMaven to get you started on your research. The top 10 schools in the United States are listed with the admission rate and 25th/75th percentiles for the EBRW and math sections, as well as the composite score.
How Do I Get a Higher SAT Score?
If your SAT score isn’t what you hoped, or you would like to be as prepared as possible before you take this important test, there are a few things you can do.
Retake the SAT
If you’ve scored below your expectations, consider retaking the SAT. You may feel more comfortable and less nervous the second time around, having already had some standardized testing experience. However, the only way your score will significantly improve is with lots of time and effort put into preparation. It takes many hours of studying SAT prep resources to raise your score, especially if you’re already scoring in the top 15% of students. I can speak from experience. I didn’t score as high as I had hoped on the ACT, so I decided to retake it. My mistake was in listening to my high school counselor, who said my score would definitely increase on the second try because I now had experience taking the test. That strategy did not work for me. I received the same exact score, and was pretty frustrated.
Experiences like mine are the reason why it’s good to invest in some trusted test prep materials, and even tutoring. The Princeton Review offers the most trusted standardized test prep services available to students. Their course guarantees a minimum 1400 SAT score, and they also have a tutoring option with a minimum 1500 score guarantee. That’s a guaranteed 99th percentile score!
Be Like Frozen and Let It Go
If you’ve only scored slightly below your target, don’t sweat it. There’s a lot more to an application than your SAT scores. College admissions staff want to see a well-rounded individual when they open an application. Your GPA, extracurricular activities, leadership experience, volunteer work, and personal statement are all important components of your application.
At the same time, if you’re trying to achieve admission into Ivy League Schools, it’s a good idea to keep working for that high score to be the most competitive applicant possible. Selective schools place high value on test scores due to very low admission rates, so an “out-of-this-world” test score is pretty essential for admission. In that case, investing in test prep materials and tutoring is absolutely necessary in order to reach your goal of getting into your top schools. The Princeton Review offers multiple packages at different price points to prepare for both the SAT and ACT, and their strategy focuses on maximum results in minimum time.
Modify Your College List
On the other hand, if your score is far below your target, it may be best to reconsider your college list and add more safety schools. Safety schools are not inferior; focus on choosing a few more quality schools where you have better chances of admission. In reality, if you’re scoring much lower than the score needed to achieve admission into competitive schools, it probably means that you may not be able to thrive there academically. Pick schools that offer an academic culture that you can thrive in, not one where you’ll be miserable and constantly trying to catch up. Prestige is not worth having no life for the next four years!
Related: “12 High-Paying Careers That Only Require a Bachelor’s Degree (2022)”
What Are My Next Steps?
If you’re just beginning to think about standardized testing, start by doing your percentile research using the spreadsheet and calculate your target score. Be sure to discuss your target score with your parents for support and accountability.
If you’re ready to start prepping or you’re looking to raise your score, check out these SAT prep options offered by The Princeton Review, talk with your parents about budget, and find out which option is right for you. Don’t forget to mention the score guarantee!
Stay focused and optimistic. Compiling your list of reach, safety, and target schools, trying to raise your test scores, and crafting an amazing application can be stressful for both you and your family. Staying organized and finding helpful resources can make this trying time of your life as stress-free as possible. Don’t fret! When it comes time to start crafting your application essays, visit my article “How to Write an Impactful College Application Essay.”
Finally, if you would like to learn how I graduated with a master’s degree and no college debt, sign up for the free workshop below! You’ll get instant access to my video series explaining strategies to implement during high school and college to put yourself in the best financial position possible.
