Students who are seeking college admissions must have come across SAT exam which is a standardised test to get admission to US colleges and universities. It plays a crucial role in the application process for colleges as the score is a determining factor when universities select students. Aspirants often ask what a good SAT score is and how it is calculated.
Here it is essential to debunk the myth surrounding a good SAT score. The interpretation of a "good" score largely depends on the target score set by students and the universities or colleges they wish to apply.
Each university lays down parameters to admit students among which SAT score plays an important role. Factors such as GPA, extracurricular activities and essays also play an essential part. It is important therefore to know how the SAT score is calculated. The SAT exam is divided into two main parts: the Math section and the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section, each scored on a scale ranging from 200 to 800 points. The total SAT score is therefore between 400 and 1600. With a good SAT score, students can get admitted to colleges in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and more.
Students taking the SAT exam must check how the SAT scores are calculated and what is a good score to get admission to colleges and universities.
What is a Good SAT Score?
Different universities/colleges set their own SAT Score requirements for admissions in a specific area. While a good SAT score is needed to get admission to the desired college abroad, SAT score is not the only determining factor for admission.
Various other factors like academic background, Letter of Recommendation, overall profile, extra curricular activities, goals and intent to study, motivation letter, etc. are some of the other factors that are taken into consideration. However, a minimum 1200 composite score on SAT is considered a good score for undergraduate admissions in the leading universities worldwide.
Also, students who score well on SAT are eligible to receive scholarships. The scholarships are either funded by the government or by institutions to provide quality education to talented and motivated students. In India, a student who scored more than 1350 on SAT will be considered for one of the SAT India Top Performers Scholarships.
Aspirants must consider the following points when they refer to a good SAT Score:
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Confirm the SAT Requirement of the Specific College: Before taking the SAT, candidates must check the minimum SAT score requirement at the desired college and try to score at least the minimum SAT score for admissions.
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Understand the Need for a Good SAT Score: Good SAT score is not only needed for acceptance of admission to colleges but can also help a student get a scholarship and meet the financial requirements.
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Score Maximum Marks in SAT: Instead of focusing on scoring the minimum marks required for admissions at a particular college, candidates should try to score the maximum marks on SAT. It not only increases the chances of a candidate getting enrolled in a top college but also makes him/her eligible to apply for scholarships.
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What is SAT?
The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a standardized international-level entrance exam that is conducted by the College Board for admissions purposes at different colleges and universities in countries like the United States, Australia, the UK, New Zealand etc. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers the SATs on behalf of the College Board.
An SAT score is accepted by universities to understand the intellectual abilities of students and their readiness to enter college after high school. Besides, SAT scores are also used to grant scholarships to students. Find out more about the SAT Test Structure and how the SAT is scored for different sections.
Structure of SAT 2023
Check the exam pattern of SAT to have an idea of how each section is divided and how it is scored:
Particulars | Details of SAT Exam |
---|---|
SAT Exam Duration |
3 hours |
Total Number of Sections |
3 {Essay Scrapped} |
Total Number of Questions |
154 |
Mode of SAT Exam |
Paper-based |
Medium of Instruction |
English |
Negative Marking |
No |
Score Range |
400-1600 |
Understanding SAT Score
SAT is scored in the range of 400-1600. Further, the SAT Score is categorised into four different parts for a better evaluation of the students' performance on the test. A SAT score report is detailed and released in the following format:
SAT Score |
Score Range |
---|---|
Total Score (1) |
400 - 1600 |
Section Scores (2) |
200- 800 |
Test Scores (3) |
10- 40 |
Cross-test Scores (2) |
10- 40 |
Subscores (7) |
1- 15 |
Essay |
Scrapped |
How is the SAT Score Calculated?
Figure out how an SAT Score is calculated and how the performance of the candidate in the test is evaluated:
Total SAT Score (400-1600)
It is the total of marks obtained in the two sections of the SAT.
Section SAT Scores (200-800)
It is the individual scores in each of the two sections of the SAT i.e Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math. For both sections, a separate score is defined in a score range of 200- 800.
SAT Test Scores (10-40)
It is useful for the participating organisation to analyse the level of understanding of the candidate in three areas i.e reading, writing and language and Maths. Three separate scores are defined under this category in a score range of 10-40.
SAT Cross-Test Scores (10-40)
Two scores are defined in this part. One is based on Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science and the other is based on the selection of questions in Reading, Writing and Language and Maths.
SAT Subscores (115)
A total of 7 scores are defined under subscores based on the following points:
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Reading and Writing and Language: Command of evidence and words in context
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Writing and Language: Expression of ideas and standard English conventions
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Mathematics Topics: The heart of algebra, problem-solving, data analysis and advanced Math.
Note: The essay section was scored in a range of 2- 8. But, SAT essay (option) has been scrapped along with the subject test.
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Average SAT Score
The average SAT score is defined based on the total group of people taking the test, gender, ethnicity, fee waiver used, university/institution type and state/city in which the university is located. The average SAT scores as per the College Board's Report for the different categories are as follows:
Average Score Type |
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing |
Math |
Total |
---|---|---|---|
Total Group of People |
528 |
523 |
1051 |
Female Gender |
532 |
516 |
1048 |
Male Gender |
523 |
531 |
1055 |
Asian (out of 223,451 test-takers) |
585 |
632 |
1217 |
Fee Waiver Use (out of 376,468 test-takers) |
503 |
491 |
996 |
Public Institutions |
540 |
520 |
1060 |
Independent |
560 |
590 |
1150 |
What is SAT Percentile Ranking?
To figure out what is a good SAT score, one must understand the various aspects of SAT scoring. The total SAT score (1600) and section-wise SAT score (800) correspond to an SAT percentile. Let us now understand what an SAT percentile is with the help of an example.
Suppose, the SAT percentile of a student is 80. It means that the student has a score better than 80% of the total SAT test-takers. Check the SAT score chart with the corresponding SAT percentile for 2019:
SAT Percentile |
Math Score |
EBRW Score |
Total SAT Score |
---|---|---|---|
99+ |
— |
780-800 |
1560-1600 |
99 |
800 |
760-770 |
1520-1550 |
95 |
740-750 |
710 |
1430-1440 |
90 |
690 |
670-680 |
1350 |
85 |
660 |
650 |
1290 |
80 |
620-630 |
630 |
1240-1250 |
75 (good) |
600 |
610 |
1200-1210 |
50 (median) |
520 |
530 |
1040-1050 |
What is a Good SAT Score for SAT Essay?
Before, the SAT included an optional essay. Nevertheless, the College Board declared in 2021 that the SAT essay will no longer be available. If your state mandates the SAT, you may need to take the essay on a SAT School Day.
Although colleges are no longer permitted to require the SAT essay, some students taking the SAT on a school day may be interested in obtaining a high essay score for their enjoyment. The SAT essay is graded independently of Math and EBRW. You will have 50 minutes to prepare an essay analysing the author's assertions and reasoning in a specific paragraph.
Two graders will read your essay and offer you a 1-4 score in three categories: reading, analysis, and writing. Each category has a total score range of 2-8. An ideal SAT essay score would be three 8s — which is a 4 for both graders in all three areas.
Although the College Board does not publish SAT essay percentiles, it does provide average scores for each area based on 2020 data:
SAT Essay Category |
Average SAT Score |
---|---|
Reading |
5 |
Analysis |
3 |
Writing |
5 |
How to Check SAT Scores?
When you have completed the SAT exam, it is time to transmit your results to institutions. This is one of the most important aspects of the entire application process. Most institutions prefer to get score reports directly from the College Board rather than copies or score report labels on transcripts. The SAT score report is available to candidates through their College Board profile. Applicants can verify their SAT scores by completing the procedures below:
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Step 1: Go to the College Board website.
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Step 2: Enter your ID and password to log in.
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Step 3: Go to My Organiser and then to SAT scores.
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Step 4: Go to the Access My Scores page and input your login and password.
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Step 5: Go to My Test Results.
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Step 6: Your SAT results will be shown on the screen.
What is a Good SAT Score Based on Your Schools?
Aim for an SAT score that is comparable to that of the average enrolled candidate to improve your chances of admission. In other words, if the typical first-year student receives a 1300 score, they should strive for 1300 as well.
Find the middle 50% of scores for each school you are applying to determine what you should strive for. The middle 50% is comprised of the 25th and 75th percentiles. Your objective should be to achieve a score in the 75th percentile for your school. If it is too challenging, strive for a score higher than the 25th percentile (though know that your application may be less impressive).
Several institutions have SAT statistics available on their websites. You can check for a first-year class biography page or a general facts and numbers page by searching for the school's name and the term "SAT score range" online.
Consider applying to Emory University. Emory's class profile page displays the middle 50% of the class of 2025's SAT Math and EBRW scores. Based on this information, you should aim for a score of roughly 770 on EBRW and 780 on Math — both of which are quite high.
The exact SAT score you should strive for will depend on the universities to which you apply. Less selective colleges accept candidates with SAT scores closer to the national median, but more selective universities frequently prefer scores between 1400 and 1600.
Average SAT Score for Top US Universities
There are hundreds of universities/institutions/colleges worldwide accepting SAT scorecards for the admission of students. The SAT requirement is mostly defined by a specific department of an institution in the eligibility criteria for admissions to a particular course.
In 2021, some universities in the United States decided to drop the SAT requirement for admission as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic. But most colleges abroad are accepting SAT scores as it is considered an important test to determine the readiness of students to enter a college and also to ensure an unbiased admission process.
Here is the list of colleges accepting SAT scorecards along with the SAT average score acceptable for undergraduate admission:
US Universities |
Average SAT Score |
---|---|
1300 |
|
1293 |
|
1310 |
|
1420 |
|
1420 |
|
1370 |
|
1285 |
|
1340 |
|
1350 |
|
1275 |
|
1440 |
Colleges Accepting SAT Score
Here is the list of other colleges in some of the most popular study abroad destinations, that are accepting SAT scores:
UK |
Canada |
Australia |
---|---|---|
University of Sydney | ||
University of Queensland | ||
Deakin University | ||
Queensland University of Technology | ||
Curtin University |
To conclude, a good SAT score is a subjective measure that varies on factors such as the aspirations of the student, the competitiveness of the college and the pool of applicants competing for the offer letters. A commonly accepted good SAT score is between 1200 and 1400 out of 1600. CollegeBoard adopts several equating processes to determine the conversion and ensure equity. Students must remember that while SAT score is only one part of the college application and there are several factors such as GPA, essays and extracurriculars that also play equally important roles.
In case you have further queries about study abroad or the admission process, write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com and seek help from our expert study abroad counsellors!
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