What's a High SAT Score Range Nowadays?

Hey guys, I've been studying for the SAT and I'm a bit confused about what's considered a high score these days. What should I be aiming for if I want to have a competitive application?

Hey there! The SAT is scored on a range of 400 to 1600, with the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math sections each being scored between 200 and 800. Generally speaking, a high SAT score would be in the 1400-1600 range. However, what's considered a competitive score might vary depending on the colleges you're interested in.

For highly selective colleges and Ivy League schools, most admitted students have SAT scores between the 25th and 75th percentiles, which typically fall around the 1470-1570 range. Many students at these schools even score above 1570. Keep in mind that to be competitive at these schools, you'll want to aim for a score at least in the upper end of their admitted students' score range.

For less competitive colleges, such as state schools and smaller private institutions, you might see average admitted students' scores in the 1100-1450 range. In this case, you'll still want to be in the upper end of that range to be competitive, but the target score might not need to be as high as it would be for more selective institutions.

One thing to consider when setting your SAT score goal is to find out the 75th percentile score for the schools you're interested in – this represents the score that the top 25% of admitted students achieved. Aiming for that score or higher should give you a solid chance of being competitive during the admissions process.

Another important factor is that many colleges have moved to test-optional policies, so a high SAT score won't be the only thing that determines your chances of admission. Strong grades, impressive extracurricular activities, and well-written essays are also important components of a competitive application. Good luck with your SAT prep, and happy studying!