Decoding SAT scores: What's a good score?

I just got my SAT scores back, and I'm a bit confused about what is considered a good score. What score range should I be aiming for to get into competitive colleges? Are there any resources to help me better understand the scoring system?

Understanding your SAT scores can be a bit daunting at first, but let's decode the numbers together. A perfect SAT score is 1600, but a "good" score depends on your target schools. Generally speaking, a score of 1200 or above is considered average, while 1400 and above makes you a competitive applicant to selective colleges and universities.

For top-tier schools (like the Ivy League and other highly selective institutions), most admitted students typically have scores in the 1450-1550 range. However, it's essential not to view the SAT as the sole determining factor for admissions. Many colleges, especially the most selective ones, evaluate a student's application holistically, by factoring in GPA, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and essays.

To understand where your scores fall in context with the schools you're interested in, you can research the middle 50% SAT score range (also known as the 25th-75th percentile) of admitted students for each institution. This data is usually found on the college's website or through online search tools like CollegeVine or College Board's BigFuture. Comparing your scores to these ranges will give you an idea of where you stand relative to the admitted student profile and help you set a target score for improvement if needed.

For resources to better understand the SAT scoring system, the College Board (the organization that administers the SAT) has comprehensive information on their website. You can also look at prep resources, such as Khan Academy, which often provide thorough explanations of the scoring process and strategies to improve.

Remember, while a strong SAT score is undoubtedly an asset, it doesn't guarantee admission at highly selective schools. Simultaneously, a lower score doesn't necessarily disqualify you from being admitted if you have robust academic and extracurricular records. Ultimately, it's important to view your SAT score as one piece of your application puzzle, which ideally will be a strong one, but you don't want to spend all your time studying for the SAT at the expense of all the other pieces. Rather, strive to put together the strongest overall application that you can.

Best of luck with your standardized testing journey, and college applications in general!