What's a passing SAT score?

Hi! I'm a bit confused about SAT scoring. What score is considered 'passing' on the SAT? And do colleges have minimum SAT score requirements that I should know about? Thanks for the help!

Hi there! The SAT doesn't have an official "passing" score as such, as it's ultimately up to the individual colleges to decide what range of SAT scores is competitive or acceptable for their applicant pool. However, for reference, the SAT uses a scale of 400 to 1600, with 1060 being the median or 50th percentile score, meaning half of the test-takers score above this and half below. A score around 1060 can be considered "average," but as I mentioned, there's no designated "passing" score.

When it comes to college admissions, each college has its own preferred range of SAT scores. Highly selective schools usually have higher average SAT scores, while less selective schools have lower averages. It's essential to research the schools you're interested in to better understand their middle 50% SAT score ranges (the range within which 50% of accepted students' scores fall, with 25% scoring above and below it).

Some colleges do have minimum score cutoffs for admission, which means you must meet or exceed a particular score to be considered for admission. However, minimum SAT score requirements aren't as common in college admissions as they used to be, with many colleges adopting test-optional admissions policies in recent years. When evaluating your SAT score, you can look at the score percentiles, which provide an idea of how well you did compared to other students.

To maximize your chances of admission, it's essential to aim for a score within or above the mid-50% range of the schools you're interested in. Keep in mind that SAT scores are just one part of the college application, and admissions officers consider your GPA, extracurricular activities, essay, letters of recommendation, and other factors as well. So even if your SAT score isn't as high as you'd like, a strong overall application can still present you as a competitive applicant. Good luck with your college applications!