Just started preparing for the SAT and I'm curious about what y'all think is a high score? What benchmark should I aim for to be competitive in the college admissions process?
A high score on the SAT generally falls within the top percentile ranges. The SAT is scored on a scale of 400-1600, with the Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and Math sections each scored between 200 and 800. A score of 1400 or above is considered to be quite competitive, with anything above 1500 being seen as exceptionally strong. Of course, the threshold for a "high" score can vary depending on the colleges you're aiming for.
For highly selective schools (e.g., Ivy League institutions and similar), you should aim for a score in the 1450-1600 range to be a strong applicant, ideally at least the 25th percentile of the admitted class's SAT scores. You can find this information on the college's admissions statistics page or sites like CollegeVine. For example, to be competitive at a school like Princeton or Stanford, you might want to aim for a 1500 or higher, whereas for moderately selective schools, a 1350-1400 might be sufficient.
Keep in mind that test scores are just one element of a holistic admissions process, and other factors, such as your GPA, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and essays, play a significant role in college admissions decisions. If your score falls slightly below the desired range, strong achievements in other areas can compensate for it.
Focus on setting a goal based on the schools you're interested in, and remember that, in addition to SAT scores, it's essential to work on other aspects of your application to be competitive in the college admissions process.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.