Hey all, I'm confused about the concept of 'SAT Averages'. Does it mean the average score of all the test-takers or the score that could get me into an average college? Any clarification would be great.
Hi there! The term "SAT Averages" often comes in two main contexts.
Firstly, it could mean the average SAT score of all test-takers in a given year. This number is computed by adding up all the scores and dividing by the number of test-takers. For example, the College Board reported that the average SAT score for the class of 2020 was a combined 1051 out of 1600.
The second context is in relation to college admissions. When colleges report their 'average SAT score', it refers to the average score of the students that were admitted in the most recent admissions cycle. This is a useful metric for prospective applicants to gauge the academic caliber of the student body and to assess whether their scores fall within a competitive range for the school.
Don't confuse it as a strict cutoff or the score needed to get into an "average college". It's just a rough barometer for the middle-of-the-pack student at a particular institution. However, remember that the SAT score is just one part of your holistic application review, and a score below the average doesn't necessarily mean you won't be admitted.
Lastly, you might come across the term "middle 50% SAT scores". This range captures the 25th to 75th percentile of admitted students' SAT scores. In other words, 50% of admitted students scored within this range. It’s another helpful metric for understanding the competitiveness of a given school’s admissions process.
Hope this clears up your confusion!
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