SAT Scoring: What is considered a good score?

Hello! I'm relatively new to the whole SAT system. I hear a lot of talk about 'good scores' and 'bad scores', but what exactly is considered a 'good' score on the SAT? Also, does 'good' score vary by colleges? Any guidance would be really appreciated.

Sure, I'd be glad to help clarify! The SAT has a maximum score of 1600, with the Reading and Writing section and the Math section each out of 800 points. Generally, a score above 1200 is considered good, while an exceptional score would be 1400 and above.

However, what’s considered a good score can indeed vary depending on the colleges you're interested in. Most colleges publish the middle 50% SAT scores of their admitted students. You'll want your score to fall in or above this range to be a competitive applicant, generally. For instance, the top Ivy League colleges might have a middle 50% range from around 1450 to 1550, while mid-tier institutions might have a range from 1200 to 1400.

So, your aim should be to score around the middle 50% range or higher for the schools that you're interested in. Keeping track of this information can help you target your test prep efforts and set a score goal tailored to your specific circumstances. Be sure to check the admissions webpages of your target schools to view this information.

It's also worth noting that with the changes in test policies, some colleges are test-optional, allowing students to apply without submitting test scores. However, providing a strong SAT score can still strengthen your application if you choose to submit one.