Okay... so I just received my SAT score and it's just a number without context to me. Unsure how I did since I'm new at this, could someone explain what constitutes a good score? Thanks!
A good SAT score could mean different things depending on your education goals, but let's generally talk about how SAT scores range and what percentile you might fall into.
The SAT score is split into two sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math, each with a score range of 200-800. Add these two together, and your total score will be anywhere between 400 and 1600. The higher the score, the better.
For context, here's some rough benchmarks:
- A score of 1060 is the national average (meaning half the students score above this number, and half score below)
- A score of 1200 places you in the 74th percentile, meaning you did better than 74% of test takers
- A score of 1300 puts you in the 88th percentile
- If you managed to get above 1400, congratulations! You're in the top 96% of test-takers.
That said, a "good" score also depends on the colleges you're aiming for. Each college has different expectations and student profiles. For instance, if you're eyeing highly selective institutions (like Ivy League), a score of 1500 and above is usually considered competitive. However, for many state schools and less competitive universities, a score in the 1100-1200 range may still make you a strong candidate.
But in the end, while your SAT score is significant, it's just one component of your application. Colleges will also consider your coursework, GPA, extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation. Hope this clears things up!
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