Confused about SAT digital score percentiles?

I've been studying for the SAT and coming across these 'digital SAT percentiles'. What are they and how do they affect my college applications? It's pretty baffling to me right now.

Score percentiles have always been a part of standardized testing, and they continue to be with the SAT's transition to a digital format. In essence, your score percentile tells you what percentage of test takers earned a score lower than yours.

For example, if your digital SAT score is in the 70th percentile, that means you performed better than 70% of the students who took the SAT. In other words, out of 100 students, you did better than 70 and 30 students did better than you.

These percentiles help you get a sense of how competitive your SAT score is. Colleges will be able to see your percentile ranks along with your scores, and this can give them a good idea of how you compare to other applicants. That being said, while a high percentile can be advantageous, don't forget that many colleges look at a lot more than just test scores when making admissions decisions. They're often interested in seeing a well-rounded application which includes extracurricular activities, essays, recommendation letters, course rigor, and grades in addition to your test scores.

Understandably, all this can be overwhelming but keep in mind the most important part is to do your best and present a full picture of who you are and what you can bring to the college. Good luck with your studying!