sat essay score what is good

What Is the SAT Essay?

College Board

February 28, 2024

The SAT Essay section is a lot like a typical writing assignment in which you’re asked to read and analyze a passage and then produce an essay in response to a single prompt about that passage. It gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your reading, analysis, and writing skills—which are critical to readiness for success in college and career—and the scores you’ll get back will give you insight into your strengths in these areas as well as indications of any areas that you may still need to work on.

The Essay section is only available in certain states where it’s required as part of SAT School Day administrations. If you’re going to be taking the SAT during school , ask your counselor if it will include the Essay section. If it’s included, the Essay section will come after the Reading and Writing and Math sections and will add an additional 50 minutes .

What You’ll Do

Read a passage between 650 and 750 words in length.
Explain how the author builds an argument to persuade an audience.
Support your explanation with evidence from the passage.

You won’t be asked to agree or disagree with a position on a topic or to write about your personal experience.

The Essay section shows how well you understand the passage and are able to use it as the basis for a well-written, thought-out discussion. Your score will be based on three categories.

Reading: A successful essay shows that you understood the passage, including the interplay of central ideas and important details. It also shows an effective use of textual evidence.

Analysis: A successful essay shows your understanding of how the author builds an argument by:

Examining the author’s use of evidence, reasoning, and other stylistic and persuasive techniques
Supporting and developing claims with well-chosen evidence from the passage

Writing: A successful essay is focused, organized, and precise, with an appropriate style and tone that varies sentence structure and follows the conventions of standard written English.

Learn more about how the SAT Essay is scored.

Want to practice? Log in to the Bluebook™ testing application , go to the Practice and Prepare section, and choose full-length practice test . There are 3 practice Essay tests. Once you submit your response, go to MyPractice.Collegeboard.org , where you’ll see your essay, a scoring guide and rubric so that you can score yourself, and student samples for various scores to compare your self-score with a student at the same level.

After the Test

You’ll get your Essay score the same way you’ll get your scores for the Reading and Writing and Math sections. If you choose to send your SAT scores to colleges, your Essay score will be reported along with your other section scores from that test day. Even though Score Choice™ allows you to choose which day’s scores you send to colleges, you can never send only some scores from a certain test day. For instance, you can’t choose to send Math scores but not SAT Essay scores.

Until 2021, the SAT Essay was also an optional section when taking the SAT on a weekend. That section was discontinued in 2021.

If you don’t have the opportunity to take the SAT Essay section as part of the SAT, don’t worry. There are other ways to show your writing skills as part of the work you’re already doing on your path to college. The SAT can help you stand out on college applications , as it continues to measure the writing and analytical skills that are essential to college and career readiness. And, if you want to demonstrate your writing skills even more, you can also consider taking an AP English course .

How to get ready for the digital sat on a school day.

Advanced Placement

What is AP English?

Taking the sat during school, how long does the sat take.

SAT Essay Scores Explained

On january 19th, 2021, college board announced that they will no longer administer the sat subject tests in the u.s. and that the essay would be retired. read our blog post to understand what this means in the near term and what the college board has in store for students down the road., our articles on subject tests and the sat essay will remain on our site for reference purposes as colleges and students transition to a revised testing landscape..

Why are there no percentiles for the essay on an SAT score report?

No percentiles or norms are provided in student reports. Even colleges do not receive any summary statistics. Given Compass’ concerns about the inaccuracy of essay scoring and the notable failures of the ACT on that front, the de-emphasis of norms would seem to be a good thing. The problem is that 10% of colleges are sticking with the SAT Essay as an admission requirement . While those colleges will not receive score distribution reports from the College Board, it is not difficult for them to construct their own statistics—officially or unofficially—based on thousands of applicants. Colleges can determine a “good score,” but students cannot. This asymmetry of information is harmful to students, as they are left to speculate how well they have performed and how their scores will be interpreted. Through our analysis, Compass hopes to provide students and parents more context for evaluating SAT Essay scores.

How has scoring changed? Is it still part of a student’s Total Score?

On the old SAT, the essay was a required component of the Writing section and made up approximately one-third of a student’s 200–800 score. The essay score itself was simply the sum (2–12) of two readers’ 1–6 scores. Readers were expected to grade holistically and not to focus on individual components of the writing. The SAT essay came under a great deal of criticism for being too loosely structured. Factual accuracy was not required; it was not that difficult to make pre-fabricated material fit the prompt; many colleges found the 2–12 essay scores of little use; and the conflation of the essay and “Writing” was, in some cases, blocking the use of the SAT Writing score—which included grammar and usage—entirely.

With the 2016 overhaul of the SAT came an attempt to make the essay more academically defensible while also making it optional (as the ACT essay had long been). The essay score is not a part of the 400–1600 score. Instead, a student opting to take the SAT Essay receives 2–8 scores in three dimensions: reading, analysis, and writing. No equating or fancy lookup table is involved. The scores are simply the sum of two readers’ 1–4 ratings in each dimension. There is no official totaling or averaging of scores, although colleges may choose to do so.

Readers avoid extremes

What is almost universally true about grading of standardized test essays is that readers gravitate to the middle of the scale. The default instinct is to nudge a score above or below a perceived cutoff or midpoint rather than to evenly distribute scores. When the only options are 1, 2, 3, or 4, the consequence is predictable—readers give out a lot of 2s and 3s and very few 1s and 4s. In fact, our analysis shows that 80% of all reader scores are 2s or 3s. This, in turn, means that most of the dimension scores (the sum of the two readers) range from 4 to 6. Analysis scores are outliers. A third of readers give essays a 1 in Analysis. Below is the distribution of reader scores across all dimensions.

What is a good SAT Essay score?

By combining multiple data sources—including extensive College Board scoring information—Compass has estimated the mean and mode (most common) essay scores for students at various score levels. We also found that the reading and writing dimensions were similar, while analysis scores lagged by a point across all sub-groups. These figures should not be viewed as cutoffs for “good” scores. The loose correlation of essay score to Total Score and the high standard deviation of essay scores means that students at all levels see wide variation of scores. The average essay-taking student scores a 1,080 on the SAT and receives just under a 5/4/5.

College Board recently released essay results for the class of 2017, so score distributions are now available. From these, percentiles can also be calculated. We provide these figures with mixed feelings. On the one hand, percentile scores on such an imperfect measure can be highly misleading. On the other hand, we feel that students should understand the full workings of essay scores.

The role of luck

What is frustrating to many students on the SAT and ACT is that they can score 98th percentile in most areas and then get a “middling” score on the essay. This result is actually quite predictable. Whereas math and verbal scores are the result of dozens of objective questions, the essay is a single question graded subjectively. To replace statistical concepts with a colloquial one—far more “luck” is involved than on the multiple-choice sections. What text is used in the essay stimulus? How well will the student respond to the style and subject matter? Which of the hundreds of readers were assigned to grade the student’s essay? What other essays has the reader recently scored?

Even good writers run into the unpredictability involved and the fact that essay readers give so few high scores. A 5 means that the Readers A and B gave the essay a 2 and a 3, respectively. Which reader was “right?” If the essay had encountered two readers like Reader A, it would have received a 4. If the essay had been given two readers like Reader B, it would have received a 6. That swing makes a large difference if we judge scores exclusively by percentiles, but essay scores are simply too blurry to make such cut-and-dry distinctions. More than 80% of students receive one of three scores—4, 5, or 6 on the reading and writing dimensions and 3, 4, or 5 on analysis.

What do colleges expect?

It’s unlikely that many colleges will release a breakdown of essay scores for admitted students—especially since so few are requiring it. What we know from experience with the ACT , though, is that even at the most competitive schools in the country, the 25th–75th percentile scores of admitted students were 8–10 on the ACT’s old 2–12 score range. We expect that things will play out similarly for the SAT and that most students admitted to highly selective colleges will have domain scores in the 5–7 range (possibly closer to 4–6 for analysis). It’s even less likely for students to average a high score across all three areas than it is to obtain a single high mark. We estimate that only a fraction of a percent of students will average an 8—for example [8/8/8, 7/8/8, 8/7/8, or 8,8,7].

Update as of October 2017. The University of California system has published the 25th–75th percentile ranges for enrolled students. It has chosen to work with total scores. The highest ranges—including those at UCLA and Berkeley—are 17–20. Those scores are inline with our estimates above.

How will colleges use the domain scores?

Colleges have been given no guidance by College Board on how to use essay scores for admission. Will they sum the scores? Will they average them? Will they value certain areas over others? Chances are that if you are worrying too much about those questions, then you are likely losing sight of the bigger picture. We know of no cases where admission committees will make formulaic use of essay scores. The scores are a very small, very error-prone part of a student’s testing portfolio.

How low is too low?

Are 3s and 4s, then, low enough that an otherwise high-scoring student should retest? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. In general, it is a mistake to retest solely to improve an essay score unless a student is confident that the SAT Total Score can be maintained or improved. A student with a 1340 PSAT and 1280 SAT may feel that it is worthwhile to bring up low essay scores because she has previously shown that she can do better on the Evidence-based Reading and Writing and Math, as well. A student with a 1400 PSAT and 1540 SAT should think long and hard before committing to a retest. Admission results from the class of 2017 may give us some added insight into the use of SAT Essay scores.

Will colleges continue to require the SAT Essay?

For the class of 2017, Compass has prepared a list of the SAT Essay and ACT Writing policies for 360 of the top colleges . Several of the largest and most prestigious public university systems—California, Michigan, and Texas, for example, still require the essay, and a number of highly competitive private colleges do the same—for example, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford.

The number of excellent colleges not requiring the SAT Essay, though, is long and getting longer. Compass expects even more colleges to drop the essay requirement for the classes of 2018 and 2019. Policies are typically finalized in late spring or during the summer.

Should I skip the essay entirely?

A common question regarding SAT scores is whether the whole mess can be avoided by skipping the essay. After all, if only about 10% of colleges are requiring the section, is it really that important? Despite serious misgivings about the test and the ways scores are interpreted, Compass still recommends that most students take the essay unless they are certain that they will not be applying to any of the colleges requiring or recommending it. Nationally, about 70% of students choose to take the essay on at least one SAT administration. When looking at higher scoring segments, that quickly rises to 85–90%. Almost all Compass students take the SAT Essay at least once to insure that they do not miss out on educational opportunities.

Should I prepare for the SAT Essay?

Most Compass students decide to do some preparation for the essay, because taking any part of a test “cold” can be an unpleasant experience, and students want to avoid feeling like a retake is necessary. In addition to practicing exercises and tests, most students can perform well enough on the SAT Essay after 1–2 hours of tutoring. Students taking a Compass practice SAT will also receive a scored essay. Students interested in essay writing tips for the SAT can refer to Compass blog posts on the difference between the ACT and SAT tasks and the use of first person on the essays .

Will I be able to see my essay?

Yes. ACT makes it difficult to obtain a copy of your Writing essay, but College Board includes it as part of your online report.

Will colleges have access to my essay? Even if they don’t require it?

Yes, colleges are provided with student essays. We know of very few circumstances where SAT Essay reading is regularly conducted. Colleges that do not require the SAT Essay fall into the “consider” and “do not consider” camps. Schools do not always list this policy on their website or in their application materials, so it is hard to have a comprehensive list. We recommend contacting colleges for more information. In general, the essay will have little to no impact at colleges that do not require or recommend it.

Is the SAT Essay a reason to take the ACT instead?

Almost all colleges that require the SAT Essay require Writing for ACT-takers. The essays are very different on the two tests, but neither can be said to be universally “easier” or “harder.” Compass recommends that the primary sections of the tests determine your planning. Compass’ content experts have also written a piece on how to attack the ACT essay .

Key links in this post:

ACT and SAT essay requirements ACT Writing scores explained Comparing ACT and SAT essay tasks The use of first person in ACT and SAT essays Understanding the “audience and purpose” of the ACT essay Compass proctored practice testing for the ACT, SAT, and Subject Tests

About Art Sawyer

Art graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, where he was the top-ranked liberal arts student in his class. Art pioneered the one-on-one approach to test prep in California in 1989 and co-founded Compass Education Group in 2004 in order to bring the best ideas and tutors into students' homes and computers. Although he has attained perfect scores on all flavors of the SAT and ACT, he is routinely beaten in backgammon.

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Hi! I’m a high school junior who took the October and November SATs. I got a 1500 on October and then retook it to get a 1590 in November. I’m very happy with my score, but my essays are troubling me. I got a 6-4-6 in October and thought I would improve in November, but I got a 6-3-6. I really cannot improve my actual SAT score, but I don’t understand the essay. I’ve always been a good writer and have consistently been praised for it in English class and outside of class. Is this essay score indicative of my writing skill? And will this essay hurt my chances at Ivy League and other top tier schools? None of the schools I plan on applying to require it, but, since I have to submit it, will it hurt my chances? Thank you so much.

Maya, The essay is becoming increasingly irrelevant. Honestly, a 6-4-6 is a fine score and will not hurt your chances for admission. It’s something of an odd writing task, so I wouldn’t worry that it doesn’t match your writing skills elsewhere.

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What Is a Good SAT Essay Score?

To Get a Good SAT Essay Score, Get the Purpose of the Essay

When the new SAT was released a few years ago, the essay became an optional element of the test. Many colleges don’t require it for admissions, as it’s unclear if the essay measures something meaningful to a student’s application.

Nevertheless, if a school requires the SAT essay, you need to know how it’s scored and what the scorers are looking for.

The SAT essay has departed from asking students to take a stance on a topic or weigh in on a perspective. In other words, the SAT essay is not at all about what you, the student, think: the purpose of the essay is to see if you can write without inserting personal opinion.

Now, the essay is a formal analysis of someone else’s argument. This is brilliant, if you ask me, because the College Board has finally created an assessment that more closely mimics the kind of writing students actually need to do in college. Notably, the new essay style is also a lot more like one of the writing tasks on the GRE; in other words, this is real academic writing.

Table of Contents

Academic Writing Is Objective

The SAT essay had to become more objective as students’ writing became more fanciful and, due to cultural trends, more opinion-based.

The A-number-one most important thing you can do to earn a good SAT essay score is to leave your opinions out of the essay.

A Good SAT Score Isn’t an Absolute Number

The SAT Essay is scored on a scale just like the SAT multiple choice tests are. Rather than scoring from 200 to 800, though, the three SAT essay subscores are rated on a scale of 2 to 8. They mimic the 200 to 800 scale in that an 8 is a top score and a 2 is a low score.

Because the SAT essay score is guided by a rubric used by two people, your score is the sum of the scores given to you by those two graders. Your graders individually give you a 1, 2, 3, or 4 on each of the three scoring dimensions identified by the College Board.

That means that a good SAT essay score is a 6, 7, or 8 on each of the scoring dimensions if we use the logic that a 6 is the sum of two scores of 3 from your graders, and those 3s reflect that both graders thought you adequately accomplished that objectives of that dimension.

Because your SAT essay score is a list of three numbers, (like a possible SAT essay score might be 7, 5, 7), a good SAT essay score is a little less definitive.

One way to consider whether your SAT essay score is good is to take the average of your subscores and then translate them to the 200 to 800 scale. For example, if your SAT essay score were 7, 5, 7, you could average them (add and divide by 3) to find 6.3, which loosely translates to a 630. It’s easier to sense then, then, that 7, 5, 7 is a pretty good SAT essay score, but probably not as high as you would need for an extremely competitive college that requires the SAT essay section to begin with.

In order to help you maximize your SAT essay score, let’s look at the SAT essay scoring dimensions one by one.

The College Board offers a detailed rubric so that you can dive deeply into SAT Essay scoring. I expand on some of those ideas in my post, How to Write the SAT Essay. Let’s look at some of the highlights here.

Dimension One: Earning a Good SAT Essay Reading Subscore

It might seem odd to see “Reading” as the first dimension on a writing test, but it makes sense: you show how well you read by accurately identifying and articulating precisely what the author of the passage is saying.

Can you identify the author’s argument? Can you cite specific supporting details that she/he uses to make that case?

You’re more likely to get a good score here if in your introduction you say that [the author] argues that [what the author wants her audience to believe]. The more specific you are, the better.
Take quotes from the passage that support your evidence. These should be short quotes, not two hundred words to stretch out your essay length.
Again, leave your opinion out of it. Don’t reinterpret what the author is saying, don’t add in more (like “the author might also think X, Y, and Z” when those things aren’t listed in the argument.

Dimension Two: Earning a Good SAT Essay Analysis Subscore

A good SAT Essay score in the Analysis department shows off that you’re able to trace how an author builds an argument. You’re probably familiar with building an argument, even if you don’t realize it yet:

Imagine you want to convince one of your parents to let you stay out three hours after curfew because you’re going to a concert two hours away. You wouldn’t just ask if you could stay out late; obviously, the answer would be an outright “No.”

Instead, you’d formulate a plan: you’d think of all the logical reasons it’s safe to stay out late, you’d appeal to your parent’s sense of adventure, or maybe his/her sense of pity. Maybe you’d bargain.

Every author on the SAT sample passage that you’ll analyze is creating an argument in similar ways, albeit more formal ones. The Analysis subscore shows that you see how the author is being convincing, not just what the author wants.

Dimension Three: Earning a Good SAT Essay Writing Subscore

Of course, the whole essay element is a “writing” test, but you’ll earn a good SAT essay score on the writing segment when you show off your structural and syntactic prowess.

This is the score that reflects the strength of your writing sample itself, even if you totally misunderstood the author’s argument. Incidentally, preparing for the Writing and Grammar multiple choice section and learning the rules it tests can be a great exercise for the essay section. Use the rules you know for that section to edit your own essay after the fact.

Focus on structure when you write the SAT essay–or any essay, for that matter. Think carefully about why each paragraph exists and always loop its last sentence back to your thesis.
Vary your sentence structure to keep things interesting. Whether you realize it or not, a subordinate clause at the start of a sentence can draw your reader further into your writing.
Show off proper punctuation and how to employ colons, semi-colons, and dashes correctly.
If you don’t know how to spell a word, try to avoid using it. This is extra difficult now that we have spell check on every device we use. Poor spelling is distracting to people who read high school English essays and standardized tests essay professionally.

Practice Makes Perfect

Do not take the SAT Essay section without writing several sample essays ahead of time. A time crunch puts pressure on even the best writers; practicing by hand and getting feedback from a trusted teacher or tutor is your best bet. Investing in some SAT prep books wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

What are your chances of acceptance?

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What Is a Good SAT Score in 2023?

What’s covered:, what is the average sat score, how to set your target sat score, what is the average sat score at top schools, how does the sat impact my college chances.

What is a good SAT score? There is no one-size-fits-all answer. A “good score” depends on a variety of factors, including personal context, overall average test scores, and the schools on your college list.

SAT scores are incredibly important at top schools. Many use students’ transcripts and test scores to filter out unqualified applicants, so it’s important to know how you compare to accepted students to understand your chances.

Keep reading to learn some strategies to determine what a good SAT score is for you, how to set an SAT goal for yourself, and what the average SAT score is at some of the top colleges in the country.

Alone‌, ‌an‌ ‌SAT‌ ‌score‌ ‌is‌ ‌just‌ ‌a‌ ‌number—‌it’s‌ ‌how‌ ‌your‌ ‌SAT‌ ‌score‌ ‌compares‌ ‌against‌ ‌others‌ ‌that‌ give‌ ‌it‌ ‌context.‌ ‌Let’s‌ ‌face‌ ‌it: ‌if‌ ‌you‌ ‌scored‌ ‌the‌ ‌highest‌ ‌on‌ ‌an‌ ‌exam‌ ‌but‌ ‌only‌ ‌answered‌ ‌half‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ questions‌ ‌correctly,‌ ‌your‌ ‌50%‌ ‌means‌ ‌something‌ ‌different‌ ‌than‌ ‌your‌ ‌75%‌ ‌on‌ ‌an‌ ‌exam‌ ‌where‌ the‌ ‌highest‌ ‌score‌ ‌was‌ ‌98%.‌ ‌ ‌

The‌ ‌table‌ ‌below‌ ‌shows‌ ‌SAT‌ ‌scores‌ ‌along‌ ‌with‌ ‌the‌ ‌average‌ ‌percentile‌ ‌of‌ ‌2022 test-takers ‌who scored‌ ‌below‌ ‌that‌ ‌number.‌ ‌The‌ ‌higher‌ ‌your‌ ‌SAT‌ ‌User‌ Percentile,‌ ‌the‌ ‌better‌ ‌your‌ ‌score‌ ‌is‌ perceived to be‌ ‌by‌ ‌colleges‌ ‌and‌ ‌scholarship‌ ‌committees.‌ ‌


780	10%
850	21%
920	30%
980	40%
1040	50%
1100	60%
1170	71%
1240	80%
1350	90%
1550	99%
1560-1600	99+%

When we talk about SAT scores, we are actually talking about three different data points. Students who take the SAT receive one score from 200-800 for the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Test (EBWR), and another score ranging from 200-800 for the Math test, leading to a composite score ranging from 400-1600, which is the sum of the section scores.

According to the 2022 SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report , the average ERW score was 529, the average Math score was 521, and the average overall composite score was 1050.

SAT College Readiness Benchmarks

The SAT College Readiness Benchmarks offer college-bound students an indication of how prepared they are for higher education, and are predictive of students’ performance in college-level courses. SAT scorecards use a color-coded scale to represent readiness.

Green: Section score meets or exceeds the benchmark
Yellow: Section score is within one year of academic growth for the benchmark
Red: Section score is below the benchmark by more than one year of academic growth

The current SAT College Readiness Section Scores are:


	480-800	530-800
	460-470	510-520
	200-450	200-500

A great SAT score for one student is potentially a disappointment for another. A few factors to consider when determining what a good SAT score is for you are:

There is a certain amount of subjectivity to consider when looking at SAT scores. A great SAT score for one student may not be a great score for another student. If you’re trying to set a target for your SAT score, there are a few different factors you should consider.

1. What Is Your Starting Point?

Take a practice SAT to find out your starting point. Take the test under actual testing conditions, using the same resources and time constraints you’d have during an official test. This will give a realistic picture of where you’re starting from in your studying journey. Alternatively, you could use your PSAT score. Check what percentile you achieved on your PSAT and compare it to the same percentile SAT score to get a rough idea of what you might score on the SAT.

Once you start studying, your score will hopefully improve. In general, the lower your initial score is, the more improvement you’ll see. If your score on a particular section is below 500, you may feasibly improve up to 200 points. For higher scores, you can aim to improve between 100 and 150 points.

You should also realize that you’ll likely take the actual SAT test more than once, and your score will likely continue to improve each time you take it. Most students take the SAT two or three times, and the greatest score increases on actual tests occur between the first and second test administration.

No matter where you’re starting from, establishing a baseline can help you set realistic goals for your SAT score based on the time you have before college applications and scholarship deadlines.

2. What Colleges Do You Want to Attend?

The other factor you’ll need to consider when setting a target score is what the SAT score range is at the colleges you want to attend. Generally, the more selective a college is, the higher the average SAT score of admitted students will be. Therefore, if you want to attend a selective college, you should expect to achieve a top SAT score to be a competitive applicant.

Most colleges release their middle 50% ranges, meaning that the middle 50% of accepted students scored in that range, with 25% scoring below and above. For example, if a school’s middle 50% SAT range is 1320-1450, 25% of students scored below 1320, 50% scored 1320-1450, and 25% of students scored above 1450. It’s important to have a score that is up to par with these ranges.

Test-Optional Schools

A handful of schools had established test-optional admissions policies before COVID-19 and numerous schools have adopted the practice, at least in the short term, in the of the pandemic.

Should I Submit My SAT Score?

CollegeVine suggests taking a standardized test if you can do so safely and submitting scores that are at (or above) the 25th percentile for the school you’re applying to. Applicants who submit test scores are accepted at higher rates than those that do not and strong standardized test scores can only bolster your candidacy. For example, if you’re applying to Bowdoin, which has a middle 50% range of 1330-1510, you should submit a score of 1330 or higher.

It should be noted that the pandemic has changed norms around standardized tests, which makes comparing scores year to year a challenge. For example, about 700,000 fewer students in the high school Class of 2021 took the SAT at least once compared to the Class of 2020. The number of students taking the SAT rebounded in 2022 , up roughly 15% from the previous year, but down 21% from its record number of test takers in 2019.

The growth in the number of SAT test takers coincides with a drop in SAT scores. The average 2022 test score of 1050 is down ten points from 2021’s 1060 average SAT score.

Determining what a good SAT score is for you has a lot to do with where you’re applying. If you’re interested in attending a top college, you should aim for a score that lands you comfortably in the top 50% of admitted students.

All hope isn’t lost if your score falls outside of the SAT score range of your prospective schools, however, you’ll need to demonstrate achievement and excellence in other areas of your application.

Middle 50% SAT Scores at Top 20 National Universities


	1470-1560
	1510-1570
	1480-1580
	1470-1560
	1480-1560
	1510-1560
	1510-1560
	1480-1570
	N/A
	1490-1560
	1490-1550
	N/A
	1470-1550
	1480-1570
	1490-1570
	1490-1570
	1450-1540
	1490-1560
	1410-1550
	N/A

Middle 50% SAT Scores at Top 20 Liberal Arts Schools


	1470-1550
	1440-1540
	1480-1540
	1440-1540
	1410-1530
	1330-1510
	1440-1530
	1250-1510
	1450-1540
	1210-1430
	1400-1520
	1410-1530
	1390-1500
	1420-1520
	1360-1490
	1390-1510
	1440-1520
	1445-1530
	1360-1490
	1220-1420
	1440-1520
	1320-1462
	1310-1490

What To Do If Your Score is Too Low

If your SAT score doesn’t fall within the mid-to-high range of the middle 50% SAT scores at your desired college, you should try to get that score up before you apply. This is because many selective colleges use the Academic Index to filter out applicants. If your grades and scores aren’t good enough, you may be automatically rejected.

Of course, it is possible to get in with lower scores, especially if you have stronger grades, or if you’re an underrepresented minority, legacy, or recruited athlete. But you should always strive for a score that’s as competitive, if not more, than those of accepted students.

Here are our tips for improving your score:

1. Make a Study Plan

Use your target score to help create a study plan. Work backward from the date you intend to take your test and break down your prep work into manageable chunks. Set time aside each day to prep for the test, especially for your weaker sections and concepts.

Take at least a few timed practice tests, but don’t only take practice tests. It’s important to hone in on your weaknesses so that they’re no longer an issue. You can drill certain types of questions, or take practice section tests.

2. Learn the Two-Passes Strategy

The two-pass strategy helps ensure you have time to answer all the questions that you find easy. The strategy is simple: first, answer every question that you know or that seems obvious, and skip the more challenging questions. After answering the “easy” questions, return to the ones you passed over.

Make sure that you practice using this strategy in advance so that you can get your timing on each section just right. You should also pay special attention to your scantron, as you don’t want to accidentally mess up the numbering.

3. Use the Resources Available

SAT prep materials and courses are abundantly available, many of which are free. The most notable of these is offered by Khan Academy—the official study partner of the College Board. It’s been shown that studying 20 hours on Khan Academy leads to a 115-point average improvement.

Your Guide to Online SAT Prep Classes
Your Guide to Free SAT Prep Classes

CollegeVine also has an abundance of useful information on its blog. Check out these awesome articles about SAT prep:

Links to Every Free SAT Practice Test + Other Resource
15 Hardest SAT Math Question
Tips to Prepare Yourself for Your SAT Test Day
How to Pace Yourself on Every Section of the SAT
10 Tips to Improve Your SAT Score

3. Apply to Test-Optional Colleges

Another option for students who underperform on the SAT is to apply to a school with test-optional admissions. Test-optional schools have been around for a while—Bowdoin, one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country , has had a test-optional admissions policy since 1969. As a result of the disruption COVID-19 had on standardized testing, a number of colleges are now practicing test-optional admissions.

Test-optional admission is particularly beneficial for candidates with strong credentials—such as fantastic extracurricular activities and excellent grades—but lackluster test scores. They are also great for groups who generally are disadvantaged by standardized tests, like women, immigrants, students of color, people with disabilities, and first-generation students.

Despite the large number of colleges offering test-optional admissions, your SAT score remains a strong predictor of your future collegiate success. Colleges use standardized test scores along with GPA to determine your level of academic achievement, a major consideration in the college admissions process. Simply, strong test scores are a proven method to improve your chances of gaining admission to the schools on your college list.

CollegeVine can help you learn how your SAT score affects your chances at hundreds of colleges across the country. Our free Admissions Calculator uses factors like your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and more to give you a personalized estimate of your chances at the schools of your choice!

What Is a Good SAT Score? Finding Your Goal Score 2024

A good SAT score will depend on your goals. Learn how to identify the target SAT score you'll need as you set about applying to college.

[Featured image] A high school student studies for the SAT test using a book and a laptop computer.

The SAT is just one part of your college application and is increasingly considered optional. A good SAT score will depend on what you want to achieve, whether that's getting into your dream school or earning a merit scholarship. In other words, what constitutes a good SAT score will change based on your goals. Generally speaking, earning a score of 1350 in 2019 would put you among the top 10 percent of test takers, according to the College Board [ 1 ].

In this article, we'll go over average SAT scores in the United States and how to find your target score based on the colleges and universities you intend to apply to. But before we do, it’s helpful to understand how the SAT is scored:

Your total SAT score will be between 400 and 1,600 points

There are two primary sections, Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW), and each one is worth 200 to 800 points.

The percentile shows how your score compares to other students' scores.

The benchmark score indicates college readiness—or the likelihood that you'll pass first-year classes.

4 ways to measure a good SAT score

A good score is one that helps you get into your target school or supports your case for a merit scholarship. When you receive your SAT scores, you'll also receive information about how your score compares to other students' scores around the country.

There are a few ways to think about your score in light of this information.

1. Target school average SAT scores

A good SAT score is a score that helps you get into the college or university you want—and that score can be different for each school.

It's a good rule of thumb to achieve an SAT score that's higher than the middle 50 percent of scores. For example, half of the students admitted to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor had an SAT score of between 1360 and 1580 [ 2 ]. This is much higher than the national average total SAT score, so if you wanted to apply and be competitive, it might help if your score fell within that range—or higher.

You won't learn about your target school's average SAT scores on your SAT report. Instead, once you get your report, you can cross-reference your score with those published by the school. Below, we discuss how to find your target school SAT score.

2. Average SAT score

According to the College Board, the US national average total SAT score for the class of 2021 was 1088. The ERW national average score was 541, while the average score for the Math section was 538 [ 3 ].

Average scores can be useful in comparing the test performance of one entire graduating class to another's, but it's not necessarily the most helpful measure for an individual test-taker. For that, you'd want to consider your SAT score percentile.

3. SAT score percentiles

Your score report will include two percentiles to help you compare your performance with that of other test takers. If your score percentile is 50, that means 50 percent of test takers scored at or below your score. If your score percentile is 75, that means 75 percent of test takers scored at or below your score.

Nationally Representative Sample Percentile: This measures your score against all US students in grades 11 and 12, weighted to include those who did not take the test.

SAT User Percentile: This measures your score against real scores of students from the past three graduating classes who took the current SAT test during high school.

You can see these percentiles for your total score, as well as your ERW and Math section scores. This lets you quickly see how you did in comparison to your peers.

For reference, here's a chart showing the SAT User Percentiles for the total, ERW, and Math scores in 2021 [ 4 ].

Total SAT score	ERW score	Math score
1430-1600	710-800	740-800
1350-1420	680-700	690-730
1290-1340	650-670	660-680
1250-1280	630-640	630-650
1210-1240	610-620	600-620
1170-1200	590-600	590
1110-1160	560-580	550-580
1050-1100	530-550	520-540
990-1040	500-520	490-510
930-980	470-490	460-480
920 and below	460 and below	450 and below

4. Benchmark scores

Each of your section scores will include a benchmark. This will show up as a color—green, yellow, or red—meant to indicate college readiness. The colors break down as follows:

Green: On track

Yellow: Close to being on track

Red: Need to strengthen skills

A green benchmark score indicates a 75 percent chance of earning a C or higher in a first-semester college course in algebra, statistics, pre-calculus, or calculus (for Math), or history, literature, social sciences, or writing (for ERW).

Use these benchmarks as a guideline for what academic areas to work on. With the right perspective and preparation, you can find success in college no matter your benchmark score.

How to find your target school SAT score in 3 steps

Arguably, the more important SAT measurement is your target school SAT score. Here’s how to find that information:

1. Make a list of schools you’d like to attend.

Write down the names of 6-10 schools you’re interested in applying to. Try to include a mix of dream, target, and safety schools.

If money and qualifications weren’t issues, where would you want to attend? These are your dream schools , also known as reach schools.

Target schools are those where your grades, test scores, and class rank are similar to the average for the most recently admitted class.

You should be happy to attend your safety schools , but they should also be schools that you can afford and that you feel confident you’ll be admitted to.

If you don’t know how to categorize your schools just yet, that’s okay. You can do this in the next step.

2. Find each school’s middle 50 percent.

Search for the name of the school and “SAT score range” to find the middle 50 percent of SAT scores. This represents the range of scores between the 25th and 75th percentiles for the most recent class of admitted students. In other words, this is what’s left when you throw out the top and bottom scores.

Write down these scores for each of your schools. It may be helpful to record the ranges for the Math and ERW sections as well.

3. Identify your goal SAT score from the list.

Now arrange your schools in order of these score ranges, from highest to lowest. The schools at the top of the list would likely be your dream schools, with the target and safety schools in the middle and at the bottom of the list.

The high end of the range (the 75th percentile score) for the school highest on your list is your target SAT score. If you can get a score at or near the 75th percentile for the most competitive school on your list, chances are you’ll be competitive at the other schools too.

Tip: Set a goal to score at or above the 75th percentile of SAT scores for the school you want to attend.

How can I improve my SAT score?

Whether you’re thinking ahead toward the SAT or want to improve upon an existing score, use the tips below to get started. We've also compiled a longer list of 13 tips to prepare and take the SAT .

Take a practice test like the PSAT.

Prepare for success on the SAT by taking the Preliminary SAT, or PSAT, as a sophomore or junior. You’ll get a feel for the test format and types of questions, and your scores can show you areas to focus on as you prepare for the SAT.

Tip: Taking the PSAT as a high school student qualifies you for the National Merit Scholarship. Each year, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation awards 7,500 scholarships to students that are among the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

Work on your weaknesses.

Focus on the areas where you received the lowest scores on your practice test. If you scored at or near your target score for the ERW section but fell short on your Math score, you’ll want to dedicate more of your practice time to math questions.

Plan to spend at least two to three months preparing for the SAT each time you take it. You have options when it comes to how you prepare, and many of them are free:

Take a free, full-length practice test .

Complete the free, interactive Official SAT Practice .

Enroll in a SAT prep course.

Hire a tutor.

Buy a study guide or check one out from the local library.

Retake the test.

You can take the SAT as many times as you want. This means that if your first score has room for improvement, you have the opportunity to improve it by retaking the test. The College Board recommends taking the SAT at least twice, once during the spring of your junior year and again in the fall of your senior year. For some schools, you can choose which scores to include on your score report. Others require that you submit all of your scores.

What if my SAT scores are still too low?

Your SAT score is only one part of your college application—and it may not even be mandatory. Over 1,800 schools in the US promised to make college entrance exams optional in 2023 [ 5 ].

If your scores are lower than your target score, you still have options. (And remember, the scorers on the lower end of the middle 50 for each school on your list also got in).

Strengthen your application.

Schools look at more than just your SAT score when determining college admissions. If you feel your scores are lower than you’d like them to be, spend some time working on the other areas of your application.

Talk to your teachers about how you can improve your grades.

Ask for strong letters of recommendation .

Spend time polishing your application essay .

Start a new club at your school, volunteer, or look for an internship to help your extracurriculars stand out.

Read more: College Essay Format: Writing & Editing Tips

Adjust your college list.

As you get ready to apply to schools, consider adjusting your list. Add one or two new target schools that you’d like to attend where your scores fall within the middle 50. You may even choose to add another safety school where your score is near or above the 75th percentile ranking.

Consider the ACT.

Many schools accept ACT or SAT scores, and it’s not uncommon for students to perform better on one than the other. Neither the ACT or SAT is easier than the other, but they may have differences that make one of the two easier for you .

For example, the ACT puts more emphasis on verbal skills, while the SAT may be better suited to emphasize math and logic skills. If possible, take both tests in your junior year so, then retake your preferred exam in the fall of your senior year.

Read more: What Is a Good ACT Score in 2021? Finding Your Goal Score

As you apply for colleges, consider whether an online bachelor's degree from a world-class institution on Coursera may be a good fit for your lifestyle and goals. Many degree programs do not require college entrance exam scores. Plus, you can pursue your degree from anywhere without having to relocate.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is a good sat score for test-optional schools ‎.

This depends on the school. It might be a good idea to submit your SAT score to a test-optional school if:

Your score falls near or above the 75th percentile for that school
Your SAT score is stronger than other parts of your application, such as your GPA
You’re interested in a merit scholarship and an SAT score is required for consideration ‎

What is a good SAT score for Ivy League schools? ‎

Here’s a look at the middle 50 score ranges for each Ivy League school:


Harvard University	1460 to 1580
Yale University	1470 to 1560
Princeton University	1440 to 1570
Columbia University	1450 to 1560
Brown University	1420 to 1550
Dartmouth College	1450 to 1550
University of Pennsylvania	1440 to 1560
Cornell University	1420 to 1540

* All data from PrepScholar (October 2021) ‎

When should I start preparing for the SAT? ‎

The College Board recommends that you begin test prep two to three months before your test date. By starting to study earlier, you could feel more confident (and perform better) on the exam. ‎

Can I take the SAT multiple times? ‎

You can take the SAT as many times as you want. It’s a good idea to take it at least twice, once in your junior year and again in the fall of your senior year. Taking the test more than once could give you the opportunity to improve your score. Many colleges consider your highest SAT score for admission. ‎

What is Score Choice? ‎

Score Choice lets you choose which scores you send to colleges. If you take the SAT more than once, you can choose which scores to add to your score report. Some schools and scholarship programs require that you send all your scores. Be sure to find out ahead of time from the admissions office. ‎

What is superscoring? ‎

Some schools consider SAT scores using a process called superscoring. If a school you’re applying to uses superscoring, it means that they’ll combine your highest Math section score with your highest ERW score, even if they were from different test dates. Contact an admissions counselor to find out if a school uses superscoring. ‎

Article sources

College Board. " What is a Good SAT Score? , https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/scores/understanding-scores/what-is-a-good-score." Accessed January 18, 2023.

US News. " University of Michigan--Ann Arbor Admissions , https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor-9092/applying." Accessed January 18, 2023.

College Board. " What is the Average SAT Score? , https://blog.collegeboard.org/what-is-the-average-sat-score." Accessed January 18, 2023.

College Board. " SAT: Understanding Scores 2021 , https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/understanding-sat-scores.pdf." Accessed January 18, 2023.

US News. " What's a Good SAT Score? , https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/applying/articles/whats-a-good-sat-score." Accessed January 18, 2023.

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Editorial Team

Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...

This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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Good SAT Scores: Ranges, Percentiles & More

What Is a Good SAT Score? (2024)

A good SAT score is generally considered to be 1210 or higher, which would put you in the top 25% of all test takers.
In 2023, the national average score earned on the SAT was 1028, and a “perfect” score on the SAT is the maximum score of 1600.
Every college and university has its own unique SAT score range which should be consulted when determining what a “good” score is for you.
Your SAT score does not determine if a college will accept you, but a high score can make you a more competitive applicant.

A good SAT score is subjective, ultimately depending on what schools you are applying to. However, earning a high SAT score will make you stand out to college admissions officers and can increase your chances of getting a college scholarship. Learn about current SAT scores for top universities and how the SAT scoring system works so you can understand what a good SAT score is and set your exam goals.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SAT Scores for Ivy League Schools

SAT Scores for Top Universities in the U.S.

SAT Scores for Top Liberal Arts Colleges in the U.S.

How does sat scoring work, sat score ranges & percentiles, how to compare scores on the digital sat & paper-and-pencil sat, does my sat score determine which college will accept me, how to improve your sat score, sat preview quiz, sat/act score conversion calculator.

The eight private universities that comprise the Ivy League are some of the most competitive universities in the U.S. Earning a good SAT score is an important factor in gaining acceptance into an Ivy League School. A competitive score for any of the Ivy League schools is a score of about 1560 (out of 1600). In the table below, we showcase the SAT score ranges for Ivy League Schools in 2023.


	1470-1550	6%
	1500-1560	4%
	1470-1550	7%
	1480-1560	6%
	1490-1580	3%
	1470-1560	4%
	1480-1570	7%
	1470-1560	5%

Sources: College Board BigFuture & U.S. News

SAT Scores for Top Universities in the U.S

In addition to the Ivy League SAT scores listed above, you may be wondering about SAT scores needed for other top universities in the U.S. Read on for information about SAT scores needed for these top universities.

SAT Score Needed for Stanford University

Students who gain acceptance into Stanford University have an SAT score between 1500 and 1570. Stanford is a university in Palo Alto, CA that is influenced by the innovative environment provided by neighboring Silicon Valley. Stanford has under 8,000 undergraduate students and a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio, giving it a small, liberal arts college feel.

SAT Score Needed for Duke University

Students who gain acceptance into Duke University have an SAT score between 1510 and 1560. Duke is the 5th largest research university in the United States based on research funding, and over half of Duke undergraduates complete faculty-mentored research projects. This Durham, NC school encourages students to take a variety of courses, and students can choose from a long list of majors and minors or even, in some circumstances, design their own degree program that fits their interests.

SAT Score Needed for John Hopkins University

Students who gain acceptance into Johns Hopkins University have an SAT score between 1490 and 1550. Johns Hopkins, located in downtown Baltimore, is a research-based university with an emphasis on academic freedom. That means that undergraduates aren’t required to take any set core classes; instead, Johns Hopkins encourages students to take interdisciplinary courses and explore a wide range of topics. Additionally, many internships and study abroad opportunities are available to undergraduates—over a third of students complete some sort of international experience and 85% complete at least one internship before they graduate.

SAT Score Needed for NYU

Students who gain acceptance into New York University (NYU) have an SAT score between 1470 and 1560. NYU is a private research university with campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai. The university comprises 20 schools and colleges and has a student body of over 50,000 students. The renowned Tisch School of the Arts offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in acting, dance, dramatic writing, film, television, and more. Former Tisch students include acclaimed directors Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee.

SAT Score Needed for MIT

Students who gain acceptance into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have an SAT score between 1520 and 1570. MIT, a science and technology-based university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was founded in 1861 for the purpose of advancing the Industrial Revolution. Today, the school is known for its strength in science and engineering. Over 60% of MIT students enroll in the School of Engineering, and nearly 30% complete a major in the School of Science. 85% of undergraduate students participate in faculty-led research.

SAT Score Needed for the University of Chicago

Students who gain acceptance into the University of Chicago have an SAT score between 1510 and 1560. Undergraduates at the University of Chicago begin their education with a core curriculum akin to what you’d find at a liberal arts university. The University of Chicago aims to teach students how—not what—to think, so students take a set of core classes designed to prepare them to explore complex ideas and debate with other students and faculty members.

The best liberal arts colleges are just as competitive as the best universities. Keep in mind that none of these colleges have an SAT minimum score cutoff, and your SAT score is far from the only factor considered in your application. Each of these schools views your application holistically, meaning that other factors such as GPA, extracurriculars, and who you are as a person will also come into play. Here are the SAT scores needed for some of the top liberal arts colleges in the U.S.:

SAT Score Needed for Williams College

Students who gain acceptance into Williams College have an SAT score between 1490 and 1550. Williams College was founded in 1793 in Williams, Massachusetts. It has three academic branches: arts and humanities, social sciences, and science and mathematics. Within these three branches, there are 36 majors students can choose from. Instead of a minor, students at Williams chose a “concentration,” which is a grouping of classes spanning multiple disciplines centered on a broad topic such as Maritime Studies or Public Health.

SAT Score Needed for Amherst College

Students who gain acceptance into Amherst College have an SAT score between 1450 and 1550. Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts doesn’t have any core requirements, which allows students to completely create their own curriculum. There are 40 total majors offered at Amherst in the arts, sciences, social studies, and humanities. Thanks to small class sizes—the average is 19 students per class—and a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students at Amherst have lots of opportunities for discussion with classmates and faculty members.

SAT Score Needed for Pomona College

Students who gain acceptance into Pomona College have an SAT score between 1480 and 1540. Pomona College is located about 30 miles from Los Angeles in Claremont, CA. It’s one of the Claremont Colleges, a consortium of five undergraduate colleges and 2 graduate schools within several blocks of each other that share a library and other resources. Students at Pomona are encouraged to participate in research, and small class sizes facilitate seminar-based learning. In an effort to encourage students to study abroad, Pomona charges the same tuition for semesters abroad as it does for semesters at the main campus.

SAT Score Needed for Swarthmore College

Students who gain acceptance into Swarthmore College have an SAT score between 1455 and 1540. Swarthmore is located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, and is a somewhat unique liberal arts school for a couple of reasons. First, Swarthmore wants students to explore their interests and see what Swarthmore has to offer. To encourage this, first-semester classes are essentially pass/fail—the classes you take go on your transcript, but your grades don’t. Second, you can study engineering at Swarthmore, whereas liberal arts colleges usually don’t have pre-professional programs.

SAT Score Needed for Wellesley College

Students who gain acceptance into Wellesley College have an SAT score between 1440 and 1540. Wellesley is a women’s college in the educational hub of Wellesley, MA. Located not far from Babson College, MIT, Brandeis University, and Olin College of Engineering, a Wellesley education includes opportunities to study at—and even get a joint degree with—any of the aforementioned schools.

SAT Score Needed for Bowdoin College

Students who gain acceptance into Bowdoin College have an SAT score between 1340 and 1520. Students at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, begin their studies with foundational courses in each of the following basic disciplines: mathematics, computational or statistical reasoning, inquiry in the natural sciences, exploring social differences, international perspective, and visual and performing arts. Students declare majors as sophomores. The admissions process at Bowdoin is unique in that most applicants aren’t required to submit GPAs or standardized test scores. They can submit scores if they wish, but Bowdoin hasn’t required applicants to submit scores since 1969.

Now that you’ve seen what a good SAT score is at top universities, we’ll break down how the SAT scoring system works. SAT scoring is based on a 1600-point scale, with two sections— Math and Reading and Writing —scored between 200 and 800. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so your raw score is the sum of the number of questions you answer correctly. SAT raw scores are converted to scaled scores, which are used to determine percentile ranks. The percentile indicates how well you did compared to other test takers. For example, if you score in the 72nd percentile, you did better than 72% of SAT test takers. This process ensures that your score is not affected by different forms of the test or other students’ ability levels. This scaled score is what you will see when you get your scores.

SAT scoring infographic with content areas

Expert SAT Tip

Planning and preparation go a long way. The SAT may seem intimidating and impossible to master, but you can achieve your best score with a study schedule that you can stick to. Short study sessions (up to an hour each) held consistently over time can help you reach your goals. Leaning on the expertise and guidance of a teacher or tutor can take you to the next level in your preparation. Research your schools, set a goal, and begin raising your score!

SAT Scoring Factors

The SAT is scored on a 200 to 800 scale in each section in 10-point increments. The two sections (Reading and Writing and Math) will have scores provided separately. This relatively small scale means that small improvements in your score can make a big difference in your percentile rank. For example, a 10-point increase in your score could boost your percentile rank by several points.

Below are SAT scoring ranges and percentiles from 2023.

Best SAT Scores

These SAT scores will put you in the top 10% of all SAT test takers

SAT EVIDENCE-BASED READING AND WRITING: 670-800

Sat math: 690-800, competitive sat scores.

These SAT scores will put you in a highly competitive place in admissions (top 25% of all SAT test takers)

SAT EVIDENCE-BASED READING AND WRITING: 610-660

Sat math: 600-680, above average sat scores.

These SAT scores put you ahead of the pack (50%+), but won’t be as advantageous when applying to highly competitive programs

SAT EVIDENCE-BASED READING AND WRITING: 540-600

Sat math: 530-590, below average sat scores.

These SAT scores may be enough to get into a wide variety of graduate programs, but will be below average compared to the testing population

SAT EVIDENCE-BASED READING AND WRITING: 530 or lower

Sat math: 520 or lower.

Beginning in the spring of 2024, the SAT will no longer be a pencil-and-paper exam. With the exception of certain student accommodations, all students will take the Digital SAT on a computer. Despite the changes to the SAT, the exam will continue to be scored on a 1600-point scale like its predecessor. Your overall Digital SAT score will range from 400–1600 and is calculated by adding your two section scores together.

[ READ NEXT: How to Prepare for the Digital SAT ]

Scoring on the Adaptive Digital SAT

The new SAT is adaptive. How well you do on your first module determines the questions you see in the second. This is often called a multi-staged test. Doing well on the first module, also known as the routing module, will send you to a higher-difficulty second module. This will give you a chance to earn the very top scores for a section (either Reading and Writing or Math).

Bear in mind that even if you are routed to an easier second module, you can still earn a competitive score on the SAT. Don’t spend time trying to figure out which difficulty level you were routed to; this will only waste your brainpower and time. Your focus should be to do your best on every question, regardless of the module. While their exact formula is proprietary, your total SAT score is based on how you do on both modules of Reading and Writing and both modules of Math. There is very likely an overlapping range of scores possible for students routed to the easier or harder second module.

Your SAT score does not determine which college will accept you, but a good SAT score can help differentiate your application, even if the SAT is optional at the school you are applying to. Whether or not you are admitted to a college program (and whether or not you receive scholarship money) can depend on several factors. In addition to focusing on achieving the best SAT score possible for you, you should also work on obtaining the best GPA possible, writing a spectacular personal statement, taking a challenging course load, and rounding out your application with extracurriculars.

Test-Optional College Admissions

Some colleges have decided to make SAT test scores optional as part of their application requirements. This may sound like a good idea, but if you are looking to have your application stand out, a good SAT score is still one of the best ways to do that. Just because a school has decided to allow applicants to exclude SAT test scores does not mean other applicants are not continuing to submit SAT scores when applying.

A good SAT score can allow you to shine in the college admissions journey, even within a test-optional landscape. Presenting a competitive SAT score to your prospective school signals to admissions officers that you are a student who consistently exceeds expectations. Beyond this, a strong SAT performance can help you secure valuable scholarship opportunities. In short, a strong SAT score can help open doors for you.

Improving your SAT score by even ten points can increase your chances of getting into your dream school. Kaplan offers a wide range of free prep resources to help you succeed on the SAT, including:

SAT Question of the Day: Raise your SAT score with free daily practice questions delivered straight to your inbox!
Free SAT Practice Test: See how you would score with an SAT practice test and get a detailed report of your strengths and weaknesses.
SAT Study Plans: Whether you are studying for three months or have just one month before test day, we have an SAT study plan to help you stay organized.
SAT On Demand Free Trial: Try Kaplan’s SAT Prep On Demand Course free for seven days and see how our experts can help you maximize your SAT score.

Learn from your mistakes! Often, we see mistakes as failures. When it comes to SAT prep, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Mistakes are simply information. A mistake doesn’t tell you that you’re not good enough or that you’ll never reach your goals. A mistake tells you what you can work on to reach your goals. When you make a mistake on an SAT question, ask yourself some questions: Why did I make this mistake? Was I rushing? Do I need to learn the concept? Did I misread the question or answer choices? Did I make a silly mistake? The answer to these questions will tell you what your next step is.

Find out how you would do on the SAT by practicing with our quick quiz!

Quickly convert your SAT score to an ACT score using our free calculator.

Written by Kaplan experts, reviewed by Heather Waite, Director of Content and Curriculum, Pre-College at Kaplan North America. Heather has taught thousands of students how to master the PSAT, ACT, and SAT for over a decade. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Indiana University.

Call 1-800-KAP-TEST or email [email protected]

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Are Average SAT Scores Good Enough?

Learn what selective colleges consider solid SAT scores for admission

Average SAT Scores

What is a competitive sat score, sample sat data for selective colleges and universities, private universities: sat score comparison (mid-50%), liberal arts colleges: sat score comparison (mid-50%), public universities: sat score comparison (mid-50%), more about sat scores, the sat writing section, more sat data for selective colleges, sat subject test data, what if your sat scores are low.

Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania
M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania
B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT

What is considered a good SAT score? The SAT exam consists of two required sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Mathematics. There is also an optional essay section. The scores from each required section can range from 200 to 800, so the best possible total score without the essay is 1600.

There are different ways to calculate what an "average" score is for the SAT. For the Evidence-Based Reading section, the College Board predicts that if all high school students took the exam, the average SAT score would be a little over 500. For college-bound students who take the SAT, the average SAT score goes up to around 540. This latter number is probably the more meaningful one since it is the average SAT score among students you're competing with for college admission.

For the Math section of the exam, the average SAT score for all high school students is similar to the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section—a little over 500. For college-bound students who are likely to take the SAT, the average Math score is a little over 530. Here again that latter number is probably the more meaningful one since you would want to compare your score to other college-bound students.

Note that the exam changed significantly in March 2016 , and average SAT scores are now slightly higher.

Averages, however, don't really tell you what kind of score you need for selective colleges and universities. After all, every student who gets into a school like Stanford or Amherst is going to be well above average. The table below can give you a sense of the typical score ranges for students who were admitted to different types of highly selective colleges and universities. Keep in mind the table shows the middle 50% of matriculated students. Twenty-five percent of students got below the lower number , and 25% scored higher than the upper number.

You're obviously in a stronger position if your scores are in the upper ranges in the tables below. Students in the lower 25% of the score range are going to need other strengths to make their applications stand out. Also keep in mind that being in the top 25% does not guarantee admission. Highly selective colleges and universities reject students with near perfect SAT scores when other parts of the application fail to impress admissions teams.

In general, a combined SAT score of roughly 1400 will make you competitive at nearly any college or university in the country. The definition of a "good" score, however, is entirely dependent upon which schools you're applying to. There are hundreds of test-optional colleges where SAT scores don't matter, and hundreds of other schools where average scores (roughly 1050 Reading + Math) will be perfectly adequate for receiving an acceptance letter.

The table below will give you a sense of the types of scores you'll need for a wide range of selective public and private colleges and universities.

	Reading 25%	Reading 75%	Math 25%	Math 75%
Carnegie Mellon University	700	750	750	800
Columbia University	710	760	740	800
Cornell University	680	750	710	790
Duke University	710	770	740	800
Emory University	660	730	690	790
Harvard University	720	780	740	800
Northeastern University	670	750	690	790
Stanford University	700	770	720	800
University of Pennsylvania	690	760	730	790
University of Southern California	660	740	690	790

	Reading 25%	Reading 75%	Math 25%	Math 75%
Amherst College	660	750	670	780
Carleton College	670	750	680	780
Grinnell College	670	745	700	785
Lafayette College	620	700	630	735
Oberlin College	650	740	630	750
Pomona College	700	760	700	780
Swarthmore College	680	760	700	790
Wellesley College	670	740	660	780
Whitman College	610	710	620	740
Williams College	710	760	700	790

	Reading 25%	Reading 75%	Math 25%	Math 75%
Clemson University	610	690	610	710
University of Florida	640	710	640	730
Georgia Tech	680	750	710	790
The Ohio State University	590	690	650	760
UC Berkeley	650	740	670	790
UCLA	650	740	640	780
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign	600	690	600	770
University of Michigan	660	730	670	780
UNC Chapel Hill	630	720	640	760
University of Virginia	660	730	670	770
University of Wisconsin	630	700	650	750

View the ACT version of this article

SAT scores aren't the most important part of a college application (your academic record is), but aside from colleges that are test-optional, they can play a big role in a school's admissions decision. Average SAT scores aren't going to cut it at the country's most selective colleges and universities, and some public universities have concrete cut-off numbers. If you score below the required minimum, you won't be admitted.

If you aren't happy with your performance on the SAT, keep in mind that all colleges are happy to accept either ACT or SAT scores regardless of where in the country you live. If your ACT score is better, you can almost always use that exam. This ACT version of this article can help guide you.

You'll find that most schools report critical reading and math scores, but not the writing scores. This is because the writing part of the SAT never fully caught on when it was introduced in 2005, and many schools still do not use it in their admissions decisions. And when the redesigned SAT rolled out in 2016, the writing section became an optional part of the exam. There are some colleges that require the writing section, but the number of schools with that requirement has been rapidly declining in recent years.

The table above is just a sampling of admissions data. If you look at the SAT data for all of the Ivy League schools , you'll see that all require scores that are well above average. The SAT data for other top private universities , top liberal arts colleges , and top public universities is similar. In general, you're going to want math and reading scores that are at least in the high 600s to be competitive.

You'll notice the bar for top public universities tends to be a little lower than for private universities. It's generally easier to get into UNC Chapel Hill or UCLA than it is to get into Stanford or Harvard . That said, realize that the public university data can be a little misleading. The admissions bar for in-state and out-of-state applicants can be quite different. Many states require the majority of admitted students come from in-state, and in some cases this means admissions standards are significantly higher for out-of-state applicants. A combined score of 1200 might suffice for in-state students, but out-of-state applicants might need a 1400.

Many of the country's top colleges require applicants to take at least a couple SAT Subject Tests. Average SAT scores on the subject tests are significantly higher than on the general exam, for the subject tests are taken primarily by strong students who are applying to top colleges. For most schools that require subject tests, you're going to be most competitive if those scores are in the 700 range. You can learn more by reading about score information for different subjects: Biology | Chemistry | Literature | Math | Physics .

The SAT can create a lot of anxiety for students whose scores aren't in line with their college aspirations. Realize, however, there are plenty of ways to compensate for low SAT scores . There are many excellent colleges for students with not-so-great scores as well as hundreds of test-optional colleges . You can also work to improve your scores with approaches that range from buying an SAT prep book to enrolling in a Kaplan SAT prep course .

Whether you work hard to raise your SAT score, or you look for colleges that don't require high scores, you'll find that you have plenty of college options whatever your SAT scores are.

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What's the Average SAT Essay Score?

But what about your essay? How does your essay score compare to everyone else? There's no percentile information for that in the score report.

Find out what an average SAT essay score looks like (and how you stack up) in this article!

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UPDATE: SAT Essay No Longer Offered

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In January 2021, the College Board announced that after June 2021, it would no longer offer the Essay portion of the SAT (except at schools who opt in during School Day Testing). It is now no longer possible to take the SAT Essay, unless your school is one of the small number who choose to offer it during SAT School Day Testing.

While most colleges had already made SAT Essay scores optional, this move by the College Board means no colleges now require the SAT Essay. It will also likely lead to additional college application changes such not looking at essay scores at all for the SAT or ACT, as well as potentially requiring additional writing samples for placement.

What does the end of the SAT Essay mean for your college applications? Check out our article on the College Board's SAT Essay decision for everything you need to know.

What’s an Average SAT Essay Score?

First, a quick reminder about how SAT essays are scored: two graders score each SAT essay on a scale of 1-4 across three different dimensions:

Summed together, this means your score can range between 2 and 8 for each area. There is no longer one single "total" SAT essay score, just Reading, Analysis, and Writing essay scores.

Logically, it would seem that the average SAT essay score in each domain should be a 5 (since that's halfway between 2 and 8). The most recent SAT essay score data bears this out except when it comes to the Analysis dimension.

The average SAT essay score for students graduating high school in 2020 was 5 out of 8 for Reading, 3 out of 8 for Analysis, and 5 out of 8 for Writing (source: CollegeBoard 2020 Total Group Report) .

To get a better idea of how frequently different essay scores were assigned, I created several different SAT essay score distribution charts that show how many students got each essay score for Reading, Analysis, and Writing .

The data in this first chart shows the distribution of scores across all three dimensions for students who graduated high school in 2019.

Distribution of SAT Essay Scores for the 2019 Graduating Class

(data source for all graphs: CollegeBoard)

From this chart, we can see that there's the same general trend for the numbers of students who got various Reading and Writing scores, while there's something quite different going on with Analysis scores. Let's separate these scores out into separate graphs, starting with Reading and Writing essay scores.

Distribution of SAT Essay Reading Scores for the 2020 Graduating Class

Distribution of SAT Essay Writing Scores for the 2020 Graduating Class

If you compare the graphs for the distribution of Reading and Writing scores, you'll see a striking similarity between them when it comes to how many students got each score on Reading and Writing. There's a huge drop-off from the middle range of scores (4-6) to the upper and lower ends of the scale.

Because so many people score towards the middle on SAT Essay Reading and Writing scores, it's safe to say that if you score a 3 or below, your essay score is definitely lower than average; if you score a 4-6, your score is pretty average; and if you score a 7 or above, your score is significantly higher than average.

Things are a little murkier when it comes to the Analysis essay scores. Let's take a look.

Distribution of SAT Essay Analysis Scores for the 2020 Graduating Class

In contrast to the trend for Reading and Writing scores, Analysis scores are heavily skewed toward the bottom of the scale. Even though the average Analysis score for 2020 was a 3 out of 8, the Analysis score the most students received was 2 out of 8.

Why did so many students score lower on Analysis, while still managing to do okay on Reading and Writing? The most likely answer is that the Analysis dimension is the part of the SAT essay task that is most different from what students have had to do on other standardized test essays.

Instead of giving their opinion on the passage in the SAT essay prompt, students are asked to analyze the author's opinion. While this analysis is pretty straightforward once you manage to wrap your mind around it, it is very different from what students had to do on the old SAT essay (and what students are still asked to do on the ACT essay) and other standardized essays like DBQs .

Because of the different trends for Analysis scores on the SAT essay, an Analysis score of a 6 or above puts you well above average; a score of 3-5 is solidly middle of the pack; and a score of 2 is low. If you did get a 2/8 Analysis score, the good news is that you can most likely boost it to at least a 4 (if not a 6 or higher) by reviewing these 15 SAT essay tips .

When colleges look at your SAT scores, however, they usually won't look at your essay scores all by themselves. Most schools look at your overall SAT score first, your Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math scores next, and your essay scores last (if they care about your SAT essay scores at all). This leads into my next point...

How Much Does My Essay Score Matter?

Because your essay score no longer affects your Writing section score on the SAT, the importance of the SAT Essay has decreased significantly. More and more schools are dropping the requirement for students to submit SAT with Essay scores entirely, and schools that do require the SAT Essay often place much less importance on your essay score than on your other SAT scores.

Still, there are highly competitive programs and schools that use SAT scores to place students in the appropriate level classes that require students to submit SAT Essay scores. For these kinds of schools, while your SAT essay score still won't matter as much as almost any other part of your application, you'll still want to aim for a high enough score that you're not immediately disqualified (or so that you don't get bumped down into remedial writing).

So what's the average SAT essay score you should target for more competitive schools? Our advice is to aim for at least a 6 out of 8 on Reading, Analysis, and Writing.

Higher essay scores (particularly on the Analysis dimension) are even better, but a 6 out of 8 shows that you have above-average writing skills on a standardized essay written at the end of a multi-hour test.

In cases where admissions offices might wonder if your application's personal statement was a fluke, your SAT essay scores can confirm that you do have a certain level of writing ability. And the SAT essay rubric requirements to get a 6 out of 8 on each section are a pretty reasonable minimum standard for colleges to expect students to meet.

What If My SAT Essay Scores Are Below Average?

If you're struggling to get a 4 or above on each SAT essay section, don't despair—you're not alone, and there is hope.

Start by reading our collection of SAT essay blog articles . I recommend starting with our introduction to the new SAT essay prompts , our SAT essay tips article , and our explanation of the SAT essay rubric . Next, follow along as I write an SAT essay, step-by-step . With these four articles, you'll learn just what is required to excel in each dimension of the SAT essay and how to approach reading the prompt, analyzing the passage, and writing the essay.

For further help, you can take a look at how to create your own SAT essay templates and how to get a perfect 8/8/8 score on the SAT essay . If you're struggling with identifying how the authors of SAT essay prompts build their argument, we also go into the six most common argumentative essay devices .

Finally, if you think you'd benefit from more personalized feedback on your essay writing, you might want to try out PrepScholar SAT . You'll get to write essays on official SAT essay prompts and receive feedback from graders on what you're doing well and how you can improve and boost your score to the next level.

What’s Next?

Now that you know what an average SAT essay score is, what should be your target ? Learn more with our article on what a good SAT essay score is for you .

Discover what the relationship is between SAT essay length and essay score here !

Do you need to submit an SAT essay score for the schools you're applying to? Find out if your schools are on the list of schools requiring the SAT with essay here .

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? Check out our best-in-class online SAT prep classes. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your SAT score by 160 points or more. Our classes are entirely online, and they're taught by SAT experts. If you liked this article, you'll love our classes. Along with expert-led classes, you'll get personalized homework with thousands of practice problems organized by individual skills so you learn most effectively. We'll also give you a step-by-step, custom program to follow so you'll never be confused about what to study next. Try it risk-free today:

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Laura graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College with a BA in Music and Psychology, and earned a Master's degree in Composition from the Longy School of Music of Bard College. She scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and GRE and loves advising students on how to excel in high school.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

How much does the ACT cost?

$69 registration fee (no writing section), $94 registration fee (with writing section), act test cost.

The ACT costs $69 if you take the test without the optional writing section or $94 including the writing section. ACT score reports are free for you, your high school, and up to four colleges, and additional score reports cost $19 . Colleges and universities use ACT exam scores to make admissions decisions.

ACT test cost
Test or service type	Fee
Registration (no writing section)
Registration (with writing section)
Late registration
Standby testing
Add or remove the writing test
Change test date or location
View scores online
Score report	reports for you, your high school, and up to 4 colleges for each additional report
Test Information Release (TIR)	if order is placed before the test if order is placed after the test
Score verification	for multiple-choice test scores for writing test score

ACT registration fee

The ACT registration fee is $69 for the standard test with no writing section or $94 for the test with the writing section. This fee includes the exam and free online score reports for you, your high school, and up to four colleges.

If you miss the regular registration deadline, you can opt for late registration or standby testing:

Late registration: There is an extra $38 fee if you register during the late registration period, which is typically available for about two and a half weeks after the regular deadline for your desired test date.

Standby testing: If you miss the late registration deadline, you can pay a $69 fee for standby testing—a waitlist that admits students on a first-come, first-served basis if there are any available seats and test materials after all registered students have been admitted. If no seats are available, ACT refunds the standby fee.

ACT score service fees

After taking the ACT, you'll want to receive your score and share official score reports with the schools of your choice. ACT charges the following fees related to scoring your exam and reporting your scores:

Viewing your score online is free.

Score reports:

Sending score reports to up to four colleges and universities is free.

Sending score reports to a fifth and sixth school costs $19 in total.

Additional score reports cost $19 each .

Score verification costs $58 for either the multiple-choice section or the writing section or $116 for both sections. This service is available for up to 12 months after your test date. If you pay for score verification, ACT will verify:

Your multiple-choice test scores were checked against the correct scoring key.

Your written essay was scored by two independent, qualified readers, and by a third reader if the first two scores differed by more than one point in any domain.

Your written essay was correctly captured and displayed to readers.

Additional ACT test fees

You'll face these additional fees if you change, reschedule, or cancel your ACT test:

Changing your test date or location costs $44 .

Adding or removing the writing test costs $25 . This option is only available through the late registration deadline for your scheduled exam. Before registering for the ACT, check with your top college choices to see if they require the optional written essay.

Test Information Release (TIR) costs $32 if you order it before the test begins or $40 if you order it after the test. TIR gives you a digital copy of the test questions, your answers, the answer key, and the score conversion table. If you took the optional writing test, you'll also receive a copy of the writing prompt, your scores, and the scoring rubric.

ACT study guides

ACT offers several resources to help students prepare for the test:

The Official ACT Prep Guide costs $24 for the e-book version or $30 for the paperback version.

Individual subject guides like The Official ACT English Guide or The Official ACT Mathematics Guide cost $16 to $18 each .

To save money, consider buying the prep guide and all four subject guides bundled at a reduced price. The Official ACT Prep Guide & Subject Guides bundle costs $69 .

Free ACT practice tests are available on the official website.

Study guides from other sources like The Princeton Review range from $20 to $30 on average and typically come with access to online practice tests.

ACT prep courses

Prices for ACT prep courses range from $150 to $1,900 , depending on the features included and whether the program is self-paced or includes live online instruction.

Consider hiring an ACT tutor for more personalized, one-on-one instruction tailored to your needs. A tutor can evaluate your current knowledge and help you determine which areas of study to focus on.

ACT fee waiver

ACT offers fee waivers for students who demonstrate financial need. You must meet the following eligibility requirements to apply for a fee waiver:

Be currently enrolled in the 11 th or 12 th grade in high school.

Take the ACT test in the U.S., U.S. territories, or Puerto Rico.

Meet one or more of these indicators of financial need:

The family’s total annual income is at or below USDA levels for free or reduced-price school lunches.

The student is enrolled in a program for economically disadvantaged students, such as Upward Bound or Gear Up.

The family receives public assistance or lives in federally subsidized public housing.

The student resides in a foster home, is a ward of the state, or is experiencing homelessness.

ACT originally stood for American College Testing. The name was shortened to ACT in 1996.

What is the ACT test?

The ACT is a standardized test used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The test measures a high school student's general educational development and their readiness for college-level education.

What is on the ACT test?

The ACT contains four tests with a total of 215 multiple-choice questions that measure the student's knowledge and skills in English, reading, mathematics, and science.

The ACT also offers an optional writing test with one writing prompt describing a complex issue and three different perspectives about that issue. Students must write an essay developing their own perspective on the issue and analyzing the relationship between their perspective and one or more of the other perspectives provided.

ACT test sections
Test section	Number of questions	Minutes allowed	Measures
	75	45	Ability to revise and edit essays and short texts in various genres
	60	60	Mathematical skills typically acquired by the beginning of grade 12, such as algebra, geometry, and some trigonometry
	40	35	Ability to read closely, integrate information from multiple sources, and reason logically about the texts
	40	35	Interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills used in the natural sciences
(optional)	1 essay	40	Writing skills taught in high school English classes and entry-level college composition courses

When do you take the ACT test?

Most students take the ACT during the spring of their junior year or fall of their senior year of high school. Make sure you leave yourself enough time to retake the test before applying to colleges if you're not happy with your score on the first attempt.

tutors-student-hand-with-pencil-filling-in-test-answer-sheet

FAQs about the ACT test

How long is the act test.

The ACT consists of four multiple-choice tests and one optional writing test. The four multiple-choice tests take 2 hours and 55 minutes total, not including the 15-minute break between the second and third tests. The optional writing test lasts 40 minutes .

What is a good score on the ACT test?

What is considered a good ACT score varies by college. Highly competitive Ivy League colleges look for scores in the 30s, while other schools may consider scores in the mid-20s competitive.

Each section of the ACT test is scored from 1 to 36. The average score ranges are:

Below average: 1 to 16

Average: 17 to 24

Above average: 25 to 36

What is the difference between the SAT and ACT test?

The SAT and ACT cover many similar subjects, and neither test is necessarily better than the other. Most colleges accept scores from either exam and don't prefer one over the other. However, there are some differences between the two tests:

The ACT includes a science section, which may be beneficial for students pursuing a STEM degree.

The ACT offers an optional written essay section. The SAT no longer offers this option.

The SAT uses an adaptive scoring system that adjusts the difficulty and number of questions based on the student's performance on previous questions.

The SAT is shorter at 2 hours and 14 minutes, compared to 2 hours and 55 minutes for the ACT without the written section or 3 hours and 35 minutes with the written section.

The SAT allows more time per question, but the questions tend to be more complicated than those on the ACT.

Are the SAT and ACT tests important?

Most four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. require applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores as part of the admissions process. Schools receive thousands of applications each year, and high scores on the SAT or ACT help them narrow down their selection of students.

Scoring well on the SAT or ACT may help you qualify for more merit-based scholarships. A high score can also help students with less-than-stellar GPAs demonstrate their academic improvement.

How to find an ACT tutor

Preparing for the ACT with a tutor can help you achieve a higher score and eliminate the need to take the test again. Follow these tips to find a reputable ACT tutor near you :

Look for tutors with experience helping students prep for the ACT or for specific sections of the test.

Read reviews of ACT tutors on Tutors.com and Google.

Ask for references with contact information.

Confirm their tutoring experience and educational background.

Ask if they'll offer a trial session to see how well you work together.

Questions to ask ACT tutors

Ask these important questions to ensure you find the best ACT tutor for you:

What experience do you have tutoring students for the ACT?

Have you helped students improve their ACT scores?

Can you describe your teaching methods and style?

What is your hourly rate for tutoring?

How many sessions will it take to prep for the ACT?

Do you offer packages or discounts if I book multiple sessions?

Which ACT study materials do you recommend?

Do your prices include practice exams?

Can you provide references?

Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.

Other ways to search:

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We enroll an incoming class of highly qualified, intellectually curious and actively involved students who have demonstrated high levels of maturity and personal integrity as well as a commitment to serving their communities.

To achieve this, we practice a holistic admission review process, which takes into account a variety of primary academic factors and secondary factors as they relate to your ability to be successful in our competitive academic environment. While admission is competitive, you will be considered on an individual basis relative to a prediction of your academic success in the college to which you apply.

Academic Rigor

The primary factor in admission decisions is your academic achievement. CU Boulder focuses on your classroom performance in core academic courses, the rigor of your course selection and your GPA. SAT and ACT will not be required when applying to CU Boulder. CU Boulder has, and will continue to, review via a holistic assessment of each application with all of the information that is available.

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International students with four or less semesters of U.S. schooling should refer to their country's specific requirements.

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The grades you have earned while in high school or secondary school play the most important role in determining your competitiveness for admission to the University of Colorado Boulder.

Since there are many different grading scales and weighting methods, we use the total weighted GPA provided by your graduating high school, using a standard 4.00 scale. GPAs that are not on a 4.00 scale are converted accordingly.

If your high school does not provide a weighted GPA but provides a total unweighted GPA, we will use your total unweighted GPA on a standard 4.00 scale. If your high school does not provide a GPA or the GPA provided does not include all completed high school courses, we will recalculate the GPA according to the grading scale in use at your high school at the time the course was completed. When recalculating a GPA, we will not add weight for honors, AP and/or IB curricula because there is not a standard format for the designation or grading scale for these courses. However, we do consider the number of honors, AP and/or IB courses a student takes when determining the rigor of their overall curriculum.

Class Selection

Academic rigor in your course selection is also a primary factor that we consider. To be competitive, challenge yourself by pursuing the most rigorous courses available that are appropriate to your level of ability.

The number of courses taken beyond the minimum recommendation of 17—as well as those designated as advanced, honors, gifted, concurrent enrollment, dual-enrollment, AP or IB —will be considered in the admission process.

First-year students applying to undergraduate programs are strongly encouraged to meet the following Higher Education Admission Recommendations (HEAR) . Students may be admitted to CU Boulder even though they have not completed all of the HEAR courses. There are no consequences if HEAR is not met. However, not completing HEAR might result in taking additional courses to meet the CU Boulder graduation requirements of individual majors. International students with four or less semesters of U.S. schooling should refer to their country's specific requirements .

Please note: a challenging schedule will not outweigh a non-competitive GPA, as your grades ultimately remain the single most important factor in your admission decision. Additionally, any grades of D or F on your transcript—especially in your junior or senior year—would be cause for concern and should be addressed in your application.

Standardized Tests

ACT or SAT scores are not required for first-year students, but you may provide self-reported scores if you would like us to take your scores into consideration when reviewing your application. You will indicate on the Common App whether you plan to submit standardized test scores. If you choose to submit scores, please ensure that we have received them by the relevant application deadline so that your application will not be considered late.

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English Proficiency Requirements for International Students

In addition to our general admission requirements, all international applicants are also required to meet a minimum standard of English proficiency. International students who do not meet this requirement may still be eligible for conditional admission.

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Beyond Academics

While academics and test scores play a large role in your admission decision, we want students who are actively involved in their schools and communities. We place importance on secondary factors beyond academic achievement to assess the overall qualities of an applicant.

What makes you stand out? Be thoughtful and use your required essays and your letter of recommendation to highlight your school and community activities, leadership positions and awards, participation in athletics or music, work experience, summer activities and special circumstances. Please note: we do not accept or use portfolio or audio/video submissions in our admission process.

Personal Essays

Your personal essays give you the opportunity to tell us more about yourself. They provide insight into your challenges and triumphs in a way that transcripts and test scores simply cannot.

When reading your essays, we are looking for sincerity and authenticity. It’s easy to tell when a student’s essay is something they care deeply about, compared to a student who writes what they think we want to hear. A funny or interesting story doesn’t hurt, either!

There is one essay and one short answer required for first year applicants. As you write your essay and short answer, consider reflecting on challenges that you've overcome, your family or cultural heritage, your academic or co-curricular achievements or specific moments that have defined your character. There are no 'correct' answers to these questions; your responses should reflect the unique aspects and experiences of your life.

What we are looking for:

Be yourself. Open up to us and write about something that is meaningful to you.
Be specific. Give examples and tell stories to make your points.
Be honest. We are interested in your journey—even if it hasn’t always been perfect.
Be clear. Effective writing and communication skills are expected.

Letter of Recommendation

Just like your essays give you the chance to tell us more about you, a letter of recommendation gives someone else the opportunity to speak to your academic strengths and co-curricular involvement.

This is the one chance in your application where we get to learn about you from someone other than you, so choose someone who knows you well. Many students ask a teacher or school counselor to write their letter of recommendation.

Admitted Student Averages

Credentials based on the middle 50% of 2024 admitted first-year students. High School GPAs are weighted and may represent self-reported GPAs. SAT/ACT scores reflect the middle 50% score range for students who requested test scores be considered in their application review. For the 2024 first-year application, SAT/ACT scores are not required and we take a holistic approach when reviewing your application.

Weighted High School GPA: 3.74 - 4.23

SAT Total: 1290 - 1460 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 29 - 34

College of Arts & Sciences

Weighted High School GPA: 3.70 - 4.20

SAT Total: 1270 - 1440 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 29 - 33

College of Engineering & Applied Science

Weighted High School GPA: 3.97 - 4.42

SAT Total: 1360 - 1500 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 31 - 34

College of Media, Communication & Information

Weighted High School GPA: 3.54 - 4.06

SAT Total: 1220 - 1380 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 28 - 32

College of Music

Weighted High School GPA: 3.71 - 4.20

SAT Total: 1290 - 1470 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 30 - 33

Leeds School of Business

Weighted High School GPA: 4.0 - 4.36

SAT Total: 1360 - 1450 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 30 - 34

Program in Environmental Design

Weighted High School GPA: 3.62 - 4.17

SAT Total: 1270 - 1410 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 29 - 32

School of Education

Weighted High School GPA: 3.40 - 3.99

SAT Total: 1160 - 1330 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 26 - 31

Credit for Course work or Exams

Students applying to CU Boulder have the opportunity to earn college credit before enrollment. CU Boulder accepts credit from AP/IB exams, A-Level exams, college course work taken concurrently while in high school and limited CLEP credit. Earning college credit while in high school is a great way to help offset some of your estimated cost of attendance. Students are highly encouraged to explore credit for course work options while in high school. For more information on how credit is transferred to CU Boulder and what credit can be accepted please see the links below.

Official Advanced Placement (AP) scores must be sent to the admissions office directly from the College Board. CU Boulder's CEEB/ETS code is 004841.

Review the Advanced Placement Chart

For A-level examinations from an international examining board to be considered for transfer credit, the student must submit an official copy of the examination result, either by submitting the original certificate upon arrival on campus (University of Colorado Boulder will make and keep a copy as official, returning the original to the student), or through verification of results between the Office of Admissions and the examinations board. Methods of approved verification are below.

AQA : Student must request verification by emailing [email protected] (add 'Verification' in the subject box) and have it sent to [email protected] .
CIE: The University of Colorado Boulder can use CIE Direct after requesting the following information from the student: Cambridge Center and candidate numbers, student’s date of birth and the relevant examination series (month and year, e.g. June 2014).
OCR : Student must request that OCR send a fax confirming student’s results to the University of Colorado Boulder. Fax number: +1-303-735-2501, ATTN: International Admissions.
Pearson/Edexcel : Student must apply for a copy of the certificate to be sent directly to the University of Colorado Boulder.
WJEC/CBAC : Student must submit original Certificate or Certifying Statement of Results only (confirmation of grades via email/telephone/fax not available).

If you took college-level courses while enrolled in high school, you may be able to transfer the credit to CU Boulder. Only courses taken at a college or university of recognized standing with grades of C- or better are accepted for transfer. All college-level work will be evaluated in accordance with CU Boulder transfer credit guidelines. You must have an official college transcript sent directly to the Office of Admissions in order for transfer credit to be evaluated.

Review the Transfer Credit Policy

The International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma programs provide pre-university study. IB examinations, whether leading to a full IB diploma or to an IB certificate, often qualify students for advanced standing at CU Boulder. In general, credit is granted for approved IB examinations at the higher level with a score of 4 or better. Students admitted to the University of Colorado Boulder who have graduated from high school with an International Baccalaureate Diploma shall be granted 24 semester hours of college credit. This credit will be applied toward degree requirements only if approved by the college or school. Depending on the student’s degree program, some of the 24 credits may not be applicable towards degree requirements. No CU Boulder tuition will be charged for these credits and the 24 credits will only be granted if the student receives a score of 4 or better on an examination administered as part of the IB Diploma program. If the student scores less than 4 on each IB subject test, the credit hours granted will be reduced accordingly. Official scores must be sent to the Admissions Office directly from the IB organization.

Review the International Baccalaureate Chart

Ready to apply?

Learn how to apply

Undergraduate Admission Information For:

Students pose for a photo at the Black and Gold Bash celebration

First-Year Applicants

First-year applicants are in high school, or have graduated from high school but have not taken any college courses after graduating or earning a GED.

Transfer Applicants

Transfer applicants have attended another college or university since earning their high school diploma or GED. Transfer applicants are looking to complete a bachelor’s degree at CU Boulder.

International Applicants

Undergraduate international applicants are students who need a visa to be in the U.S. Apply as a domestic student if you have a U.S. passport or green card.

Readmit Applicants

Veteran Applicants

Undocumented Applicants

CU Boulder counselors are here to help you through the application and answer any questions that may arise during the admission process.

Find Your Counselor

Join Our Communication List
Contact Admissions

The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. You may view the list of ADA and Title IX coordinators and review the Regent policy .

As a student or prospective student at CU Boulder, you have a right to certain information pertaining to financial aid programs, the Clery Act, crime and safety, graduation rates, athletics and other general information such as the costs associated with attending CU Boulder. To view this information visit colorado.edu/your-right-know .

Apply for Admission

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Understanding Your Cost of Attendance

Interpreting SAT Scores

Help your students learn how to interpret their SAT score and find out what the numbers mean. To view scores, students can sign in to their online account.

SAT Score Structure

Total SAT score: 400–1600
Reading and Writing Section: 200–800
Math Section: 200–800
SAT Essay: Three scores ranging from 2–8

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SAT Score Reported	Details	Score Range
	Sum of the 2 section scores.	400–1600
	Reading and Writing, and Math.	200–800
	Reading, Analysis, and Writing.	2–8

Putting Scores into Perspective

Score and score insights provide substantial feedback. Mean scores, score comparisons, percentiles, and benchmarks can help your students put their scores in perspective. Knowledge and skills performance can help identify strengths and weaknesses and see what skills need more practice. However, scores won't reveal if students passed because there's no such thing as a passing score.

What the Numbers Mean

Score ranges, benchmarks, mean (average) score comparisons, and percentiles can be used to see if your students are on track for college readiness.

Score Ranges

Score ranges show how much a student's score might change with repeated testing, assuming their skill level remains the same.

Usually, section scores for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and for Math fall in a range of roughly 30 to 40 points above or below their true ability. Colleges know this, and they receive the score ranges along with scores to consider that single snapshot in context.

Mean (Average) Score Comparisons

Score information online show you the mean, or average, scores earned by typical U.S. test takers per grade. You can view the mean scores of testers at the student's school, district, state, country, and/or testers worldwide (as applicable). Unless a score is much lower than average, your students are developing the kinds of reading, writing and language, and math skills they'll need in college.

College and Career Readiness Benchmarks

The SAT College and Career Readiness Benchmarks reflect benchmark scores for both Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math sections. Students whose scores meet each section's benchmarks are considered college and career ready. That means if a score is at or above the benchmark, they're on track to be ready for college after high school.

Students can use the detailed feedback in their online score portal or speak with a school counselor about their scores to see which skills need the most improvement.

Percentile Ranks

A percentile rank is a number between 1 and 99 that shows how your students scored compared to other students. It represents the percentage of students whose scores fall at or below their score. For example, a test taker in the 57th percentile scored higher than or equal to 57% of test takers.

You'll see up to four percentiles:

The Nationally Representative Sample percentile (available in the K–12 Student Roster only) compares your students' scores to the scores of typical 11th- and 12th-grade U.S. students.
The All Tester Percentile compares their scores to the actual scores of all recent graduates (worldwide) who took the SAT during high school.
The Country Percentile compares their scores to the actual scores of recent graduates in the student's country who took the SAT during high school.
The State Percentile compares their scores to the actual scores of recent graduates in the student's state who took the SAT during high school. This is available to U.S. testers only.

Retaking the SAT Takes Practice

As you and your students learn more about scores, let them know that many students take the SAT for the first time in the spring of their junior year and again in the fall of their senior year. Students usually do better the second time.

Learn how benchmarks work together to help students and educators assess student progress toward college readiness from year to year.

Understanding SAT Weekend Scores for Students and Families

This document helps students taking the SAT on a weekend administration understand the student's scores and learn where to find more information.

Understanding Your SAT Score

Students can watch this video to learn about their score and score insights.

SAT School Day Understanding Scores for Students and Families

This document helps students taking the SAT during in-school testing and their families understand the student's scores and learn where to find more information.

SAT School Day Understanding Scores for Students and Families (Spanish)

This document helps students who took SAT School Day and their families understand the student's scores and learn where to find more information.

SAT School Day Understanding Scores for Students and Families (Chinese)

Sat school day understanding scores for students and families (arabic), related topics.

Supported by

The Australian Professor Who Turned Breaking on Its Head

Rachael Gunn, known as B-girl Raygun, displayed some … unique moves as she competed in a field with breakers half her age. The judges and the internet were underwhelmed.

Share full article

A woman wearing green track pants, a green polo shirt and a cap poses with her hand up in front of a judges table.

By Dodai Stewart and Talya Minsberg

Reporting from Paris

Breaking made its debut as an Olympic sport Friday, and among the competitors was Dr. Rachael Gunn, also known as B-girl Raygun, a 36-year-old professor from Sydney, Australia, who stood out in just about every way.

By day, her research interests include “dance, gender politics, and the dynamics between theoretical and practical methodologies.” But on the world’s stage in Paris, wearing green track pants and a green polo shirt instead of the street-style outfits of her much younger fellow breakers, she competed against the 21-year-old Logan Edra of the United States, known as Logistx.

During the round robin, as Raygun and Logistx faced off, Raygun laid on her side, reached for her toes, spun around, and threw in a kangaroo hop — a nod to her homeland. She performed a move that looked something like swimming and another that could best be described as duckwalking. The high-speed back and head spins that other breakers would demonstrate were mostly absent.

The crowd cheered Raygun politely. The judges weren’t as kind. All nine voted for Logistx in both rounds of the competition; Logistx won, 18-0.

Online, Raygun’s performance quickly became a sensation, not necessarily in a flattering way.

“The more I watch the videos of Raygun, the Aussie breaker, the more I get annoyed,” one viewer posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “There’s 27.7 million Australians in the world and that’s who they send to the Olympics for this inaugural event??? C’mon now!”

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IMAGES

SAT Essay Scores Explained
What is a Good SAT Score in 2022?
What is a Good SAT Essay Score + How is the SAT Essay Scored?
SAT Essay Scores Explained
Infographic: What's a Good SAT Score for College?
021 What Is Good Sat Essay Score ~ Thatsnotus

COMMENTS

What is a Good SAT Essay Score?
In 2019, the mean score on the Reading and Writing for the SAT Essay was a 5. For the Analysis section, the mean score was a little lower at 3, simply because Analysis is a skill that high school students spend less time honing than Reading or Writing. For a detailed breakdown of how 2019's test takers performed, here are a few score ...
What Is the SAT Essay?
For instance, you can't choose to send Math scores but not SAT Essay scores. Until 2021, the SAT Essay was also an optional section when taking the SAT on a weekend. That section was discontinued in 2021. If you don't have the opportunity to take the SAT Essay section as part of the SAT, don't worry. There are other ways to show your ...
SAT Essay Scores Explained
The average essay-taking student scores a 1,080 on the SAT and receives just under a 5/4/5. We would advise students to use these results only as broad benchmarks. It would not be at all unusual to score a point below these means. Scores that are consistently 2 or more points below the means may be more of a concern.
What Is A Good SAT Essay Score? · PrepScholar
Currently, the SAT essay is scored on a scale of 1 to 6 by two graders, for a total essay score out of 12. Your essay is scored holistically, which means you don't get bumped down to a certain essay grade if you make, for instance, a certain number of comma errors. Instead, SAT essay scorers use the SAT essay rubric to grade your essay as a ...
Understanding SAT Scores
A good SAT score is one that helps you get into a college you want to go to. Your SAT Score Explained. Get information on how to navigate your score and score insights. How Scores Are Calculated. Review the different factors that result in your final SAT score. Who Will See My Score?
What Is a Good SAT Score?
Note that the percentile rankings for scores may change slightly from year to year. Your SAT score, which ranges from 400-1600, is the sum of your two section scores: Math and Reading and Writing. Each section uses a scale of 200-800 in 10-point increments. A good score on Math or Reading and Writing, then, would be around 600.
What's a Good SAT Score?
The average SAT score for the high school class of 2022 was 1050, down by 10 points from the class of 2021, according to a report from the College Board, which administers the SAT. That score ...
What Is a Good SAT Score?
A good SAT score is one that helps you get admitted to a college that you want to go to. The average SAT score is around 1050. Any score above that would be above average. A score of 1350 would put you in the top 10% of test takers and help make your application competitive at more selective schools. In choosing colleges to apply to, consider ...
Your SAT Score Explained
The top portion of your score information contains a big black number. This is your SAT score, also referred to as your total score. Next to your score are the numbers 400-1600, indicating that the range of possible scores on the SAT is 400-1600. To the right of your total score is your score percentile, telling you what percentage of ...
What Is a Good SAT Essay Score?
That means that a good SAT essay score is a 6, 7, or 8 on each of the scoring dimensions if we use the logic that a 6 is the sum of two scores of 3 from your graders, and those 3s reflect that both graders thought you adequately accomplished that objectives of that dimension. Because your SAT essay score is a list of three numbers, (like a ...
What's a Good SAT Score? A Bad SAT Score? An Excellent ...
In terms of what makes for good SAT scores based on this chart, you already know that 1050 is about average, so anything above that would be an above-average score. A 1250 places you in the 81st percentile—that is, in the top fifth of test takers—which is very good. A 1350 puts you in the top 10%, making it a strong score.
The CollegeVine Guide to SAT Scores: All Your Questions Answered
SAT Essay Scores. The SAT Essay scores will include three scored dimensions. The dimensions scored are Reading, Analysis, and Writing. Each dimension is scored on a scale from two to eight points. The score report will show the prompt you responded to, your essay itself, and a link to the Essay Scoring Guide.
How to Get a Perfect 8|8|8 SAT Essay Score
But there's something important to remember in your question for perfection: on the SAT essay, an 8 in all categories is not always achievable. We've got good news and bad news for those of you who are determined to score an 8/8/8 on the SAT essay. Good News and Bad News by Mike Licht, used under CC BY 2.0/Cropped from original. The Bad News
What Is a Good SAT Score in 2023?
Most colleges release their middle 50% ranges, meaning that the middle 50% of accepted students scored in that range, with 25% scoring below and above. For example, if a school's middle 50% SAT range is 1320-1450, 25% of students scored below 1320, 50% scored 1320-1450, and 25% of students scored above 1450. It's important to have a score ...
SAT School Day with Essay
The response shows a good control of the conventions of standard written English and is free of significant errors that detract from the quality of writing. 2: Partial: The response ... Download student sample essays—and the explanations that show why they received the score they did—for SAT Practice Essay 2. PDF; 319.18 KB; Download.
What Is a Good SAT Score? Finding Your Goal Score 2024
It's a good rule of thumb to achieve an SAT score that's higher than the middle 50 percent of scores. For example, half of the students admitted to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor had an SAT score of between 1360 and 1580 [ 2 ]. This is much higher than the national average total SAT score, so if you wanted to apply and be competitive, it ...
What Is a Good SAT Score? (2024)
A good SAT score is generally considered to be 1210 or higher, which would put you in the top 25% of all test takers.; In 2023, the national average score earned on the SAT was 1028, and a "perfect" score on the SAT is the maximum score of 1600. Every college and university has its own unique SAT score range which should be consulted when determining what a "good" score is for you.
High, Low, and Average SAT Scores: What's Your Score?
What is considered a good SAT score? The SAT exam consists of two required sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Mathematics. There is also an optional essay section. The scores from each required section can range from 200 to 800, so the best possible total score without the essay is 1600.
SAT Essay Scores: Score Calculation and SAT Essay Score Range
SAT Essay Practice Test 10. Each section of SAT essay ranges on a scale of 2 to 8, and achieving a score of 6 in every section is considered a good score. Your SAT essay score will be based on your reading, analysis, and writing levels. From 2021 SAT essay scores are not a part of the exam.
What's the Average SAT Essay Score? · PrepScholar
The average SAT essay score for students graduating high school in 2020 was 5 out of 8 for Reading, 3 out of 8 for Analysis, and 5 out of 8 for Writing (source: CollegeBoard 2020 Total Group Report). To get a better idea of how frequently different essay scores were assigned, I created several different SAT essay score distribution charts that ...
What is a good essay score? : r/Sat
Thanks!! I got a 16/24 and thought I put together a rly good essay, kinda bummed about it. I'd like too know too cause I'm wondering if it is gonna hurt my college admissions. Most schools don't even see the essay score, and even if they do, nobody really cares about it. So assuming I'm aiming around a 1500-1600 for my sat score (I'm ...
The ACT Is Changing: Here's What to Know
In the past, colleges have required optional tests - such as the now-defunct SAT subject tests - or optional test sections, like the essay sections on the old SAT and the current ACT, Zahn says.
How Much Does the ACT Cost? (2024)
What is a good score on the ACT test? What is considered a good ACT score varies by college. Highly competitive Ivy League colleges look for scores in the 30s, while other schools may consider scores in the mid-20s competitive. ... The ACT offers an optional written essay section. The SAT no longer offers this option.
First-Year
High School GPAs are weighted and may represent self-reported GPAs. SAT/ACT scores reflect the middle 50% score range for students who requested test scores be considered in their application review. For the 2024 first-year application, SAT/ACT scores are not required and we take a holistic approach when reviewing your application.
What's a Good SAT Score?
The average SAT score is around 1050. Any score above that would be above average. A score of 1350 would put you in the top 10% of test takers. If you have time to take the SAT again—especially if you took it as a junior—it's possible to bring your score up considerably with practice. Your SAT score report gives you valuable information ...
Interpreting SAT Scores
Total SAT score: 400-1600. Reading and Writing Section: 200-800. Math Section: 200-800. SAT Essay: Three scores ranging from 2-8. SAT Score Reported. Details. Score Range. Total score. Sum of the 2 section scores.
The Australian Professor Who Turned Breaking on Its Head
Breaking made its debut as an Olympic sport Friday, and among the competitors was Dr. Rachael Gunn, also known as B-girl Raygun, a 36-year-old professor from Sydney, Australia, who stood out in ...