Understanding the SAT & ACT

What is the SAT? (SAT Exam Meaning)

The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. It is designed to measure a student's readiness for college and assess skills in Reading, Writing, and Math. The official administrator is the College Board (sat.org).

What are the SAT and ACT?

The SAT and ACT are the two primary standardized tests accepted by U.S. colleges for admission. While they test similar academic skills, they have different structures, timing, and content focuses. Most colleges accept either score without preference.

SAT/ACT Scores Explained

What is a good SAT score?

A "good" score is relative to the colleges you are applying to. However, here's a general guide based on percentiles:

• 1350+ (90th percentile and above): Very competitive for most selective colleges.
• 1200-1340 (75th-89th percentile): Solidly above average; competitive for a wide range of universities.
• 1050-1190 (Average Range): The national average SAT score is typically around 1050. This range is sufficient for many state schools.
• Below 1050: Below the national average.

Score Breakdown: What Your SAT Score Means

The SAT score range is 400 to 1600. Here’s a detailed look at what specific scores indicate:

• 1500-1600: 98th-99th+ percentile. A 1600 is a perfect score. Scores in this range, like a 1500 SAT score, are exceptional and make you a top applicant for Ivy League and other elite universities.
• 1400-1490: 94th-98th percentile. A 1400 SAT score is excellent and highly competitive for top-tier universities.
• 1300-1390: 85th-93rd percentile. Scores like a 1300 or 1310 are very good and make you a strong candidate for most selective colleges.
• 1200-1290: 74th-84th percentile. A 1200 SAT score (or a 1250, 1280, etc.) is well above average and strengthens your application for many schools.
• 1100-1190: 58th-73rd percentile. An 1100 SAT score is near the national average. Colleges that accept an 1100 SAT score include many state universities and less selective private colleges.
• 1000-1090: 40th-57th percentile. A 1000 SAT score is slightly below the average.

Score Conversions: SAT, ACT & PSAT

Conversions help you compare your performance across different tests. These are based on official concordance tables from the College Board and ACT, Inc.

PSAT to SAT Conversion

PSAT scores are on a scale of 320-1520. While there's no direct 1-to-1 conversion, your PSAT score is a strong predictor of your SAT score. A 1050 on the PSAT suggests you are on track to score around 1050 on the SAT if you continue at the same level. Use the free practice tests on the College Board website to get a more accurate SAT baseline.

Test-Optional & Test-Blind Admissions

What does "Test-Optional" mean?

Many colleges have a test-optional policy, meaning you are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of your application. Your application will be evaluated based on your GPA, coursework, essays, and extracurriculars. It is your choice whether to send your scores.

Colleges That Don't Require SAT Scores

The list of no SAT required colleges is extensive and changes yearly. As of the 2024-2025 application cycle, many universities remain test-optional. However, some highly selective schools (like MIT, Georgetown) have reinstated testing requirements. Always check the specific requirements for each university on their admissions website.

Test Logistics & Preparation

Application & Deadlines

You must register for the SAT through the official College Board website. Pay close attention to the SAT application deadlines, which are typically about a month before the test date. You can check "My SAT" on the website to see your registration and scores.

Practice Tests & Test Prep

The best way to prepare is to take official practice tests. You can find free SAT practice tests online with scoring through the College Board and Khan Academy. For focused prep, consider a SAT math course or materials focusing on the Reading and Writing sections.

Retaking the SAT

Many students retake the SAT to improve their score. Most colleges will "superscore," meaning they will take your highest section scores from all your test dates and combine them for a new, higher composite score.

Scholarships & Special Groups

Scholarships Based on SAT Scores

Many universities and private organizations offer scholarships based on SAT/ACT scores. High scores can automatically qualify you for merit aid at certain institutions. A score of 1100, 1240, or 1300 might qualify you for specific scholarships, but higher scores open up more opportunities.

Information for International & Homeschooled Students

The SAT is a key entrance exam for international students applying to U.S. colleges. The requirements are generally the same. Homeschooled students use the SAT/ACT to provide a standardized measure of their academic ability alongside their homeschool transcript.

Understanding SAT Scores (Below 1000)

An SAT score in the range of 400-990 is considered below the national average. A 400 SAT score is the minimum possible, while scores like a 750 SAT score or a 950 SAT score fall below the 50th percentile. These scores might meet the criteria for some community colleges or open-enrollment universities, but would generally require significant improvement for admission to most four-year colleges. A 980 SAT, for example, is around the 35th-40th percentile.

Understanding Average SAT Scores (1000-1190)

Scores in this range are around the national average. The 2022 average SAT score was 1050, which is the 50th percentile. This means a score of 1050 is better than half of the test-takers. A score in this range will make you a competitive applicant at many state universities and less selective private colleges. It demonstrates a solid foundation in the skills tested on the SAT.

Understanding Good SAT Scores (1200-1390)

A score in this range, such as a 1320 on the SAT, 1350 SAT score, or a 1390 SAT score, is strong and competitive. A 1350 SAT percentile is approximately the 90th percentile, meaning you scored better than 90% of students. Scores like these make you a solid candidate for many selective colleges and can make you eligible for merit-based scholarships.

Understanding Excellent SAT Scores (1400-1510)

Achieving a 1400 SAT score, 1450 on the SAT, or a 1500 SAT score is an excellent result that makes you a competitive applicant for top-tier universities. The 1400 SAT percentile is around 94-95%, while a 1500 SAT percentile is in the 99th percentile. There are many colleges for a 1400 SAT score, including top-50 universities, and these scores often lead to scholarship opportunities.

Understanding Elite SAT Scores (1520-1600)

A 1520 SAT, 1550 SAT, or a perfect 1600 on the SAT places you in the top 1% of all test-takers. The 1520 SAT percentile, 1550 SAT percentile, and higher are all considered 99th percentile SAT scores. These elite scores make you a highly desirable applicant at any college in the world, including Ivy League institutions, and can qualify you for significant scholarships.

SAT Score Percentiles Explained

An SAT percentile indicates the percentage of students you scored higher than. The 75th percentile SAT score (approx. 1200) means you outscored 75% of test-takers. According to 2022 SAT percentiles, the 98th percentile SAT was around 1500, and the 99th percentile SAT was a score of 1520 or higher. A score's percentile helps you understand its competitiveness.

PSAT to SAT Score Projection

The PSAT is scored on a 320-1520 scale, while the SAT is 400-1600. The scores are good predictors of one another. A 1320 PSAT to SAT projection means you are on track to score around 1320 on the real SAT without further study. However, since the SAT is a harder test and students usually study more, a 1400 PSAT to SAT projection often results in a score above 1400 on the actual exam.

SAT to ACT Score Conversion

Colleges view SAT and ACT scores equally, using a concordance table for comparison. A 1320 SAT to ACT is equivalent to a 28 ACT. A 1420 SAT to ACT is a 32. A 1450 SAT to ACT converts to a 33. A 1500 SAT to ACT is a 34. A 1550 SAT to ACT is roughly a 35. These conversions help you send your best score to colleges.

ACT to SAT Score Conversion

You can convert your ACT score to an SAT equivalent to see which score is stronger. An 18 ACT to SAT is about 960-980. A 25 ACT to SAT is about 1200-1220. A 29 ACT to SAT is about 1330-1350. A 32 ACT to SAT is about 1420-1440. A 34 ACT to SAT is about 1490-1510. A 35 ACT to SAT is about 1520-1560.

SAT Scores and College Scholarships

A high SAT score is key to unlocking merit-based aid. While specific amounts vary, a 1350 SAT score for scholarships can make you eligible for significant awards at many state and private universities. A 1450 SAT score for scholarships puts you in the running for more competitive awards, and a 1500+ SAT score scholarship could include full-tuition offers from certain schools.

SAT Scores and College Admission

Your SAT score helps determine your competitiveness. With a 1400 SAT score, colleges like Boston University, Villanova, and the University of Florida are often considered "target" schools. With a 1500 SAT score, colleges like Georgetown, Carnegie Mellon, and other top-25 universities become realistic targets. Researching a college's middle 50% SAT range is the best way to see where you stand.

Old SAT Score (2400 Scale) Conversion

Before 2016, the SAT was scored out of 2400. An 1800 SAT score on that scale is roughly a 1280-1300 on the current 1600 scale. A 2000 SAT score would convert to about a 1400-1420. The 2400 to 1600 SAT conversion is not a simple mathematical formula; it requires an official College Board concordance chart to accurately map old scores to the new scale. A perfect 2400 SAT score equals a 1600.