SAT Scores for US Colleges ranges from around 1500-1600. The SAT universities in USA have different SAT score requirements. Few universities have a very high SAT score requirement for admission and some others have low to moderate SAT score requirements. The top US universities like Harvard University, Yale University, MIT, and University of Pennsylvania accept SAT scores of 1500, scoring above 680 in maths while scoring above 600 in the reading and writing section.The SAT is scored based on a 1600-point grading scale. It consists of two sections: Math, and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. Along with a decent SAT score you need to have a decent academic foundation and meet the course-specific necessities of the college to be considered for admission.
Understanding the SAT score is of utmost importance as scores can be different in different universities. However, candidates with SAT scores of 1400 are just the candidates with an average SAT score. For the top colleges around the 75th percentile SAT score is always a better idea because the level of competition in these colleges is always high. A 75 percentile SAT score not only confirms the higher chances of admission but also it places a candidate above the candidates carrying the average SAT score. Candidates preparing for SAT can consider the 25th percentile SAT score as the minimum requirement for the most popular universities.
Many colleges in the U.S. have opted for standardized test scores as optional for applicants. Though this test-optional policy is temporary, many top colleges have decided to adopt it permanently. With a good SAT score, candidates can still boost their application for the above competition. SAT Test-optional school policies imply that applicants will not be judged on the absence of SAT test scores, but their presence will still be considered.
Candidates must be aware of the SAT new scoring scale released in 2016. SAT scores grade up to 1600 (previously 2400) due to the reading and writing sections having been combined into one. Hence, each section is 800 points. The only two sections are Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and Mathematics.
The SAT preparation needs to be compact in case you are targeting admission to universities like Harvard, MIT, or Princeton, and more. The SAT accepting colleges in USA for higher SAT scores. Here is the list of colleges accepting SAT scores in USA:
SAT score percentile demonstrates the candidate’s performance in comparison to others who took the exam. The table given below states SAT scores line up with which percentiles.
SAT Composite Score | SAT Percentile Score |
---|---|
1550-1600 | 99-99+% |
1500-1550 | 98-99% |
1450-1500 | 96-98% |
1400-1450 | 94-96% |
1350-1400 | 90-94% |
1300-1350 | 86-90% |
1250-1300 | 81-86% |
1200-1250 | 74-81% |
1150-1200 | 67-74% |
1100-1150 | 59-67% |
1050-1100 | 50-59% |
1000-1050 | 41-50% |
950-1000 | 33-41% |
900-950 | 25-33% |
850-900 | 18-25% |
800-850 | 11-18% |
750-800 | 6-11% |
700-750 | 3-6% |
650-700 | 1-3% |
600-650 or lower | 1% or lower |
Top colleges in the USA apart from SAT scores, checks a student's readiness for college with GPAs, high school transcripts, and extracurriculars. SAT scores for US universities are a great way for student evaluation. Some colleges are likely to take ACT scores for admission requirements. Here is a list of American universities without SAT scores:
There is no exact answer to a decent SAT score, as it varies between the school and courses. Candidates for top universiti4s in USA SAT scores can refer to the College Board prediction to know the normal score needed to be acknowledged at various colleges.
Section | Average Score for Acceptance |
---|---|
Composite Score (Without Essay) | Above 1400 |
Maths | Above 530 |
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section | Above 500 |
To get admission to one of the best universities in the world candidates should have at least a 1200 composite score on SAT.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.