High SAT Scores

 Note that the test blind schools mainly the UCs and Caltech aren’t going to look at your SAT scores at all. For most people SAT scores can be a metric that can help get you into college even if they aren’t required. A 1600 is a perfect SAT score. The lowest SAT score you can get is a 400. Each section of the SAT is scored on a range from 200-800.

Scores for the SAT | High SAT scores

Scores for the SAT, long a ubiquitous part of the college admissions process, are expected to decline for this year’s high school graduates. The College Board, which administers the test, expects that scores will fall by 10 points. The exact amount depends on which area of math or reading students took and how well they did on each exam section. Previously administered tests have shown that scores cansat decrease by 60 points or more when students take a test after having been vaccinated against viral disease.

The drop in SAT scores

The SAT is a standardized test that measures students’ critical reading, writing, and math skills. Starting in 2023 for international students and in 2024 in the U.S, the SAT will be in a digtal formt.

The new format has drawn criticism from teachers, who say it’s harder to monitor cheating and give students extra help because teachers cannot see what is happening in their homes.

In addition to these issues, some say these changes will contribute to lower scores for all students as well as for African American, Hispanic, and poor white students who historically score lower on average than other groups of people on similar tests like the ACT or Advanced Placement exams (AP).

Challenges faced during the test

The College Board said its analysis showed that about 15% of test-takers experienced issues with poor internet connectivity or problems with getting into the secure testing environment on time during the administration period this spring.

The most common issue was a slow internet connection, which prevented students from taking practice tests in their homes and caused some to be shut out of their online registration.

The company said it had made changes to address these concerns, including allowing students more time to complete registration.

Scores on widely taken standardized tests | High SAT scores

“Standardized tests are used to measure aptitude, which is the ability to learn.

They’re also used to determine college admission and, in some cases, college readiness. The SAT is one of the most widely taken standardized tests; it’s taken by millions of students each year who hope to attend a selective college or university.”

• See if you can answer these questions:
• In what ways do you think that taking a standardized test differs from taking an open-ended test?
• Why might students prefer taking an open-ended test over a standardized one?

Is a 1200 a good SAT score?

1200 is a good score for average colleges, but if you are applying for top 20 schools you should have a score of at least a 1500. If you have a 1200 you would be in the ball park for some of the below schools:

 

What is considered a high SAT score?

For the class of 2020 the average SAT score was a 1051. If you are applying for a top tier college (like a top 20 college), then it is expected to have an SAT score of at least 1500.

Conclusion

It’s interesting to see how standardized tests can be influenced by factors that we don’t necessarily expect. This is not the first time we have seen something like this happen, and it probably won’t be the last. It’s good to know that testing companies are paying attention to these changes. What is considered a high SAT score varies by what colleges you want to apply to.

Other resources

My post on SAT reading tips.

My post on SAT math tips.

My post on how to get a perfect score on the SAT.

My post on Ivy League SAT scores.

My post on what year do you take SATs.