What is a Good SAT Score & How is it Calculated?

What is a Good SAT Score and How is it Calculated: For many study abroad aspirants, especially those aspiring to study in the US, have heard of the SAT or the Scholastic Aptitude Test. This test is renowned worldwide and is also accepted by a few colleges outside of the US. However, for those planning to study in the US, attempting the SAT test can make their undergraduate admission a little simpler.

The College Board, the conducting body of the SAT, releases the SAT score within one or two weeks of conducting the SAT test, successfully on a defined SAT test date. Once the SAT test score is released, the next important step is to send the SAT score to the selected or desired college/university to study abroad. The score is either sent directly from the SAT test centre to the institutions selected at the time of SAT registration within 10 days of the release of the SAT result or students can choose to directly send the SAT score to desired colleges/ universities.

Sending the SAT scores to institutions is not a difficult process. Students taking the SAT test must focus more on scoring the maximum marks in SAT rather than stressing on how to send the SAT score to colleges after taking the test. A good SAT score is a gateway to admission to the top colleges in countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, etc.

Students taking the SAT exam can check how the SAT is scored and what is a good SAT score to get admission to a good college/university abroad. But before that, let us get to know what is the use of the SAT score and what exactly is the structure of the exam.

What is SAT?

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a standardized international-level entrance exam that is conducted by the College Board for admissions purposes at different colleges and universities in countries like the United States, Australia, the UK, New Zealand etc. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers the SATs on behalf of the College Board. An SAT score is accepted by universities to understand the intellectual abilities of students and their readiness to enter a college after high school. Besides, SAT scores are also used to grant scholarships to students.

Find out more about the SAT Test Structure and how the SAT is scored for different sections.

Structure of SAT 2022

Check the exam pattern of SAT to have an idea of how each section is divided and how it is scored:

Understanding SAT Score

SAT is scored in a range of 400-1600. Further, the SAT Score is categorised into four different parts for a better evaluation of the student’s performance on the test. A SAT score report is detailed and is released in the following format:

How is the SAT Score Calculated?

Figure out how an SAT Score is calculated and how the performance of the candidate in the test is evaluated:

Total Score (400-1600)

It is the total of marks obtained in the two sections of the SAT.

Section Scores (200-800)

It is the individual scores in each of the two sections of the SAT i.e  Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math. For both sections, a separate score is defined in a score range of 200- 800.

Test Scores (10-40) 

It is useful for the participating organisation to analyse the level of understanding of the candidate in three areas i.e reading, writing and language and Maths. Three separate scores are defined under this category in a score range of 10-40.

Cross-Test Scores (10-40) 

Two scores are defined in this part. One is based on Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science and the other is based on the selection of questions in Reading, Writing and Language and Maths.

Subscores (1–15)

A total of 7 scores are defined under subscores based on the following points:

• Reading and Writing and Language: command of evidence and words in context

• Writing and Language: expression of ideas and standard English conventions

• Mathematics topics: the heart of algebra, problem-solving, data analysis and advanced Math. 

Note: The essay section was scored in a range of 2- 8. But, SAT essay (option) has been scrapped along with the subject test.

What is a Good SAT Score?

Different universities/colleges set their own SAT Score requirements for admissions in a specific area. While a good SAT score is needed to get admission to the desired college abroad, SAT score is not the only determining factor for admission. Various other factors like Academic background, Letter of Recommendation, extracurricular activities, motivation etc. are some of the other factors that are taken into consideration. However, a minimum 1200 composite score in SAT is considered a good score for undergraduate admissions in the leading universities worldwide.

Also, students who score well in SAT are eligible to receive scholarships. The scholarships are either funded by the government or by institutions to provide quality education to talented and motivated students.

In India, a student who scored more than 1350 on SAT will be considered for one of the SAT India Top Performers Scholarships.

A student must consider the following points when He/She refers to a good SAT Score:

• Confirm the SAT Requirement of the Specific College: Before taking the SAT, candidates must check the minimum SAT score requirement at the desired college and try to score at least the minimum SAT score for admissions.

• Understand the Need for a Good SAT Score: Good SAT score is not only needed for acceptance of admission in colleges but can also help a student get a scholarship and meet the financial requirements.

• Score Maximum Marks in SAT: Instead of focusing on scoring the minimum marks required for admissions at a particular college, candidates should try to score the maximum marks in SAT. It not only increases the chances of a candidate getting enrolled in a top college but also makes him/her eligible to apply for scholarships.

Average SAT Score 

The average SAT score is defined based on the total group of people taking the test, gender, ethnicity, fee waiver used, university/institution type and state. /city in which the university is located.

The average SAT scores as per the College Board's 2019 Report for the different categories are as follows:

What is SAT Percentile Ranking?

To figure out what is a good SAT score, one must understand the various aspects of SAT test scoring. The total SAT score (1600) and section-wise SAT score (800) correspond to an SAT percentile. Let us now understand what an SAT percentile is with the help of an example.

Suppose, the SAT percentile of a student is 80. It means that the student has a score better than 80% of the total SAT test-takers. Check the SAT score chart with the corresponding SAT percentile for 2019:

Check out the SAT percentile corresponding to SAT Composite Score for the top US Colleges as per the data from 2020:

Average SAT Score for Top US Universities 

There are hundreds of universities/institutions/colleges worldwide accepting SAT scorecards for the admission of students. The SAT requirement is mostly defined by a specific department of an institution in the eligibility criteria for admissions to a particular course.

In 2021, some universities in the United States decided to drop the SAT requirement for admission as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. But most colleges abroad are accepting SAT scores as it is considered an important test to determine the readiness of students to enter a college and also to ensure an unbiased admission process.

Here is the list of colleges accepting SAT scorecards along with the SAT average score acceptable for undergraduate admission based on previous years’ data:

Colleges Accepting SAT Score

Here is the list of other colleges in some of the most popular study abroad destinations, that are accepting SAT scores:

You should be aware that a high SAT score does not guarantee admission to any of the best universities abroad because your admission is determined by factors other than grades and test results. However, excellent test scores might lead to merit scholarships at some colleges. Some universities and colleges around the world give merit scholarships based on high school GPA and admission exam scores in order to attract only academically talented candidates. Please see this list for more details. Students who score 1350 or higher on the SAT India will be recognized as SAT India Top Performers.

In case you have further queries about study abroad entrance exams or the admission process, write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com and seek help from our expert study abroad counsellors!