SAT Cutoff 2023 - Minimum SAT Score Requirement, Universities Specific Cutoff

SAT Cutoff 2023 - What is a Good SAT Score?

Determining the answer to what a good SAT score is more complicated than it seems. This is because each university determines the minimum SAT score that applicants must meet in order to enrol in their desired programme. To assist test takers, the College Board releases a prediction of the average scores accepted each year at different universities that accept the test score.

While the table above gives a superficial understanding of the scores in each section that are considered good scores, the SAT cutoff, which is determined individually by each university, will classify different scores as good.

According to trends, test takers with an SAT Composite score of 1400 and above are recognised among the top 5% of all test takers that year. Admissions to some of the best and highly selective universities in the USA would require candidates to have scored a 1200 composite SAT score. For the Ivy League universities in the USA like Harvard, Yale, MIT and others, applicants must have scored 1500 or higher with a 680 in mathematics and 600 in the reading and writing sections.

Candidates must note a good SAT score does not guarantee admission to a university. They must have a good academic background and meet the course-specific requirements of the university to be considered for admission.

SAT Cutoff of US Universities Accepting Score for 2023 Admissions

Refer to the following table to know the SAT cutoff of US Universities/ Colleges accepting scores for 2023 admissions:

List of Universities that Don't Require SAT Scores in 2023

In wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of US universities and colleges have either gone test-optional, test-flexible or test-blind. Test-optional colleges are those that accept but don't require SAT scores, while test-flexible colleges let applicants provide scores of other tests such as AP scores, IB grades or other standardised/placement tests. Lastly, test-blind colleges are those that do not consider SAT scores even if they are submitted.

Here is a list of some of the popular US universities and colleges that no longer require SAT scores for international admissions in 2023-24:

Is SAT Score Necessary for College Admissions Abroad?

SAT scores are some of the more widely accepted scores for undergraduate studies in the USA. However, apart from US universities, some universities in Canada, Australia and New Zealand also accept SAT scores for undergraduate studies. Nevertheless, candidates planning to study bachelor’s in the USA should apply for SATs to stand a better chance at enrolling in some of the best universities in the world.

Along with the GPA, co-curricular activities, community and professional achievements, SOPs and LORs, the SAT score often helps improve a candidate’s chances at enrolment. As the number of international students applying to universities in the USA increases with every passing year, so does the competition. In other words, the SAT cutoffs for top US universities in is bound to change significantly every year.

On this page, you will be able to find the top US universities and the different SAT cutoffs that are often seen each academic year.

Steps to Set Your Target SAT Cut Off

Before starting to prepare for the SAT exam, it is necessary to know your target SAT cut-off. All the universities have different cut-offs and you must work according to the cut-off set by your university. The ways to determine the target SAT cut-off are:

• Make a List of Cut-offs: Check the websites of the universities to which you wish to apply. List down the cut-offs for the given year. 

• Look for the Cut-off of the 25th and 75th Percentiles: It is necessary to know the cut-offs of the 25th and 75th percentiles. If the cutoff of the 25th percentile is 1100, it shows that 25% have got below that score whereas if the cutoff of the 75th percentile is 1500, you must know 75% have got above 1500.

• Scan the List: Finally, it is your turn to scan the list properly and set your target score. You should choose the highest cut-off score among the universities you have chosen and start your preparation accordingly.