SAT

SAT testing scores are very important to colleges. SAT scores play a role in the admissions process at 80 percent of the nation's colleges and universities. SAT test scores are also considered when choosing students for scholarships. Please check with specific colleges to understand when SAT scores need to be received to meet application deadlines, and plan your SAT test dates accordingly.

What Is A Good SAT Score?

SAT scores range from 200 to 800 points in each of the verbal and Math areas of the SAT, or a total score of up to 1600 points. A good SAT score would be above 1100 points, and are usually attained with the help of some SAT prep, including perhaps a free SAT practice test. You can find information on free SAT prep courses, free SAT preparation tests, and other SAT preparation programs at the SAT registration, but its obvious you should seek that out beforehand.

Average SAT scores changed suddenly in other years, including a 16-point decrease in 1975 and jumps of seven points in 1995 and six points in 2003. Officials noted that SAT scores are nearly always higher in more affluent areas, and that participation rates can affect scores. No one has suggested that the declines are related to a scoring fiasco this year in which thousands of SAT scores were underreported.

Receiving And Sending Scores From Your SAT Tests

Typically, SAT scores are available on the Internet approximately three weeks after the exam, and are sent home by mail a month after the SAT testing date. You may also get your SAT scores with Scores by Phone. While you'll still receive your SAT score report in the mail, the SAT online score report contains additional features to help you understand your SAT scores.

You cannot send only your latest or highest SAT scores, or separate scores for critical reading, mathematics, or writing sections, or only SAT, or only Subject Test scores. In general, the College Board believes that your SAT score in each section will be within 30-40 points of your actual ability in that area; for this reason, your SAT scores are placed within a range indicating your probable ability level.

Most studies find that the correlation between SAT scores and first-year college grades is not overwhelming, and that only 10 percent to 20 percent of the variation in first-year GPA is explained by SAT scores.