SAT Questions and Answers by Advantage Testing

The SAT is designed to evaluate a student’s college readiness by determining how well the student has mastered the core concepts of a high school curriculum. The SAT is an important component of applying to most U.S.-based colleges and universities. Some colleges now have Test Optional or Test Blind admissions policies, meaning they do not require SAT or ACT scores to apply. Admissions testing policies are frequently updated, so be sure to verify specific testing requirements on a school’s official website, and make sure the information you’re looking at is current. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for online, you can always call or email the school’s admissions office.

You can take the ACT instead of the SAT, as schools have no preference between these tests. Many students also submit AP Exam scores with their applications. While generally not required, AP Exams can show achievement over a range of academic subject areas in Math, Science, Languages, and the Humanities.

We have found that one-on-one tutoring is the best way to prepare for the SAT. An excellent tutor will be able to determine your individual strengths and weaknesses and tailor a preparation plan that will guide and motivate you to achieve your best score. However, depending on your goals, there are many ways to prepare for the SAT. For example, you can also take an SAT class or prepare on your own. If you are studying on your own, Khan Academy provides an excellent resource for online instruction.

When preparing for the test, make sure to study the underlying concepts on all of the sections of the test (not just the sections that you like best) and then practice what you have learned by taking timed, full-length practice tests. Taking practice tests is a key element to any preparation plan because you need to be able to complete the test within the allowed time limit. Practice tests will also help you grow familiar with the logistics of the official test and develop the stamina necessary to maintain your focus throughout a full test.

We recommend that students begin studying for the SAT in the middle of their sophomore years. This will give you plenty of time to learn all of the underlying math, reading, and grammar concepts and allow ample opportunity to practice applying them on timed practice tests. Most students who follow this timeline are prepared to take their first official test in the spring of their junior year, leaving plenty of time to retake the test the following summer and fall. See our college admissions timeline for more information to help you plan your test preparation schedule.

Generally speaking, studying for the SAT takes much longer than one month (we recommend studying for the SAT for more than a year). If you have only one month to prepare, focus on taking timed, full-length practice tests. Review concepts on the questions that you miss. By taking full-length tests, you will become familiar with the test and develop the stamina needed to maintain your focus throughout the entire test. Reviewing the concepts on questions that you miss will help you pinpoint areas in which you need additional practice.

Yes, scores often improve when students retake the SAT. Students are generally more comfortable with the test after they have taken it for the first time and have had more time to study and apply the concepts tested. If, however, your initial score is well above the 75th percentile of students admitted to your top-choice schools, then you most likely do not need to take the SAT again.

Most students benefit from retaking the SAT at least once, especially with additional preparation. We have found that students who retake the SAT are more comfortable after their initial test date and perform better on subsequent tests. Moreover, many schools allow students to submit only their best test scores through the Score Choice program. Some schools will also “superscore,” counting only the best Math and the best Evidence-Based Reading and Writing scores across multiple official test administrations.

However, if you have reached your goal on your first test, you should not feel obligated to take the test again. Don’t take the test for the first time until you feel comfortable with the content (students often choose the spring of their junior year) and then retake the test a few times if needed (students often do this in the summer following junior year and the fall of senior year).

SAT scores often play an important role in college admissions decisions. The SAT is designed to test your readiness for college-level work, and all colleges want to enroll students who will be able to succeed there. However, keep in mind that SAT scores are only one part of your application. Typically, colleges also evaluate your high school transcript and GPA, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and application essays. SAT scores provide a common measure for colleges to compare students.

At most colleges in the U.S., both your GPA and your SAT score are important for college admissions. Your GPA reflects how you have performed in your high school coursework; your SAT score demonstrates how you have performed on a standardized test intended to measure core academic skills. Note that many universities have Test Optional policies and no longer require test scores.

Remember that your college application also includes application essays, letters of recommendation, and your extracurricular activities. While each component of your college application is important, you will be evaluated across multiple dimensions.

The maximum score on the SAT is 1600. You will receive two main scores, each on a scale from 200 to 800, in two separate categories: (1) Math and (2) Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (commonly known as “Verbal”).

You will also receive two Cross-Test Scores, scaled from 10–40, in Analysis in Science and Analysis in History/Social Studies. Additionally, the SAT records seven “Subscores,” scaled from 1–15, in the following topics: Words in Context, Command of Evidence, Expression of Ideas, Standard English Conventions, Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, and Passport to Advanced Math. These subscores may offer some insight into determining your areas of relative strength and weakness, but they are rarely considered independently in college admissions.

From a nationally representative sample, the 50th-percentile SAT total score is 1050, the 50th-percentile Math score is 520, and the 50th-percentile Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score is 530.

For students who graduated in 2021, the mean SAT score was 1088, the mean Math score was 538, and the mean Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score was 541.

Each year, median and mean SAT scores change slightly, but every year, what defines a “good” SAT score depends on your goals. First, keep in mind that everyone starts their SAT preparation at a different point, and your goal score should be one that you can achieve with hard work and sustained study. Second, SAT scores vary greatly among colleges and universities, so ideally your goal score is within the range of the schools to which you are hoping to apply. For example, if your score is above the 75th percentile of students enrolled at your top-choice college, you can feel confident that you have a “good” score.

The two primary SAT components are (1) Math and (2) Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (commonly known as “Verbal”). Each of these is scored on a scale from 200 to 800, for a total SAT score ranging from 400 to 1600. For students who graduated in 2021, the mean Math score was 538, the mean Verbal score was 541, and the mean SAT total score was 1088.

Many colleges with competitive admissions have average scores that are much higher than these national averages. Check the websites for the schools to which you plan to apply to find the mean and 75th percentile SAT scores of enrolled students.

Note that prior to 2016, the SAT provided three main scores scaled from 200 to 800, for a total score from 600 to 2400, so obviously, a total score from this period will be much higher than a total score from today’s test! The upcoming Digital SAT will have a Math Section and a Reading and Writing Section, each scaled from 200 to 800.

In January 2021, the College Board announced that the SAT would no longer include an essay after the June 2021 test administration. The optional SAT Essay was not previously calculated in your main SAT scores. Most colleges and universities did not require the SAT Essay for admission. The Digital SAT will not include an essay.

Based on a nationally representative sample, a 1400 is at the 97th percentile. Thus, for most students, a 1400 is a very good score. SAT scores, however, should always be assessed within the context of the individual student’s goals. For example, a 1400 is below the average score of students enrolled at some highly selective universities. The best general advice for all students is to make sure your goal score is within your reach and within the range of the institutions to which you are planning to apply.

Most U.S.-based colleges and universities require the SAT or ACT for admission and will look at your test scores when deciding whether to admit you. SAT scores allow colleges to form a basis of comparison for applicants from different high schools. However, your test scores are only one part of your college application. Colleges and universities also consider your GPA and the rigor of the classes that you took in high school, your application essays, your letters of recommendation, and your extracurricular activities.