Hey there, I just got my SAT scores and for one of the sections, I scored 700. I'm not sure how good this is considered. Can you help me understand if this is a competitive score to have, or should I aim higher and maybe retake the test? Any advice is appreciated!
5 months ago
A 700 on a single section of the SAT is a solid score, although it depends on your target schools and overall application. The SAT has two sections: Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW). Each section is scored on a scale of 200-800, making the highest possible total score 1600. A score of 700 in one section lands you in the 97th percentile for EBRW and around the 95th percentile for Math, which means you're outscoring a significant portion of test-takers.
As you research different colleges, note their middle 50% of accepted students' SAT scores, which can give an indication of whether your 700 is competitive for that particular institution. Keep in mind that top-tier schools have a median SAT score close to 1500, meaning that a 700 in one section would be considered below average in those cases.
If you're targeting highly selective schools, retaking the test might be helpful. Keep in mind that scores alone won't guarantee admission; other factors such as grades, course rigor, extracurricular activities, and essays also play a crucial role. For less selective schools, a 700 on a single section is more than adequate.
Strategies for improvement before retaking the test include identifying areas of weakness, focusing on the specific content, utilizing official practice tests, and even working through timed practice sessions.
When making the decision to retake, consider how much time and energy you want to invest in preparing, as that could be spent on other aspects of your application. If you feel confident that you can improve your score significantly and it will positively impact your application, then retaking the test might be worth it. However, if you're already scoring in a competitive range for your target schools, it may be beneficial to focus on other application components.
5 months ago
About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.
FAQs
A 700 on a single section of the SAT is a solid score, although it depends on your target schools and overall application. The SAT has two sections: Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW). Each section is scored on a scale of 200-800, making the highest possible total score 1600.
Is 700 a good score for SAT? ›
700 SAT Score Standings
Out of the 2.13 million test-takers, 2070569 scored the same or higher than you. You can apply to 4 colleges and have a good shot at getting admitted. You have a very low chance of getting into 1485 schools with this score.
What is a good SAT score for each section? ›
What's a Good SAT Score Compared to the Entire Country?
| SAT Score (Out of 800) | Math Percentile (2022) | Reading and Writing Percentile (2022) |
|---|
| 800 | 99 | 99+ |
| 750 | 95 | 98 |
| 700 | 91 | 93 |
| 650 | 85 | 85 |
8 more rowsWith scores ranging from 400 to 1600 and more than 1.7 million students nationwide taking the SAT each year, the average score range is between 1000-1100. A score of 800 falls significantly below that national average and is about the 8th percentile of all test takers, which means that 92% received a higher score.
How many wrong is 700 on SAT Math? ›
Math: 700 (miss at most around 11 questions) Reading: 25 (miss at most around 29 questions) Writing: 25 (miss at most around 23 questions)
Is a 750 bad on SAT? ›
A 750 SAT score is well below the average for most colleges, as the highest possible score is 1600, and the average SAT score across the nation is around 1050-1060. Keep in mind that each section (Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing) is scored out of 800, so your 750 seems to be a combined score.
Is 600 a bad SAT score? ›
Your SAT score, which ranges from 400-1600, is the sum of your two section scores: Math and Reading and Writing. Each section uses a scale of 200-800 in 10-point increments. A good score on Math or Reading and Writing, then, would be around 600.
What was Will Smith's SAT score? ›
Will Smith SAT score was a perfect 1600. A rare score few people have earned. Despite this incredible score, Will chose not to attend college, did not even enroll, and decided to pursue his career in music. Curious about Will Smith's SAT score?
What celebrities got a 1600 on the SAT? ›
A Breakdown of Celebrity SAT Scores
| Celebrity | Known For | Score |
|---|
| Paul Allen | Microsoft Co-Founder | 1600 |
| Mark Zuckerberg | Facebook Founder | 1600 |
| Will Smith | Actor | Allegedly near-perfect |
| Ben Affleck | Actor | Allegedly near-perfect |
11 more rowsJun 5, 2024
A 1600 is only achieved by around 300 test takers per year and makes you eligible and highly competitive for admission at every college. Looking at this from another angle, a 1600 SAT score is in the 99nth percentile, which means you scored higher than 99% of all other 2 million+ test takers.
A score of 1000 on the SAT places you at the 40th percentile of all exam takers. With a score of 1000, you'll be eligible to apply to a decent number of colleges, however, it won't make you a competitive applicant at most of them.
Is 1200 SAT bad? ›
A 1200 is an above average score that places you in approximately the 74th percentile of all high school students taking the exam. A score of 1200 makes it possible to apply to the vast majority of schools throughout the nation and be competitive for admission at a sizable number of colleges.
Is 900 a bad SAT score? ›
The SAT tests proficiency in mathematics, reading, and writing with a scoring scale of 400 to 1600, with 1600 being the highest available score. With the average composite score of 2.2 million test takers each year clocking in between 1050 and 1100, a 900 falls shy of that national average.
Is 700 a low SAT score? ›
A 700 SAT score may not necessarily be too low, but it depends on the schools you're targeting and how competitive the applicant pool is at those institutions.
Is a 720 on the SAT bad? ›
The 720 SAT is in the 3rd percentile. This means just shy of 2,050,000 of the 2.13 million test takers scored the same or higher than you. On the flip side, that means you outperformed more than 1.8 million test takers. With those impressive-sounding numbers, you might wonder why a 720 SAT score is considered weak.
What is the lowest SAT score Harvard has accepted? ›
There's no absolute SAT requirement at Harvard, but they really want to see at least a 1460 to have a chance at being considered. Exclusive: Want to learn how to improve your SAT score by 160 points? Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score.
Is 720 a low SAT score? ›
The SAT is scored on a range of 400-1600, and the average score is roughly around 1060. In general, anything below 1060 can be considered on the lower side of the spectrum.
Is 780 a passing SAT score? ›
A 780 SAT score is indeed below what is typically considered competitive for most college admissions, especially for more selective schools. To clarify, the highest possible SAT composite score is 1600, with a 780 being a bit below average.
Is 500 a good SAT score? ›
A decent SAT score is around an average score, which is 500 per section or 1000-1200 total. Below is our chart for school's that should accept a decent SAT score. You'll notice a number of regional and state universities that aren't the most difficult to get into. However, they're still nationally recognized.
Is 1000 a good SAT score? ›
A 1000 SAT score is generally considered to be below average, as it falls below the 50th percentile of all test-takers. While it might be acceptable for some colleges and universities, it may not be competitive for more selective institutions.
