What’s an Acceptable SAT Score?

Students often ask, “What’s an acceptable SAT score?”  The answer is, “It varies greatly, depending on your aspirations, other accomplishments, and competition from your peers.”

 

The average SAT score for the class of 2021 was 1060, according to College Board, which administers the exam.  That was an increase of nine points from the previous year.  The challenge is that the average SAT score for schools most popular with local students is often hundreds of points higher.

 

Most colleges post their “middle 50” range of scores: between the 25^th and 75^th percentile for their last accepted class. According to the 2022 Best Colleges guide by U.S. News & World Report, the mid-range for Princeton University was 1450 to 1570.  University of Pennsylvania posted 1460 to 1570, Georgetown 1380-1550, NYU 1370 to 1540, Boston University 1310 to 1500, and Villanova 1320 to 1460.

 

Accepted students at the lower end of the range likely had other qualifications, such as being a legacy student (with an alumni parent), an athlete (being recruited by a coach), or a first-generation student to be seeking a college education.

Another key factor affecting students’ likelihood of gaining admittance to a competitive college is the competency of their peer group. Students who attend a high school that does not offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses are not going to be expected to have completed any.  But expectations are much higher of students who have the opportunity to engage in an extremely competitive curriculum. Montgomery High School, for example, offers 20 AP courses and 30 Honors and accelerated courses, according to its website.  Bridgewater-Raritan High School offers 28 AP courses, according to niche.com.

 

Students from these schools, and others with a competitive curriculum, are going to be judged by a higher standard.  Their applications will be considered in comparison to their peers in relation to SAT scores, rigor of their courses, scores they earn on AP exams, and their extracurricular involvement.  So, the bar can be set higher – or lower – depending on one’s academic environment.  

 

To get back to the question of an acceptable SAT score, at many high schools in Central New Jersey the SAT scores are substantially higher than both the state and national average.  The average SAT score at Princeton High School is 1334, Montgomery High School is 1327, Bridgewater-Raritan High School is 1258, and Hillsborough High School is 1249.  Since college admissions officers compare students to peers from their specific high school, many feel the pressure to excel. 

 

Susan Alaimo is the founder and director of Collegebound Review that, for the past 25 years, has offered PSAT/SAT® preparation and private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362