Universities Accepting SAT Scores of 900 to 1000 (2024)

FAQs

Will colleges accept a 900 SAT score? ›

A 900 means you can apply to a bit more than a handful of schools, but the vast majority of colleges will want to see a higher score.

A 1000 makes you an okay candidate at a handful of schools, but falls just short of that national average score that increases your eligibility.

There is no minimum SAT scores to apply to colleges. Colleges do not set cut-off or minimum scores you need to have in order to apply. Colleges do expect a certain score level from applicants, though, depending on their selectivity – the most selective colleges can expect an SAT score in the 1500s.

On three out of eight Reading portions, you could get one wrong and still get 800, but you can't rely on having that opportunity. On seven out of eight Writing sections, you cannot get any questions wrong if you want an 800.

The scoring scale runs from 400 to 1600, with the average test taker receiving a composite result between 1050 and 1100. A 950 falls in the 31st percentile, short of what most colleges and universities would like to see on applications for admission.

A 980 SAT score is considered below average, as the national average SAT score is around 1060. However, it's important not to view it as "really bad," but rather as an opportunity to improve and grow.

For example, if your SAT score is in the 55th percentile, you outperformed 55% of all students who took the test. Those who receive a score of 900 or less are considered below average. Similarly, a 1000 SAT score places you in the 39th percentile, which means you outperformed 39 percent of all SAT test-takers.

The average SAT score is a 1040, so a 1200 is above average. A 1200 SAT score is between the 71st and 80th percentile of test takers, meaning that you scored above 71-80% of other students. A score of 1200 opens a wide range of college options, assuming you have comparable grades (mostly A's and B's).

As you probably already now, a perfect score would be 1600. The average score sits at right around 1050. This means that anything below 1050 is considered below average, and composite scores of 870 or lower are in the bottom 25%.

While GPA is gaining more importance in college admissions decisions, as some schools deemphasize test scores, that doesn't mean you should neglect standardized testing. While the SAT and ACT aren't the best indicator of your success in college, they generally remain an important part of the admission process.

Is 990 a good SAT score? ›

A 990 SAT score may be competitive for some colleges, but it may not be a strong score for more selective schools. It's important to consider the median SAT scores of the colleges you're interested in applying to.

The current average SAT score is around 1060, so your score of 900 falls below this benchmark. This might make it more challenging for you to gain admission to schools with higher selectivity or more competitive programs.

Balancing your SAT score

For instance, you need at least 55 out of 58 questions correct in the Maths section, 41 out of 44 in the Writing & Language section, and 48 out of 52 in the Reading section to score a 1500+ on your SAT.

Is An 850 SAT Score (15th Percentile) Good? A score of 850 ranks approximately in the 15th percentile of test takers nationwide. Upwards of 2 million students take the SAT every year and the average student earns between a 1000 and 1100 every year. The SAT is designed for the average score to be about the 1000 mark.

With the national average SAT score always hovering near 1000 (purposefully), 800 falls short of that average and leaves few college options.

A 990 SAT score is indeed on the lower end of the spectrum, but that doesn't mean you can't find colleges that are a good fit for you. You'll likely want to look for schools with less competitive admissions, regional institutions, and community colleges.

The scoring scale begins at 400 and the top score is 1600, with the average result among the upwards of 3 million students who take the exam every year clocking in between 1000-1100. A score of 850 falls below the national average and indicates that a large number of questions were answered incorrectly.

A 910 SAT score is considered below average when it comes to college admissions, particularly for more selective institutions. Generally, a score of 1050-1100 is considered an average SAT score, and higher scores are required for more competitive colleges.