Parents of high school students often feel overwhelmed and bewildered by all the information about the standardized exams students must take in preparation for college. At Academics Plus Tutoring Center, we are often asked questions such as: When should my child take the SAT? What does the SAT measure? What are the SAT subject tests? How many SAT subject tests must my child take? Which SAT subject tests should my child take?
We figured the questions our students ask are most likely the same questions our readers have, so over the next few weeks we will post the most frequently asked questions and our responses. Feel free to post your own questions in our comment box, and we will do our best to answer your question as well.
How important is the SAT score in the college application process?
The SAT score is one aspect colleges will look at when considering your child’s application. It can be an important aspect depending on the school and what other strengths and talents your child is bringing to the table. Keep in mind that a college admissions dean’s job is to accept individuals they believe will positively contribute to the student body – grades will be considered, extracurricular activities will be considered, the college essay, the interview, interests, hobbies and the SAT score will all be considered. We think the best way to view the SAT is that it is one component of the college application package; while students should certainly try to do their very best on the exam, they should keep in mind that universities will be looking at a variety of other factors as well.
Now, that being said, the score can play a significant role. So we’d like to give a brief overview of the exam and what the scores mean. Each of the 3 sections of the SAT—the Math, the Critical Reading, and the Writing—are scored separately, and the scores range from 200 to 800 per section, with the national average being approximately 500. However, to be competitive for many universities in the States, scores must be higher to significantly higher. As a rule of thumb, if students are applying to Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton), their SAT scores should be in the 700 point range in each section. For most students, this means that they will have to do a considerable amount of prep. We will discuss that in detail in a further post.
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