do colleges see your sat essay score

Understanding your SAT Scores

College Board

May 20, 2024

If you’re trying to interpret your SAT scores, we’re here to help.

If you took the SAT on the weekend, you already have a College Board account. Go to Student Score Reports and sign in with the username and password associated with your College Board account.

Watch the video below to understand your score report if you took the SAT on a weekend.

The first thing you’ll see is your total score, which is a combination of your scores on the Reading and Writing and Math sections.

Next, you can understand your Total and Section scores in context by seeing how your scores compare to the average scores of other test takers. Depending on where you live, this might include other students in your school, district, state, country, or other students worldwide that took the SAT.

Percentile comparisons help you to understand the percentage of students scoring the same as, or lower than, you in these groups. For example, 57th percentile means that your score was the same as, or higher than, 57% of the other students in the comparison group.

In the Knowledge and Skills section, learn more about your strengths and areas you can focus on improving. This section shows your performance in the four Reading and Writing and four Math content areas and what percentage of the section each content area represents. The performance score band comes from our Skills Insight Tool , where you can view skills students at your level are typically able to demonstrate and sample questions that are typically answered correctly. If you want to improve your score, you can view skills and example questions in the next score band, with answer explanations included.

Now that you know how you did and what skills you need to work on, you can take your skills to the next level using free Official Digital SAT Prep on Khan Academy ® to improve your score. You can also register to take the SAT again so you can reach your target score .

This is also a great time to start thinking about what comes next after high school—and your score report can help. The score report features “Career Insight Examples,” a list of careers that are growing in your state and connect to your score. Whether you’re curious about any of the career examples or not, the information can help you consider different paths for after high school. To find careers that reflect your interests, take the free BigFuture Career Quiz . While you’re there, you can also explore colleges, careers, and scholarships to plan your future after high school.

If you have any questions about your SAT scores, visit our website .

If you took the SAT in school on a school day, there are two ways to get your score report.

If you provided a cell phone number when you took the SAT, you can download the BigFuture School mobile app and you’ll get a text message when your scores are available to view.
You can also get a PDF of your score report from your school.

As always, you can view your scores online if you have a personal College Board account.

Watch the video below to understand your score report if you took the SAT in school on a school day.

New career insights section on the digital sat suite score report, what is the average sat score, when do sat scores come out, what's a good sat score.

SAT Essay Scores Explained

On january 19th, 2021, college board announced that they will no longer administer the sat subject tests in the u.s. and that the essay would be retired. read our blog post to understand what this means in the near term and what the college board has in store for students down the road., our articles on subject tests and the sat essay will remain on our site for reference purposes as colleges and students transition to a revised testing landscape..

Why are there no percentiles for the essay on an SAT score report?

No percentiles or norms are provided in student reports. Even colleges do not receive any summary statistics. Given Compass’ concerns about the inaccuracy of essay scoring and the notable failures of the ACT on that front, the de-emphasis of norms would seem to be a good thing. The problem is that 10% of colleges are sticking with the SAT Essay as an admission requirement . While those colleges will not receive score distribution reports from the College Board, it is not difficult for them to construct their own statistics—officially or unofficially—based on thousands of applicants. Colleges can determine a “good score,” but students cannot. This asymmetry of information is harmful to students, as they are left to speculate how well they have performed and how their scores will be interpreted. Through our analysis, Compass hopes to provide students and parents more context for evaluating SAT Essay scores.

How has scoring changed? Is it still part of a student’s Total Score?

On the old SAT, the essay was a required component of the Writing section and made up approximately one-third of a student’s 200–800 score. The essay score itself was simply the sum (2–12) of two readers’ 1–6 scores. Readers were expected to grade holistically and not to focus on individual components of the writing. The SAT essay came under a great deal of criticism for being too loosely structured. Factual accuracy was not required; it was not that difficult to make pre-fabricated material fit the prompt; many colleges found the 2–12 essay scores of little use; and the conflation of the essay and “Writing” was, in some cases, blocking the use of the SAT Writing score—which included grammar and usage—entirely.

With the 2016 overhaul of the SAT came an attempt to make the essay more academically defensible while also making it optional (as the ACT essay had long been). The essay score is not a part of the 400–1600 score. Instead, a student opting to take the SAT Essay receives 2–8 scores in three dimensions: reading, analysis, and writing. No equating or fancy lookup table is involved. The scores are simply the sum of two readers’ 1–4 ratings in each dimension. There is no official totaling or averaging of scores, although colleges may choose to do so.

Readers avoid extremes

What is almost universally true about grading of standardized test essays is that readers gravitate to the middle of the scale. The default instinct is to nudge a score above or below a perceived cutoff or midpoint rather than to evenly distribute scores. When the only options are 1, 2, 3, or 4, the consequence is predictable—readers give out a lot of 2s and 3s and very few 1s and 4s. In fact, our analysis shows that 80% of all reader scores are 2s or 3s. This, in turn, means that most of the dimension scores (the sum of the two readers) range from 4 to 6. Analysis scores are outliers. A third of readers give essays a 1 in Analysis. Below is the distribution of reader scores across all dimensions.

What is a good SAT Essay score?

By combining multiple data sources—including extensive College Board scoring information—Compass has estimated the mean and mode (most common) essay scores for students at various score levels. We also found that the reading and writing dimensions were similar, while analysis scores lagged by a point across all sub-groups. These figures should not be viewed as cutoffs for “good” scores. The loose correlation of essay score to Total Score and the high standard deviation of essay scores means that students at all levels see wide variation of scores. The average essay-taking student scores a 1,080 on the SAT and receives just under a 5/4/5.

College Board recently released essay results for the class of 2017, so score distributions are now available. From these, percentiles can also be calculated. We provide these figures with mixed feelings. On the one hand, percentile scores on such an imperfect measure can be highly misleading. On the other hand, we feel that students should understand the full workings of essay scores.

The role of luck

What is frustrating to many students on the SAT and ACT is that they can score 98th percentile in most areas and then get a “middling” score on the essay. This result is actually quite predictable. Whereas math and verbal scores are the result of dozens of objective questions, the essay is a single question graded subjectively. To replace statistical concepts with a colloquial one—far more “luck” is involved than on the multiple-choice sections. What text is used in the essay stimulus? How well will the student respond to the style and subject matter? Which of the hundreds of readers were assigned to grade the student’s essay? What other essays has the reader recently scored?

Even good writers run into the unpredictability involved and the fact that essay readers give so few high scores. A 5 means that the Readers A and B gave the essay a 2 and a 3, respectively. Which reader was “right?” If the essay had encountered two readers like Reader A, it would have received a 4. If the essay had been given two readers like Reader B, it would have received a 6. That swing makes a large difference if we judge scores exclusively by percentiles, but essay scores are simply too blurry to make such cut-and-dry distinctions. More than 80% of students receive one of three scores—4, 5, or 6 on the reading and writing dimensions and 3, 4, or 5 on analysis.

What do colleges expect?

It’s unlikely that many colleges will release a breakdown of essay scores for admitted students—especially since so few are requiring it. What we know from experience with the ACT , though, is that even at the most competitive schools in the country, the 25th–75th percentile scores of admitted students were 8–10 on the ACT’s old 2–12 score range. We expect that things will play out similarly for the SAT and that most students admitted to highly selective colleges will have domain scores in the 5–7 range (possibly closer to 4–6 for analysis). It’s even less likely for students to average a high score across all three areas than it is to obtain a single high mark. We estimate that only a fraction of a percent of students will average an 8—for example [8/8/8, 7/8/8, 8/7/8, or 8,8,7].

Update as of October 2017. The University of California system has published the 25th–75th percentile ranges for enrolled students. It has chosen to work with total scores. The highest ranges—including those at UCLA and Berkeley—are 17–20. Those scores are inline with our estimates above.

How will colleges use the domain scores?

Colleges have been given no guidance by College Board on how to use essay scores for admission. Will they sum the scores? Will they average them? Will they value certain areas over others? Chances are that if you are worrying too much about those questions, then you are likely losing sight of the bigger picture. We know of no cases where admission committees will make formulaic use of essay scores. The scores are a very small, very error-prone part of a student’s testing portfolio.

How low is too low?

Are 3s and 4s, then, low enough that an otherwise high-scoring student should retest? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. In general, it is a mistake to retest solely to improve an essay score unless a student is confident that the SAT Total Score can be maintained or improved. A student with a 1340 PSAT and 1280 SAT may feel that it is worthwhile to bring up low essay scores because she has previously shown that she can do better on the Evidence-based Reading and Writing and Math, as well. A student with a 1400 PSAT and 1540 SAT should think long and hard before committing to a retest. Admission results from the class of 2017 may give us some added insight into the use of SAT Essay scores.

Will colleges continue to require the SAT Essay?

For the class of 2017, Compass has prepared a list of the SAT Essay and ACT Writing policies for 360 of the top colleges . Several of the largest and most prestigious public university systems—California, Michigan, and Texas, for example, still require the essay, and a number of highly competitive private colleges do the same—for example, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford.

The number of excellent colleges not requiring the SAT Essay, though, is long and getting longer. Compass expects even more colleges to drop the essay requirement for the classes of 2018 and 2019. Policies are typically finalized in late spring or during the summer.

Should I skip the essay entirely?

A common question regarding SAT scores is whether the whole mess can be avoided by skipping the essay. After all, if only about 10% of colleges are requiring the section, is it really that important? Despite serious misgivings about the test and the ways scores are interpreted, Compass still recommends that most students take the essay unless they are certain that they will not be applying to any of the colleges requiring or recommending it. Nationally, about 70% of students choose to take the essay on at least one SAT administration. When looking at higher scoring segments, that quickly rises to 85–90%. Almost all Compass students take the SAT Essay at least once to insure that they do not miss out on educational opportunities.

Should I prepare for the SAT Essay?

Most Compass students decide to do some preparation for the essay, because taking any part of a test “cold” can be an unpleasant experience, and students want to avoid feeling like a retake is necessary. In addition to practicing exercises and tests, most students can perform well enough on the SAT Essay after 1–2 hours of tutoring. Students taking a Compass practice SAT will also receive a scored essay. Students interested in essay writing tips for the SAT can refer to Compass blog posts on the difference between the ACT and SAT tasks and the use of first person on the essays .

Will I be able to see my essay?

Yes. ACT makes it difficult to obtain a copy of your Writing essay, but College Board includes it as part of your online report.

Will colleges have access to my essay? Even if they don’t require it?

Yes, colleges are provided with student essays. We know of very few circumstances where SAT Essay reading is regularly conducted. Colleges that do not require the SAT Essay fall into the “consider” and “do not consider” camps. Schools do not always list this policy on their website or in their application materials, so it is hard to have a comprehensive list. We recommend contacting colleges for more information. In general, the essay will have little to no impact at colleges that do not require or recommend it.

Is the SAT Essay a reason to take the ACT instead?

Almost all colleges that require the SAT Essay require Writing for ACT-takers. The essays are very different on the two tests, but neither can be said to be universally “easier” or “harder.” Compass recommends that the primary sections of the tests determine your planning. Compass’ content experts have also written a piece on how to attack the ACT essay .

Key links in this post:

ACT and SAT essay requirements ACT Writing scores explained Comparing ACT and SAT essay tasks The use of first person in ACT and SAT essays Understanding the “audience and purpose” of the ACT essay Compass proctored practice testing for the ACT, SAT, and Subject Tests

About Art Sawyer

Art graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, where he was the top-ranked liberal arts student in his class. Art pioneered the one-on-one approach to test prep in California in 1989 and co-founded Compass Education Group in 2004 in order to bring the best ideas and tutors into students' homes and computers. Although he has attained perfect scores on all flavors of the SAT and ACT, he is routinely beaten in backgammon.

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Hi! I’m a high school junior who took the October and November SATs. I got a 1500 on October and then retook it to get a 1590 in November. I’m very happy with my score, but my essays are troubling me. I got a 6-4-6 in October and thought I would improve in November, but I got a 6-3-6. I really cannot improve my actual SAT score, but I don’t understand the essay. I’ve always been a good writer and have consistently been praised for it in English class and outside of class. Is this essay score indicative of my writing skill? And will this essay hurt my chances at Ivy League and other top tier schools? None of the schools I plan on applying to require it, but, since I have to submit it, will it hurt my chances? Thank you so much.

Maya, The essay is becoming increasingly irrelevant. Honestly, a 6-4-6 is a fine score and will not hurt your chances for admission. It’s something of an odd writing task, so I wouldn’t worry that it doesn’t match your writing skills elsewhere.

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SAT Essay Score: Does It Affect Your SAT score, How Many Points is it and What is a Good Score?

How Much Is the Essay Worth for a SAT Score?

On the old version of the SAT, the essay was required. Now, it’s optional. However, if you think that means you can skip it, you might want to think again.

Some colleges still require you to submit a standardized test essay, like the one on the SAT, but other colleges don’t. If you want to keep your options open for where you can apply to college, sign up for the essay portion of the SAT and make sure you do well. Even if they say they don’t require the essay, some elite schools may still take your SAT essay score into account on your application.

Has There Always Been an Essay on the SAT?

When the College Board created a new version of the SAT in 2016, they changed a lot of things. The SAT writing score now counts for less of your overall SAT score because the two main sections of the test are now the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section and the Math section. Your SAT writing score comes from the multiple-choice part of the exam, while your SAT essay score is derived from a new part of the exam. That is the SAT Essay section, which stands on its own and does not affect your score in either of the multiple-choice sections .

You will have 50 minutes to complete the new version of the SAT Essay section. During that time, you will have to read and analyze a text and then you will compose an argumentative essay that examines and explains the effectiveness of the rhetoric in the passage you just read.

For this portion of the SAT, you will be scored on the SAT Essay rubric to earn a score out of 24 points. This score is separate from your 1,600-point score from the rest of the test . This section is also optional and costs an extra $11.50 in addition to the standard test fees.

Do Colleges Want Your SAT Essay Score?

All colleges want your SAT writing score, but that isn’t the same as the essay score. Some colleges want you to complete the essay, others recommend it and still others neither recommend nor require it. All in all, it depends on the college. When in doubt, contact the admissions office of your prospective college for more information.

A few elite colleges continue to require the SAT essay in its current form. Some of these colleges are in the Ivy League, notably Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton and Yale. So, if you’re planning on applying to Ivy League colleges, make sure you take the SAT Essay section seriously.

Even if you’re planning on applying to state schools, you still may want to take the SAT Essay section. Both the University of Michigan system and the University of California system require SAT Essay scores from applicants who apply to any of their schools. On the other hand, some state schools like the University of Illinois only recommend that you take the essay, while other state schools have no stance on the section and most likely won’t take your score into account during the admissions process.

Why Do Some Schools Want the Essay?

We already know that some schools want the essay and others don’t, but why is there such a divide? The schools that do want the essay have several reasons for requiring it. The first is that they want students to understand that writing is an integral part of college coursework, and students who don’t have proficient writing chops will find themselves struggling with their college classes.

It also helps that the new version of the SAT essay lines up well with colleges’ expectations for clear writing and independent thinking skills. The new essay asks students to read and comprehend an argument and then synthesize one of their own based on the effectiveness of the passage’s rhetoric. The new SAT essay not only shows colleges that applicants can write, but it also shows them that applicants can think critically and recognize effective writing techniques as well.

The third reason some colleges may want the SAT essay is because they want as much information on each applicant as they can get. Sometimes, college applications provide an incomplete picture of the students who are applying. The essay gives colleges additional data that can help in choosing between two nearly identical applications, with the student who writes the best, of course, rising to the top.

Why Don’t Some Schools Want the Essay?

One of the main reasons many schools don’t require the essay is that it provides information they already have. Most college application requirements include the submission of a personal essay written by the student applying. This writing sample helps college admissions officers get to know the applicants on a personal level, sure, but it also gives students a chance to let their writing talents shine. So, giving admissions officers more data on writing is unnecessary.

Another reason some colleges don’t want the SAT essay is because they don’t require the writing portion on the ACT . Requiring the SAT essay might give an unfair advantage to students taking the SAT instead of the ACT, or it could also disadvantage students who do poorly on the SAT essay if it was required but the ACT essay was not.

Additionally, some experts believe that standardized test essays are not a good measure of future college success . This means that while the essay section does provide additional data, some colleges aren’t sure if that data is valid. Still, other schools are wary of the additional cost of the SAT essay, thinking that having to pay more money may represent a burden to underprivileged students.

Understanding the SAT Essay Rubric

To know how high you have to score, and to understand how to succeed on this portion of the test, you’ll have to take a closer look at the SAT essay rubric. On the rubric, your score comes in three parts: reading, analysis and writing . You can earn from one to four points on each part, which are then multiplied by two for your score. You can earn up to eight points in each part for an overall score of up to 24 points .

Earning Points for Reading

To earn the full eight points for reading on the SAT essay, your essay has to demonstrate:

That you understand the passage
That you can clearly communicate the passage’s main idea as well as its details and how they relate to the main idea
That you can interpret the ideas of the passage without errors
That you can both paraphrase and quote textual evidence with skill and ease

Earning Points for Analysis

To earn the full eight points for analysis on the SAT essay, your essay has to communicate:

Insightful analysis of the passage’s key features
A thorough evaluation of the author’s choices, especially in regard to rhetoric
Thoroughly reasoned claims that are supported by evidence from the text
A focus on the most relevant parts of the text instead of delving into extraneous features or tangents

Finally, the writing itself should be free of errors, precise and effective and should demonstrate a sophisticated command of standard English.

What Are the Five Parts of an Argumentative Essay?

How to Write a Thesis & Introduction for a Critical Reflection Essay

How to Write an Introduction to an Analytical Essay

Examples of Expository Essays in Middle School

What Do You Have to Make on the GED to Pass?

How to Write Conclusions for Expository Papers

How to Use Writepoint Grammar Corrections

How Many Essays Does the GED Have?

PrepScholar: Does the SAT Essay Matter? Expert Guide
CollegeBoard: SAT Essay Scoring
Kaplan: New SAT Essay Scoring Rubric
Khan Academy: The SAT Essay: Overview

Rebecca Renner is a teacher and college professor from Florida. She loves teaching about literature, and she writes about books for Book Riot, Real Simple, Electric Literature and more.

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Students taking the latest version of the SAT have a lot of questions about the Essay section in particular. When the College Board redesigned the SAT in 2016, the Essay section was the aspect of the test that changed most substantially.

As a result, it is the section that is least understood. Keep reading to learn how we approach setting a good target score for this often enigmatic section of the SAT.

What Is the SAT Essay?

Students taking the optional Essay section are provided with a written argument and asked to analyze it. Check out the College Board’s example prompt with sample graded responses to get a sense of what the exam looks like.

Is the SAT Essay Required?

This is the only optional section of the SAT. It does not impact your overall score out of 1600. Instead, your Essay grade stands alone on your score report.

While the College Board does not require the SAT Essay, certain schools do.

Schools that Require the SAT Essay

All of the University of California schools
Benedictine University
City University London
Delaware State University
DeSales University
Dominican University of California
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Howard University
John Wesley University
Kentucky State University
Martin Luther College
Molloy College
Schreiner University
Soka University of America
Southern California Institute of Architecture
Texas A&M University—Galveston
United States Military Academy (West Point)
University of North Texas
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Western Carolina University

Discover how your SAT score affects your chances

As part of our free guidance platform, our Admissions Assessment tells you what schools you need to improve your SAT score for and by how much. Sign up to get started today.

Additionally, these schools do not require the SAT Essay but recommend it.

Schools that Recommend the SAT Essay

Abilene Christian University
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Allegheny College
Amherst College
Art Institute of Houston
Augsburg University
Austin College
Caldwell University
California State University, Northridge
Central Connecticut State University
Central Michigan University
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
Coastal Carolina University
Colby College
College of Wooster
Colorado School of Mines
Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
Corban University
Cornerstone University
Dallas Christian College
Duke University
Eastern Illinois University
Eastern Nazarene College
Easternn University
Endicott College
Five Towns College
Gallaudet University
George Washington University
Georgia Highlands College
Greenville University
Gwynedd Mercy University
High Point University
Hofstra University
Holy Family University
Husson University
Indiana University South Bend
Indiana University Southeast
Indiana Wesleyan University
Inter American University of Puerto Rico: Barranquitas Campus
Juilliard School
Keiser University (West Palm Beach)
Lehigh University
Madonna University
Manhattan College
Marymount California University
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
McMurry University
Mercy College
Modern College of Design
Montana Tech of the University of Montana
Morehouse College
Mount Saint Mary College
Mount St. Joseph University
National-Louis University
New Jersey City University
Nichols College
North Park University
Occidental College
Ohio University
Oregon State University
Purdue University Northwest
Randall University
Randolph-Macon College
Reading Area Community College
Rowan University
Rutgers University—Camden Campus
Rutgers University—Newark Campus
Saint Michael’s College
Seton Hill University
Shiloh University
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Silver Lake College of the Holy Family
Southern Illinois University of Carbondale
Southern Oregon University
Spring Hill College
Sul Ross State University
SUNY Farmingdale State College
SUNY University at Stony Brook
Tarleton State University
Texas A&M International University
Texas A&M University
Texas State University
The King’s College
United States Air Force Academy
University of Evansville
University of La Verne
University of Mary Hardin—Baylor
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Minnesota: Twin Cities
University of New England
University of Northwestern—St. Paul
University of the Virgin Islands
University of Toledo
University of Washington Bothell
VanderCook College of Music
Virginia Union University
Wabash College
Webb Institute
Webber International University
Wesleyan College
William Jewell College

Should You Take the SAT Essay Section?

We recommend taking the Essay section just in case you want to apply to one of the schools that requires or recommends it. If you’re absolutely sure you won’t apply to any of these schools, you can skip it. Just know that you can’t retake the SAT essay alone, so if you change your mind and want to apply to a school that requires the Essay section, you’ll have to retake the whole test.

How Is the SAT Essay Scored?

Your essay will be evaluated on three criteria—Reading, Analysis, and Writing.

The Reading grade is meant to gauge how well you understand the passage content. Did you absorb the information you just read? Especially when the details are not intuitive, your readers will be checking to see that you read closely and caught the nuance of the piece.

The Analysis score relates to how well you represented the argument that the writer made. Your goal in the Essay section should be to determine what the writer’s main argument is and describe how they present it.

Finally, your score in Writing reflects your own command over the English language. Your capacity to write clear, well-structured sentences that use a wide range of vocabulary will determine this grade.

Two readers each give the essay a score between 1 and 4, depending on how well each reader thinks you did in the three categories. Their grades are then summed to give you a three-part grade. The highest grade you can receive is 8, 8, 8, while the lowest possible score is 2, 2, 2. To give an example, one student may score a 5, 4, 4, which would mean that their readers submitted the following feedback:


Reading	3	2
Analysis	2	2
Writing	2	2

What’s a Good, Average, and Bad SAT Essay Score?

In 2019, the mean score on the Reading and Writing for the SAT Essay was a 5. For the Analysis section, the mean score was a little lower at 3, simply because Analysis is a skill that high school students spend less time honing than Reading or Writing.

For a detailed breakdown of how 2019’s test takers performed, here are a few score distributions:

sat essay reading score distribution chart

Here’s a rough breakdown of the percentile scores based on the most recent College Board data. Here’s how this chart works: say you scored a 6 on the Reading section. According to the data, that means that you performed better than 70% of other essay writers.

SAT Essay Score Percentile Rankings


8	99	99+	98
7	96	99	93
6	70	93	53
5	48	79	33
4	18	51	9
3	8	32	4
2	0	0	0

Source: College Board and CollegeVine data analysis

How Should You Understand and Improve Your SAT Essay Score?

Unless your SAT Essay score is rock-bottom, you should not feel the need to retest just to improve your Essay score. If you received a low score that you feel isn’t representative of your writing abilities, focus on crafting stellar college essays instead of retaking the SAT just for the Essay section.

If you were unhappy with your SAT Essay score AND your overall SAT score, however, then you should consider retaking the test with the Essay section.

Here are a few tips on how to improve your SAT Essay score:

1. Annotate the passage. Read carefully. Start by boxing the main argument of the passage, then put a star next to three or four places where the author employs a strategy to win the readers over. These may include:

Refuting a counter argument
Raising a question
Providing anecdotal evidence
Using statistics to support a claim
Citing historical examples
Employing rhetorical devices, such as metaphor

2. State the main point of the passage author. Make it clear that you understand what the author is trying to say by stating their thesis clearly in your essay response. No one reading your essay should have any doubt as to what you think the main point of the passage is.

Make the author’s thesis clear at the beginning of your response as well as in your concluding paragraph. Tie back to it often within your body paragraphs too.

3. Outline before you write. Spend 3-5 minutes organizing your thoughts. Build up 2-4 points about the argument’s structure. Think of yourself as a debate coach. Give feedback on the persuasion tactics the author used. Which ones were most effective? What could they have done to sway their audience even more?

Remembered the strategies you starred when you were annotating? These are the building blocks of the author’s argument, and your essay should provide analysis of how effectively these building blocks were used.

4. DO NOT include your personal opinion. The essay exists to assess whether you can analyze an argument. It has nothing to do with your personal views. If you find yourself defending or disagreeing with the passage, that is a good sign that you are missing a chance to analyze the argument’s structure.

5. Proofread your essay. Give yourself 2 minutes towards the end of the section to improve the language you used. Search for spelling and grammar mistakes, as well as weak word choice. Replace monosyllabic words like “good” and “is” with more dynamic vocabulary, such as “striking” or “constitutes.” This is a quick and easy way to boost your Writing score.

For more advice on how to study for the Essay section, check out our How to Get a Perfect Score on the SAT Essay and The Ultimate Guide to the New SAT Essay .

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Can Colleges See How Many Times You’ve Taken the SAT?

Do you ever wonder whether colleges can actually see how many times you've taken the SAT? Maybe you imagine admissions officers as the SAT Police, running extensive academic background checks or calling up the College Board to ask about your test-taking history. (Don’t worry, they’re not).

The competitive nature of college admissions has left many students curious about how their test-taking history impacts their chances of getting accepted into an Ivy League university. In this article, we’ll break down SAT scoring policies and discuss how they impact your college applications. We'll examine the pros and cons of multiple test attempts and empower you with the knowledge you need to strategically approach the SAT.

The Importance of the SAT for College Admissions

The SAT is a standardized test widely used by colleges and universities in the United States as part of their admissions process. It is designed to assess a student's readiness for college-level academics and provide colleges with a standardized measure to compare applicants.

Fun fact: The acronym SAT was once short for Scholastic Aptitude Test, and later, Scholastic Assessment Test. Now, it stands for nothing at all!

Many colleges consider the SAT scores alongside other factors, such as high school GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters, to make admissions decisions. While the SAT is just one piece of the puzzle, it can greatly influence the outcome of your college applications.

The SAT provides a standardized metric that helps admissions officers compare students on an equal footing, regardless of the variations in high school curricula and grading scales. A strong SAT score can also enhance your chances of receiving scholarships and other forms of financial aid.

Test-Optional Policies

Because of COVID-19, many schools went “test-optional.” This means they don’t require you to send your SAT scores as part of your admissions application. It also means that NOT submitting SAT scores will not hurt your chances of getting in. Many schools are still test-optional as of the 2023-2024 school year. Check your target schools’ websites for their admission requirements.

Given the importance of the SAT in the admissions process, it's natural to wonder whether colleges can see your SAT test history. Let's look into the SAT score reporting policies of colleges and uncover how they handle multiple test attempts.

SAT Score Reporting Policies of Colleges

Colleges have different policies when it comes to SAT score reporting. Some schools require students to submit all their SAT scores. Others allow students to choose which scores to send. It’s crucial to understand the policies of your target colleges to determine how your test-taking history will be considered.

The College Board, the organization that administers the SAT, offers score-reporting options to students. These options include:

1. Score Choice: With Score Choice, students can select which SAT scores they want to send to colleges. This allows you to strategically choose the scores that best represent your abilities and improve your chances of getting admitted.

2. All Scores: Some colleges require students to send all their SAT scores. This means that the colleges will have access to your entire test record, including scores from all the times you have taken the SAT. However, it's important to note that even if a college requires all scores, they may still consider your highest scores or use a process called "superscoring", which we'll discuss in just a moment.

3. Single Highest Sitting: A few colleges only consider your highest SAT scores from a single test sitting. This means that even if you have taken the SAT multiple times, they will only consider the scores from your best performance on a single test day.

Now that we know about the score reporting policies, let's answer the burning question: Does your college actually know how many times you've taken the SAT?

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Does your college know how many times you've taken the SAT?

The answer to this question depends on the score reporting policy of the college you’re applying to. If a college requires all scores (or if you choose to send all scores), they will have access to your entire SAT test record — including the number of times you've taken the test.

Before you stress about your test-taking history, remember: colleges evaluate applications holistically. The number of SAT attempts is not a determining factor for admission.

Colleges understand that students may take the SAT multiple times to improve their scores. They typically focus on your highest scores or use a process called superscoring to make admissions decisions.

What does “superscoring” mean in college admissions?

Colleges use various methods to consider multiple SAT scores during the admissions process. One common approach is superscoring.

Superscoring involves considering the highest section scores across multiple SAT test dates. For example, say you scored higher in the Math section on your second attempt but performed better in the Reading and Writing section on your first attempt. A college that practices superscoring would consider the higher scores from each section, resulting in a higher composite score.

By using superscoring, colleges acknowledge that students have strengths in different areas. They aim to evaluate applicants based on their best performances. This method gives students a fair chance to showcase their abilities even if they didn't achieve their desired scores in a single test sitting.

Note that not all colleges practice superscoring. Some colleges consider your highest scores from a single test sitting. Others take a holistic approach, evaluating all your scores but placing more emphasis on your highest scores.

Pro Tip: Research the SAT score policies of the colleges you are applying to. You can do this by searching “[University Name] Standardized Testing Policy.”

Top Universities That Require You to Send All SAT Scores

Below is a summary of some of the top universities that require you to submit ALL test scores.

Quote from Georgetown’s website :

“Georgetown does not participate in Score Choice and requires submission of each applicant’s complete testing record, including all SAT, ACT, and/or SAT Subject test scores. We remain firmly committed to a comprehensive and holistic review of all applications, and test scores are considered in their appropriate context.”

Stanford University

Stanford University remains test-optional. If you do choose to submit your SAT scores, you must submit all of them and they will be superscored. Visit Stanford’s website for more information.

University of Pennsylvania

Quote from UPenn’s website :

“Score Choice: Although we permit Score Choice, we encourage students to submit their entire testing history for both ACT and SAT exams.”

If you do choose to submit all your scores to UPenn, they use superscoring to evaluate them. They combine your highest score from the Reading and Writing section with your highest Math score to calculate a superscore.

Cornell University

Four of the colleges at Cornell are test-free. The others are test-optional. If you opt to submit your scores, you must submit all of them. Cornell practices superscoring to evaluate standardized test scores.

For specifics on which of Cornell’s colleges are test-free and test-optional, visit their website.

Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon remains test-optional since April 2020. If you do choose to submit your scores, you must submit all of them. They allow superscoring of SAT results but not ACT results. For more information, visit their website.

For a complete list of all colleges that require all SAT scores and how they evaluate your scores, check out this official PDF from College Board.

SAT vs. ACT: How Different Are the Questions?

Should you retake the SAT?

Retaking the SAT can have both advantages and disadvantages. Let’s weigh these factors before deciding whether to take the test again.

Pros of Retaking the SAT:

1. Improvement potential: Retaking the SAT gives you an opportunity to improve your scores. With additional preparation and targeted studying, you can work on areas where you didn’t perform as well previously and aim for a higher score.

2. Demonstrating growth: Retaking the SAT and achieving higher scores can showcase your dedication to self-improvement. Colleges appreciate students who strive for excellence and show improvement over time.

3. Superscoring: If your target colleges practice superscoring, retaking the SAT can potentially lead to a higher superscore.

Cons of retaking the SAT:

1. Diminishing returns: There may come a point where retaking the SAT does not yield significant score improvements. Before retaking, determine whether further attempts will increase your score enough to benefit your application.

2. Time and effort: Preparing for the SAT requires a significant investment of time and effort. Retaking the SAT means dedicating more hours to studying, taking practice tests, and test preparation courses. Consider whether the time spent on retaking the SAT could be better used on other aspects of your college application.

3. Test anxiety: For some students, the pressure of retaking the SAT can lead to increased test anxiety. If you find that the stress of retaking the test negatively affects your performance or overall well-being, consider whether the potential benefits outweigh the emotional toll.

The Bottom Line

So, can colleges see how many times you’ve taken the SAT? The answer, like most things in the college admissions process, is: “it depends.”

Some schools remain test-optional. If you choose not to submit your scores, they can’t see how many times you’ve taken the test.

Some test-optional schools require you to submit all your SAT scores — IF you choose to submit scores at all. Many of these schools practice superscoring, where they combine your highest scores from different sections across multiple test attempts.

Other schools allow you to choose the scores you would like to submit, meaning they won’t know how many times you’ve taken the test unless you tell them.

Though great SAT scores can boost your chances of getting into a top university, they are not the be-all-end-all of your application. Colleges evaluate applications holistically, so they won’t depend on any one score or grade to determine whether you get in.

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We enroll an incoming class of highly qualified, intellectually curious and actively involved students who have demonstrated high levels of maturity and personal integrity as well as a commitment to serving their communities.

To achieve this, we practice a holistic admission review process, which takes into account a variety of primary academic factors and secondary factors as they relate to your ability to be successful in our competitive academic environment. While admission is competitive, you will be considered on an individual basis relative to a prediction of your academic success in the college to which you apply.

Academic Rigor

The primary factor in admission decisions is your academic achievement. CU Boulder focuses on your classroom performance in core academic courses, the rigor of your course selection and your GPA. SAT and ACT will not be required when applying to CU Boulder. CU Boulder has, and will continue to, review via a holistic assessment of each application with all of the information that is available.

International Students

International students with four or less semesters of U.S. schooling should refer to their country's specific requirements.

Review Requirements by Country

The grades you have earned while in high school or secondary school play the most important role in determining your competitiveness for admission to the University of Colorado Boulder.

Since there are many different grading scales and weighting methods, we use the total weighted GPA provided by your graduating high school, using a standard 4.00 scale. GPAs that are not on a 4.00 scale are converted accordingly.

If your high school does not provide a weighted GPA but provides a total unweighted GPA, we will use your total unweighted GPA on a standard 4.00 scale. If your high school does not provide a GPA or the GPA provided does not include all completed high school courses, we will recalculate the GPA according to the grading scale in use at your high school at the time the course was completed. When recalculating a GPA, we will not add weight for honors, AP and/or IB curricula because there is not a standard format for the designation or grading scale for these courses. However, we do consider the number of honors, AP and/or IB courses a student takes when determining the rigor of their overall curriculum.

Class Selection

Academic rigor in your course selection is also a primary factor that we consider. To be competitive, challenge yourself by pursuing the most rigorous courses available that are appropriate to your level of ability.

The number of courses taken beyond the minimum recommendation of 17—as well as those designated as advanced, honors, gifted, concurrent enrollment, dual-enrollment, AP or IB —will be considered in the admission process.

First-year students applying to undergraduate programs are strongly encouraged to meet the following Higher Education Admission Recommendations (HEAR) . Students may be admitted to CU Boulder even though they have not completed all of the HEAR courses. There are no consequences if HEAR is not met. However, not completing HEAR might result in taking additional courses to meet the CU Boulder graduation requirements of individual majors. International students with four or less semesters of U.S. schooling should refer to their country's specific requirements .

Please note: a challenging schedule will not outweigh a non-competitive GPA, as your grades ultimately remain the single most important factor in your admission decision. Additionally, any grades of D or F on your transcript—especially in your junior or senior year—would be cause for concern and should be addressed in your application.

Standardized Tests

ACT or SAT scores are not required for first-year students, but you may provide self-reported scores if you would like us to take your scores into consideration when reviewing your application. You will indicate on the Common App whether you plan to submit standardized test scores. If you choose to submit scores, please ensure that we have received them by the relevant application deadline so that your application will not be considered late.

First-Year Applicant FAQs

English Proficiency Requirements for International Students

In addition to our general admission requirements, all international applicants are also required to meet a minimum standard of English proficiency. International students who do not meet this requirement may still be eligible for conditional admission.

Review English Proficiency Requirements

Beyond Academics

While academics and test scores play a large role in your admission decision, we want students who are actively involved in their schools and communities. We place importance on secondary factors beyond academic achievement to assess the overall qualities of an applicant.

What makes you stand out? Be thoughtful and use your required essays and your letter of recommendation to highlight your school and community activities, leadership positions and awards, participation in athletics or music, work experience, summer activities and special circumstances. Please note: we do not accept or use portfolio or audio/video submissions in our admission process.

Personal Essays

Your personal essays give you the opportunity to tell us more about yourself. They provide insight into your challenges and triumphs in a way that transcripts and test scores simply cannot.

When reading your essays, we are looking for sincerity and authenticity. It’s easy to tell when a student’s essay is something they care deeply about, compared to a student who writes what they think we want to hear. A funny or interesting story doesn’t hurt, either!

There is one essay and one short answer required for first year applicants. As you write your essay and short answer, consider reflecting on challenges that you've overcome, your family or cultural heritage, your academic or co-curricular achievements or specific moments that have defined your character. There are no 'correct' answers to these questions; your responses should reflect the unique aspects and experiences of your life.

What we are looking for:

Be yourself. Open up to us and write about something that is meaningful to you.
Be specific. Give examples and tell stories to make your points.
Be honest. We are interested in your journey—even if it hasn’t always been perfect.
Be clear. Effective writing and communication skills are expected.

Letter of Recommendation

Just like your essays give you the chance to tell us more about you, a letter of recommendation gives someone else the opportunity to speak to your academic strengths and co-curricular involvement.

This is the one chance in your application where we get to learn about you from someone other than you, so choose someone who knows you well. Many students ask a teacher or school counselor to write their letter of recommendation.

Admitted Student Averages

Credentials based on the middle 50% of 2024 admitted first-year students. High School GPAs are weighted and may represent self-reported GPAs. SAT/ACT scores reflect the middle 50% score range for students who requested test scores be considered in their application review. For the 2024 first-year application, SAT/ACT scores are not required and we take a holistic approach when reviewing your application.

Weighted High School GPA: 3.74 - 4.23

SAT Total: 1290 - 1460 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 29 - 34

College of Arts & Sciences

Weighted High School GPA: 3.70 - 4.20

SAT Total: 1270 - 1440 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 29 - 33

College of Engineering & Applied Science

Weighted High School GPA: 3.97 - 4.42

SAT Total: 1360 - 1500 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 31 - 34

College of Media, Communication & Information

Weighted High School GPA: 3.54 - 4.06

SAT Total: 1220 - 1380 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 28 - 32

College of Music

Weighted High School GPA: 3.71 - 4.20

SAT Total: 1290 - 1470 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 30 - 33

Leeds School of Business

Weighted High School GPA: 4.0 - 4.36

SAT Total: 1360 - 1450 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 30 - 34

Program in Environmental Design

Weighted High School GPA: 3.62 - 4.17

SAT Total: 1270 - 1410 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 29 - 32

School of Education

Weighted High School GPA: 3.40 - 3.99

SAT Total: 1160 - 1330 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 26 - 31

Credit for Course work or Exams

Students applying to CU Boulder have the opportunity to earn college credit before enrollment. CU Boulder accepts credit from AP/IB exams, A-Level exams, college course work taken concurrently while in high school and limited CLEP credit. Earning college credit while in high school is a great way to help offset some of your estimated cost of attendance. Students are highly encouraged to explore credit for course work options while in high school. For more information on how credit is transferred to CU Boulder and what credit can be accepted please see the links below.

Official Advanced Placement (AP) scores must be sent to the admissions office directly from the College Board. CU Boulder's CEEB/ETS code is 004841.

Review the Advanced Placement Chart

For A-level examinations from an international examining board to be considered for transfer credit, the student must submit an official copy of the examination result, either by submitting the original certificate upon arrival on campus (University of Colorado Boulder will make and keep a copy as official, returning the original to the student), or through verification of results between the Office of Admissions and the examinations board. Methods of approved verification are below.

AQA : Student must request verification by emailing [email protected] (add 'Verification' in the subject box) and have it sent to [email protected] .
CIE: The University of Colorado Boulder can use CIE Direct after requesting the following information from the student: Cambridge Center and candidate numbers, student’s date of birth and the relevant examination series (month and year, e.g. June 2014).
OCR : Student must request that OCR send a fax confirming student’s results to the University of Colorado Boulder. Fax number: +1-303-735-2501, ATTN: International Admissions.
Pearson/Edexcel : Student must apply for a copy of the certificate to be sent directly to the University of Colorado Boulder.
WJEC/CBAC : Student must submit original Certificate or Certifying Statement of Results only (confirmation of grades via email/telephone/fax not available).

If you took college-level courses while enrolled in high school, you may be able to transfer the credit to CU Boulder. Only courses taken at a college or university of recognized standing with grades of C- or better are accepted for transfer. All college-level work will be evaluated in accordance with CU Boulder transfer credit guidelines. You must have an official college transcript sent directly to the Office of Admissions in order for transfer credit to be evaluated.

Review the Transfer Credit Policy

The International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma programs provide pre-university study. IB examinations, whether leading to a full IB diploma or to an IB certificate, often qualify students for advanced standing at CU Boulder. In general, credit is granted for approved IB examinations at the higher level with a score of 4 or better. Students admitted to the University of Colorado Boulder who have graduated from high school with an International Baccalaureate Diploma shall be granted 24 semester hours of college credit. This credit will be applied toward degree requirements only if approved by the college or school. Depending on the student’s degree program, some of the 24 credits may not be applicable towards degree requirements. No CU Boulder tuition will be charged for these credits and the 24 credits will only be granted if the student receives a score of 4 or better on an examination administered as part of the IB Diploma program. If the student scores less than 4 on each IB subject test, the credit hours granted will be reduced accordingly. Official scores must be sent to the Admissions Office directly from the IB organization.

Review the International Baccalaureate Chart

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First-Year Applicants

First-year applicants are in high school, or have graduated from high school but have not taken any college courses after graduating or earning a GED.

Transfer Applicants

Transfer applicants have attended another college or university since earning their high school diploma or GED. Transfer applicants are looking to complete a bachelor’s degree at CU Boulder.

International Applicants

Undergraduate international applicants are students who need a visa to be in the U.S. Apply as a domestic student if you have a U.S. passport or green card.

Readmit Applicants

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CU Boulder counselors are here to help you through the application and answer any questions that may arise during the admission process.

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The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. You may view the list of ADA and Title IX coordinators and review the Regent policy .

As a student or prospective student at CU Boulder, you have a right to certain information pertaining to financial aid programs, the Clery Act, crime and safety, graduation rates, athletics and other general information such as the costs associated with attending CU Boulder. To view this information visit colorado.edu/your-right-know .

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Interpreting SAT Scores

Help your students learn how to interpret their SAT score and find out what the numbers mean. To view scores, students can sign in to their online account.

SAT Score Structure

Total SAT score: 400–1600
Reading and Writing Section: 200–800
Math Section: 200–800
SAT Essay: Three scores ranging from 2–8

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SAT Score Reported	Details	Score Range
	Sum of the 2 section scores.	400–1600
	Reading and Writing, and Math.	200–800
	Reading, Analysis, and Writing.	2–8

Putting Scores into Perspective

Score and score insights provide substantial feedback. Mean scores, score comparisons, percentiles, and benchmarks can help your students put their scores in perspective. Knowledge and skills performance can help identify strengths and weaknesses and see what skills need more practice. However, scores won't reveal if students passed because there's no such thing as a passing score.

What the Numbers Mean

Score ranges, benchmarks, mean (average) score comparisons, and percentiles can be used to see if your students are on track for college readiness.

Score Ranges

Score ranges show how much a student's score might change with repeated testing, assuming their skill level remains the same.

Usually, section scores for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and for Math fall in a range of roughly 30 to 40 points above or below their true ability. Colleges know this, and they receive the score ranges along with scores to consider that single snapshot in context.

Mean (Average) Score Comparisons

Score information online show you the mean, or average, scores earned by typical U.S. test takers per grade. You can view the mean scores of testers at the student's school, district, state, country, and/or testers worldwide (as applicable). Unless a score is much lower than average, your students are developing the kinds of reading, writing and language, and math skills they'll need in college.

College and Career Readiness Benchmarks

The SAT College and Career Readiness Benchmarks reflect benchmark scores for both Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math sections. Students whose scores meet each section's benchmarks are considered college and career ready. That means if a score is at or above the benchmark, they're on track to be ready for college after high school.

Students can use the detailed feedback in their online score portal or speak with a school counselor about their scores to see which skills need the most improvement.

Percentile Ranks

A percentile rank is a number between 1 and 99 that shows how your students scored compared to other students. It represents the percentage of students whose scores fall at or below their score. For example, a test taker in the 57th percentile scored higher than or equal to 57% of test takers.

You'll see up to four percentiles:

The Nationally Representative Sample percentile (available in the K–12 Student Roster only) compares your students' scores to the scores of typical 11th- and 12th-grade U.S. students.
The All Tester Percentile compares their scores to the actual scores of all recent graduates (worldwide) who took the SAT during high school.
The Country Percentile compares their scores to the actual scores of recent graduates in the student's country who took the SAT during high school.
The State Percentile compares their scores to the actual scores of recent graduates in the student's state who took the SAT during high school. This is available to U.S. testers only.

Retaking the SAT Takes Practice

As you and your students learn more about scores, let them know that many students take the SAT for the first time in the spring of their junior year and again in the fall of their senior year. Students usually do better the second time.

Learn how benchmarks work together to help students and educators assess student progress toward college readiness from year to year.

Understanding SAT Weekend Scores for Students and Families

This document helps students taking the SAT on a weekend administration understand the student's scores and learn where to find more information.

Understanding Your SAT Score

Students can watch this video to learn about their score and score insights.

SAT School Day Understanding Scores for Students and Families

This document helps students taking the SAT during in-school testing and their families understand the student's scores and learn where to find more information.

SAT School Day Understanding Scores for Students and Families (Spanish)

This document helps students who took SAT School Day and their families understand the student's scores and learn where to find more information.

SAT School Day Understanding Scores for Students and Families (Chinese)

Sat school day understanding scores for students and families (arabic), related topics.

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How to stand out to colleges when attending a competitive high school.

This branded content article is sponsored by IvyWise

The college admissions landscape has always been challenging for students, but these days, it’s harder than ever — and it’s never too early, or too late, to start perfecting your strategic plan.

Students are tasked with creating college applications that need to be exceptionally strong, especially for those at competitive high schools. Every student is evaluated against others in their school when applying to college, so getting a student to stand out through their application — and rise above their competition — is imperative.

Dr. Kat Cohen, founder and CEO of IvyWise

“College admissions officers review applications in the context of an applicant’s high school and region, so they have high expectations for students from competitive high schools,” Dr. Kat Cohen , founder and CEO of IvyWise , the world’s premier educational consulting company, told The Post.

Dr. Cohen and the IvyWise team are well-versed in the NYC high school landscape, as they have worked with students from the most well-known schools, including Brearley, Chapin, Collegiate, Dalton, Horace Mann, Riverdale, Spence, Stuyvesant, and Trinity — as well as top high schools in the wider tri-state area and boarding schools popular among the New York elite. IvyWise is not just an NYC powerhouse: they work with students in over 80 countries, so they know precisely how students will be read, not only in the context of their high schools and region, but also in the context of the wider pool of global applicants. This is how IvyWise students get into selective schools at much higher rates , multiple times over the overall admit rates.

Many of the colleges and universities that have traditionally been popular among NYC students have seen stark decreases in their acceptance rates over the past few years — making expert guidance all-the-more critical. For example, Northeastern’s admit rate plummeted from 18.05% for the class of 2024 to 5.64% for the class of 2027 (class of 2028 data is not yet available). Similarly, those looking to stay in the city at NYU will find that challenging, too: their admit rate decreased from 16.20% for the class of 2024 to 8% for the class of 2028.

Students at competitive high schools are learning that they can’t rely on just getting good grades and need to focus on what will set them apart from their fellow high-achieving peers. With the constantly-changing landscape of admissions, many families are turning to expert consultancies, like IvyWise, whose team is comprised of former deans and directors of admission with over 400 years of collective admissions and real decision-making experience, to ensure their students get into their top-choice schools by creating bespoke high school roadmaps spanning all four years, including customized summer and test prep plans.

The secret sauce at IvyWise is their signature Roundtable service, which simulates the real-world admissions committee evaluation process. During the application season, the entire team of IvyWise counselors meets weekly to review students’ applications, including college lists, all essays and supplements, test scores, and more, giving students invaluable feedback and areas of improvement to implement before hitting ‘submit’ to their best-fit universities.

An IvyWise alum, who went to a competitive high school in New York, said of the service : “The Roundtable feedback was [immensely] helpful in this process. My essays were very well written because of all of [my counselor’s] personal feedback and the feedback that I received from Roundtable!”

While many people might assume that they have to fork over hundreds of thousands of dollars to get expert college admissions guidance, at IvyWise, programs that include unlimited access to Roundtable start at $14,000. A comprehensive, multi-year college admissions counseling program is about $50,000, which is lower than at other consultancies that don’t employ former admissions officers. Cohen says, “We have a wide range of pricing, including serving 10% of our students pro bono.”

Cohen stresses how important it is to work with a counselor who has first-hand experience in admissions. “IvyWise counselors have sat in the room where these tough decisions are made, we know what colleges are looking for, and we understand the intricacies of enrollment management,” said Dr. Cohen, adding that the admissions landscape is far too complex and nuanced to trust your child’s future to someone with no admissions experience or might be just a graduate of a selective institution. “Every IvyWise college admissions counselor is a member of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) and we strictly adhere to the NACAC code of ethics ,” she adds.

A parent from New York who used IvyWise’s services to help her daughter gain Single-Choice Early Action acceptance to Princeton, said: “It all went so smoothly. My husband and I felt comfortable staying out of the application process because we knew our daughter was in such good hands with [her counselor]. IvyWise allowed us to keep the peace during what could easily have been a miserable year. And ultimately, the results speak for themselves!”

Luckily for you, we caught up with the IvyWise experts! As students gear up for the new school year, here are the steps they should think about to help them stand out to college admissions officers.

excited student looking at notebook celebrating success

Standardized testing is a must … even when it doesn’t “need” to be.

Many of the most selective institutions either have already gone back to requiring standardized test scores or will be reinstating the requirement soon. Brown, Caltech, Dartmouth, Harvard and Yale will return to requiring test scores this year, while other universities like Georgetown, MIT, Purdue, the University of Florida, the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech have already returned to requiring tests when applying.

Colleges that remain test-optional will likely still expect students from competitive high schools to submit standardized test scores. “Optional” is not really optional for these students. At a competitive high school where students are more likely to take standardized tests and submit test scores, a student who does not do so could stick out poorly. For example, over 93% of Stuyvesant’s class of 2023 took the SAT, according to the most recent school profile.

The IvyWise team stays abreast of the latest testing policies and score submission data at selective universities. At Notre Dame, about two-thirds of the admitted class of 2028 submitted test scores, compared to 44% of all applicants. At Rice, a whopping 78% of admits to the class of 2028 submitted scores.

Automatically assume that your student won’t be able to score well on the ACT or SAT, so it’s not even worth trying? Not so fast: “As with anything in college admissions, starting early and building a strategic plan under the guidance of a true expert are crucial,” advises Dr. Cohen, “Standardized tests are marathons, not sprints. Both the SAT and ACT are coachable tests!”

If feasible, students should consider enrolling in test prep courses or working with a tutor. IvyWise’s test prep tutors have an average of 15 years of experience and have scored in the 95 th percentile or above on the standardized test to which they teach. IvyWise keeps their fingers on the pulse of the ever-evolving standardized testing landscape, including the upcoming ACT changes for the online version in spring 2025 and paper-and-pencil in fall 2025, in order to be able to best tutor their students. They analyze the student’s diagnostic tests through computer analysis to determine which is the better test for the student’s individual strengths and pinpoint the areas of improvement to focus on, making the process as efficient and effective as possible.

A personal statement must be exactly that.

The personal statement is a way for the admissions officer to draw back the curtain and see another side of the applicant, so it should tell an admissions officer something they can’t learn anywhere else in the application. All students are unique and complex, so they need to show different sides of who they are in their personal statements. Colleges are looking for intellectual vitality and diversity. This matters, so students need to dig deep!

IvyWise college admissions counselors really get to know their students personally to help them find their voices and bring their unique stories to life. One student had a gift and passion for music and composing, with an academic interest in STEM, especially math and physics. He originally planned on applying exclusively to music conservatories, but the student’s IvyWise counselor encouraged him to tie his STEM interests into his study of music theory and composition. This made him realize that research universities could also be a great fit for him, and he expanded his college list — ultimately earning acceptances to many top universities and music conservatories. He is thrilled to be enrolling at Harvard this fall! His personal statement revolved around the idea of “contrast,” using a compositional technique as a metaphor for his interests in STEM and music.

This is an example of where the importance of a trusted guide who has relevant admissions experience comes into play. When seeking help with your admissions journey, it is important to choose a counselor who has professional insight into exactly what admissions committees look for, like each of the counselors at IvyWise has. Merely having gone through the college application process as a student is not the same as having worked on the admissions side of the desk — oftentimes, those who claim they can help college-bound students just because they themselves got into top universities lack the crucial insight that is needed to properly advise students, especially given each student’s unique story, needs and goals. “But even having admissions experience isn’t enough – that’s why we also invest so heavily in professional development, sending our counselors and staff on college visits and to industry conferences,” Dr. Cohen adds.

Another parent, whose son got into Brown through Early Decision, said: “We can’t thank IvyWise enough for all of their help, guidance, patience, advice, etc. with our student these past few months (as well as with our other student 6 years ago!) and the fantastic job they did helping our student produce great applications.”

Go the extra mile — or two — with extracurricular activities

There are no objectively “good” activities for all students to be involved in — an activity is valuable as long as it is authentic to the student and reflects who they are and what matters to them. When it comes to evaluating extracurricular activities , admissions officers are looking for depth, leadership, impact, responsibility, and how these activities relate to the applicant’s interests. Students — especially those at competitive high schools — should think about going outside the classroom to find additional opportunities to make an impact.

“[My IvyWise counselor] was a huge help in narrowing my interests in engineering. She pushed me to explore my interests, whether it was taking an online course or doing a summer internship. I could never have accomplished what I did without the help of [my counselor] and the whole IvyWise staff,” recalls an NYC-based student who got accepted to Cornell University.

An IvyWise counselor recently worked with a student who attended a tri-state area boarding school and was interested in atmospheric science. The IvyWise team helped him develop his interest in meteorology by identifying a wonderful summer program for him — Hurricane Camp at the University of Miami. IvyWise also suggested that he start two weather-related clubs, one at school and one outside of school. His counselor also guided him to enroll in the most rigorous science courses available at his high school and ultimately build the right college list of schools that would allow him to pursue his passions. All of this targeted interest development led to very successful applications, and he is currently set to attend the University of Michigan, his top choice, in the fall.

IvyWise not only finds commonalities between a student’s interests, but they also offer Research Mentorship , a program that pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to learn how to conduct college-level research, complete 20-plus-page papers, and give them the opportunity to become published researchers before graduating from high school. This gives students a competitive edge and helps them stand out in the admissions process.

Make summers count!

The summer months are a great time for students from competitive high schools to be productive and stand out from their peers. College admissions officers look at how applicants spent their summer breaks — so be thoughtful and impactful when developing your summer plans!

Long vacations and short community service experiences are usually not impressive, as more selective schools want to see commitment, and quality and meaningful experiences that last at least four weeks. While summer 2024 may be winding down, students should start thinking of creative ways to spend summer 2025, as it will be here before they know it! As Dr. Cohen puts it, “Often, interesting summer activities are those the students develop themselves — such as launching or expanding an initiative supporting a local cause, starting and running a small business, or conducting a niche independent research project. We help students think outside the box. I always say, ‘If you can’t find it, found it!’”

Dr. Cohen recalls a student who made the most of her summer: “Our team recently worked with a student from NYC to provide personalized and specific recommendations for extracurricular activities that would leverage her knowledge of French and her interest in medicine. Following our suggestions, she set up a volunteer internship at a local health center, where she spent 6-8 hours per week with a team conducting a study on remote monitoring of hypertension in an underserved community. This community included French-speaking immigrants, allowing her to utilize her language skills. Additionally, the student worked with one of our tutors to raise her ACT score from 29 to 35. She ultimately gained acceptance to Stanford!”

Map out your course selection ASAP

Plan your course load ahead of time, since college admissions committees look at all four years of high school and it’s important to keep up good grades and take rigorous courses. Dr. Cohen says, “Be proactive and go in with a plan. Don’t let high school ‘happen’ to you.” If a student is applying to a highly selective college but has taken only one or two advanced classes while many more were available to them, it is likely that the admissions officer reviewing that applicant will question whether that student is prepared or motivated enough to handle the academic rigors of their institution.

Students can also consider further exploring their interests through courses at local community colleges, academic summer programs at university campuses, or online courses. “Selective colleges want to build well-rounded classes made up of specialists who have defined interests in certain fields or subject areas and have developed that handful of interests throughout high school to become knowledgeable in those subjects — and intend to continue pursuing those interests in college,” says Dr. Cohen.

Clearly, there’s a lot to do. Feeling overwhelmed? We sure would be if we were in high school these days! But expert guidance from teams like IvyWise can help to alleviate the stress. Contact IvyWise today to build a personalized college prep strategy that is manageable and will maximize your chances of admissions success.

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What Do SAT Subscores Mean? Expert Guide

On first glance, your SAT score report may look completely confusing. Altogether, you’ll get a total of 15 distinct scores, or 18 if you take the essay section! While the scores are numerous, they're also helpful. They put your results under the microscope and give you detailed feedback about your performance.

This guide will demystify all these test scores, cross-test scores, and subscores so you can make the most out of your SAT score report. Let’s start with a glossary to help you keep track of all the different score types.

SAT Score Types: A Glossary

These are all the scores that you'll get on your SAT score report. You'll also find out what percentiles your scores represent , or how you did compared to other test-takers in your grade.

Total score: your two section scores added together.
Section scores: your Math score and your Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score from 200 - 800.
Test scores: your Reading, Writing and Language, and Math scores; range from 10 to 40.
SAT essay scores: three scores for Reading, Analysis, and Writing, each between 2 and 8.
Cross-test scores: a score for Analysis in History/Social Studies and a score for Analysis in Science, both between 10 and 40.
Subscores: four subscores for skill areas in Reading and Writing and three for skill areas in Math; range between 1 and 15.

As you can see, there are several score types with various scales. But how do these score types add up to 15 (or 18 with the essay) scores? Check out the chart below for the full breakdown.

SAT Score Ranges: Full Breakdown


1	Total score	Sum of the two section scores	400-1600
2	Section scores	Evidence-based Reading and Writing + Math	200-800
3	Test scores	Reading, Writing and Language, and Math	10-40
3	SAT Essay scores	Reading, Analysis, and Writing	2 - 8
2	Cross-test scores	Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science. These scores are based on selected questions in all three sections.	10-40
7	Subscores	From Evidence-based Reading and Writing: Command of Evidence, Words in Context, Expression of Ideas, and Standard English Conventions. From Math: Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, and Passport to Advanced Math.	1-15

The most important scores for college and the ones with which you’re probably most familiar are your section and total scores. A perfect total score is 1600, and an average SAT score falls somewhere around 1000. Regarding sections, perfect section scores are 800, and average section scores fall around 500.

While the new SAT scale should be relatively familiar to most students, the cross-test scores and subscores are a bit unusual. Let’s take a closer look at what exactly these scores measure and why they’re important to understand.

Like a weird hybrid pluot (plum + apricot), cross-test scores select from across sections to bring you an entirely new species of score.

What Are SAT Cross-Test Scores?

Cross-test scores represent your performance on questions across all three sections, Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. College Board categorizes questions into certain skill areas. The two skill areas that you need to know about to understand cross-test scores are called Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science.

You might be surprised to learn that there are questions in Reading, Writing and Language, and Math that are considered to measure your Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science skills. These skill areas aren’t limited to one section, but rather pop up across the entire SAT.

In reading, Analysis in History/Social or Analysis in Science questions tend to be those based on History/Social Studies or Science passages , respectively. The same goes for the questions in Writing and Language. As for Math, these questions tend to be word problems or data interpretation questions based on graphics.

Here are a few example problems to show you which questions College Board categories as Analysis in History/Social Studies or Science.

These sample questions from Reading are all considered to test your Analysis in History/Social Studies skills.

This example from Writing and Language is categorized as Analysis in Science.

This example from Math is considered to be an Analysis in History/Social Studies question.

You can find more examples by taking a look at the scoring guides to College Board’s free official SAT practice tests . Not only do they help you score your sections, but they also mark the questions that fall into these two skills categories. That way you can calculate your own cross-test scores as you grade your SAT practice tests. I’ll explain how to do this in more detail below, but first, let’s take a look at the other new score type on the SAT, subscores.

SAT subscores are like a photo taken with a macro lens; they reveal your performance in close, sharp detail.

What Are SAT Subscores?

SAT subscores, like cross-test scores, measure your performance on questions that fall into certain skill areas. Unlike cross-test scores, subscores don’t mix and match questions between all three sections. You’ll get subscores for questions in Math and subscores for questions in Evidence-based Reading and Writing.

You’ll get seven SAT subscores. In Math, your subscores will measure these skill areas: Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, and Passport to Advanced Math. In Evidence-based Reading and Writing, your subscores will measure Expression of Ideas, Standard English Conventions, Words in Context, and Command of Evidence.

Of course, you’re not expected to know automatically which questions fall into which skill areas. Let’s take a moment to define each. You can also check out our more detailed guides with sample questions for each section and skill area.

What Are the Seven Subscore Skill Areas?

First, we’ll consider the three skill areas in Math, followed by the four skill areas in Evidence-based Reading and Writing .

#1: Heart of Algebra . These math questions ask you to solve linear equation and linear inequalities, interpret linear functions, and solve linear equation, inequality, or function word problems.

#2: Problem Solving and Data Analysis . These math questions ask you to calculate rates, ratios, and percentages, interpret scatterplots and tables, and draw conclusions from collections of data.

#3: Passport to Advanced Math . These questions ask you to solve quadratic equations, interpret nonlinear expressions, interpret nonlinear equation graphs, solve operations with polynomials, and solve quadratic and exponential word problems.

#4: Expression of Ideas . These (typically Writing) questions ask you to make word choice or structural changes to improve a passage’s organization or impact.

#5: Standard English Conventions : These (typically Writing) questions ask about grammar, usage, sentence structure, and punctuation.

#6: Words in Context . In Reading, these questions ask you to interpret the meaning of a word or phrase or determine how word choice shapes meaning, style, and tone. In Writing, they ask you to add or change a word to improve meaning.

#7: Command of Evidence . These questions are varied. In Reading, they may ask you to state your evidence for your answer to a previous question or to identify how an author uses evidence to support her claims. In Writing, these questions typically ask you to improve the way a passage develops information and ideas. In both sections, they might ask about the relationship between a passage and its accompanying informational graphic.

All of these subscores, along with the cross-test scores and other score types discussed, will show up on your SAT score report. However, they’re not for your eyes only. Your prospective colleges that you’ve indicated as score recipients will also get to see all your scores. These score types are new this year, so how are colleges going to use them as they evaluate you as an applicant?

Just how crucial are your cross-test scores and subscores for college? As it stands now, not very.

How Do Colleges Use Your SAT Cross-Test Scores and Subscores?

According to College Board , your detailed score report is great at “highlighting your strengths and showing colleges that you’ve been building the skills and knowledge you need for college and career.” They’re meant to show that you have skills like Analysis in Science and Command of Evidence to do well in college courses and life in general after high school.

At this point, though, it doesn’t appear that your cross-test or subscores are particularly important for colleges. Many colleges are still catching up to the changes in the new SAT and figuring out which test they’ll accept for Class of 2017 and Class of 2018 students. For now, your section and total scores remain the most important metric for applying to college and determining whether your SAT scores make you a competitive applicant .

Even though these cross-test scores and subscores don’t seem particularly important for college yet, they can still play a very influential role in your SAT prep.

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? We have the industry's leading SAT prep program. Built by Harvard grads and SAT full scorers, the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics, then customizes your prep program to you so you get the most effective prep possible. Along with more detailed lessons, you'll get thousands of practice problems organized by individual skills so you learn most effectively. We'll also give you a step-by-step program to follow so you'll never be confused about what to study next. Check out our 5-day free trial today:

How Are SAT Cross-Test Scores and Subscores Useful?

It may be tempting to look past these cross-test scores and subscores as unimportant, but they can actually be quite useful as feedback for your SAT prep. If you’re retaking the SAT, then you can use these scores to figure out your strengths and weaknesses as a test-taker. If you haven’t taken the SAT yet, then you can calculate these scores on your SAT practice tests to get the same information.

For instance, you may be looking to raise your EBRW score . Your subscores may show that you’re solid on Expression of Ideas questions, but need to study grammar and usage rules to do better on Standard English Conventions questions. On Math , you may be strong on questions in Heart of Algebra and Passport to Advanced Math questions, but need to focus your prep on Problem Solving and Data Analysis problems. Your cross-test scores and subscores point out the question types and skill areas that you should study to maximize your improvement for next time.

As mentioned above, you don’t have to wait until you take the official SAT to get this kind of feedback. You can take the time to calculate your cross-test scores and subscores on your own from SAT practice tests.

Figuring out your cross-test scores and subscores can be time-consuming, but it's well worth it if you're prepping for the SAT.

How to Calculate Your Cross-Test Scores and Subscores from Practice Tests

To score your practice tests, you can consult their accompanying scoring guide. As it turns out, the guide also labels the questions that fall into the various skill areas pertinent to cross-test scores and subscores, like Analysis in Science, Words in Context, and Heart of Algebra. For instance, this example is taken from the scoring guide to College Board's SAT Practice Test 1 and tells you which questions fall into the Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science skills categories:

First, you use your practice test's scoring guide to identify the relevant questions in a skill area. Then you calculate your raw score by simply adding one point for every correct answer. If you’re calculating your raw score for Words in Context questions, for example, then you would locate these questions with the help of the scoring guide and answer key and add one point for every one you answered correctly.

Then you can consult official conversion tables to convert your raw scores into scale scores. As you read above, your cross-test scores get converted into a scale from 10 to 40. Your subscores get converted to a scale between 1 and 15. Below are the cross-test score and subscore conversion tables provided by College Board .

SAT Cross-Test Score Conversion Table (10 - 40)

SAT Subscore Conversion Table (10 - 15)

For an even more detailed list of step by step instructions for calculating your cross-test scores and subscores, you should consult our comprehensive guide on SAT scoring . While this process may feel a bit tedious and time-consuming, it can really be worth it. These scores can give you invaluable insight into your strengths and weaknesses as a test-taker and help you prep smarter for your next test.

Your SAT score report may look like a bunch of confusing numbers at first, but hopefully, now you understand what all those scores mean. Your total scores will fall between 400 and 1600. Your section scores for Math and Evidence-based Reading and Writing range between 200 and 800.

Your cross-test scores and subscores dig deeper into your performance, revealing how well you did on specific skill areas and question types. Cross-test scores, as their name indicates, sample questions across all three subjects. Subscores shed light on questions from Math and Evidence-based Reading and Writing.

While these specific scores don’t seem to be particularly important for colleges yet, they will appear on your SAT score reports and be visible to admissions officers. For now, they’re most useful as feedback for your skills as a test-taker and areas for growth.

Whether you’re looking at your official SAT score report or grading your own practice tests, you should take the time to interpret these scores. The insight they reveal into your strengths and weaknesses can be invaluable feedback as you sharpen your skills for the SAT.

What’s Next?

At this point, all students will be taking the redesigned SAT. If you're one of them, check out our comprehensive guide on how to study for the new SAT . You can also find lots of helpful strategies and study tip by section here .

Just as cross-test scores and subscores can help you study in the most effective way, so too can taking the time to analyze your mistakes. Check out this guide to learn why studying your mistakes is the secret to boosting your scores and how to do it in the most effective way .

Are you wondering how many hours of prep time you need to achieve your target scores? This 6 step guide helps you figure out exactly how long you need to study for the SAT to meet your goals.

Disappointed with your scores? Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must use to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

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Rebecca graduated with her Master's in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has years of teaching and college counseling experience and is passionate about helping students achieve their goals and improve their well-being. She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University and scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT.

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IMAGES

What is a Good SAT Essay Score?
SAT Essay Scores- Score Range, Score Calculation, Colleges, and Samples
SAT Essay Scores Explained
Do colleges care about your SAT essay score?
How to Get SAT Scores, Step by Step
SAT Essay Scores Explained

COMMENTS

What Is the SAT Essay?
College Board. February 28, 2024. The SAT Essay section is a lot like a typical writing assignment in which you're asked to read and analyze a passage and then produce an essay in response to a single prompt about that passage. It gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your reading, analysis, and writing skills—which are critical to ...
Important: Read This Before You Send SAT Scores to Colleges
Call the College Board at (866) 756-7346. Be aware that there is an additional $15 fee for ordering scores over the phone. Pro Tip: You might run across Q&A websites that tell you to simply mail or fax a copy of your printed SAT score report to colleges as a way of sending scores for free. Don't listen to these!
What Colleges Require the SAT Essay?
The SAT Essay used to be required at many top colleges, but it has become optional at many schools. Now, among elite schools, only the University of California schools require the Essay. Other selective colleges like Duke University, Amherst College, and Colby College recommend the Essay, but it's not required.
Understanding SAT Scores
A good SAT score is one that helps you get into a college you want to go to. Your SAT Score Explained. Get information on how to navigate your score and score insights. How Scores Are Calculated. ... Find out who will be able to see your SAT score after test day. Should I Take the SAT Again?
Your SAT Score Explained
The top portion of your score information contains a big black number. This is your SAT score, also referred to as your total score. Next to your score are the numbers 400-1600, indicating that the range of possible scores on the SAT is 400-1600. To the right of your total score is your score percentile, telling you what percentage of ...
SAT Scores
K-12 Educators: SAT Scores. Learn how to access educator score reports, review the score release schedule, help your students interpret their scores, and more. Access your SAT scores, view detailed score reports, find score release dates, and learn what your scores mean.
Understanding your SAT Scores
Watch the video below to understand your score report if you took the SAT on a weekend. The first thing you'll see is your total score, which is a combination of your scores on the Reading and Writing and Math sections. Next, you can understand your Total and Section scores in context by seeing how your scores compare to the average scores of ...
Ultimate Guide to the New SAT Essay
Scores on the SAT Essay range from six to 24. To review a more specific breakdown for each scoring category, see the College Board SAT Essay Scoring Rubric. Is my essay score always included on my score report sent to colleges? Yes, your essay scores will always be reported with your other test scores from that day.
Which Colleges Require the SAT Essay? Complete List
Recommend. Surprisingly (and in contrast to how it's been in the past), top schools mostly do not require the SAT essay. Currently, no Ivy League School requires students to take the SAT with Essay; the same is true for Stanford, Caltech, Duke, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, MIT, Northwestern, NYU, and UChicago. Many of these schools no longer even ...
Everything You Need To Know About The SAT Essay
Every SAT essay is assessed and scored by two separate evaluators. The assessment is based on three categories - Reading, Analysis, and Writing. You can earn a score of anywhere between 1 and 4 in each of these categories. The individual scores are then added together to give you a total score on your essay.
SAT Essay Scores Explained
Instead, a student opting to take the SAT Essay receives 2-8 scores in three dimensions: reading, analysis, and writing. No equating or fancy lookup table is involved. The scores are simply the sum of two readers' 1-4 ratings in each dimension. There is no official totaling or averaging of scores, although colleges may choose to do so.
Do Colleges Want Your SAT Essay Score?
The SAT writing score now counts for less of your overall SAT score because the two main sections of the test are now the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section and the Math section. Your SAT writing score comes from the multiple-choice part of the exam, while your SAT essay score is derived from a new part of the exam.
The CollegeVine Guide to SAT Scores: All Your Questions Answered
SAT Essay Scores. The SAT Essay scores will include three scored dimensions. The dimensions scored are Reading, Analysis, and Writing. Each dimension is scored on a scale from two to eight points. The score report will show the prompt you responded to, your essay itself, and a link to the Essay Scoring Guide.
What's the Average SAT Essay Score? · PrepScholar
The average SAT essay score for students graduating high school in 2020 was 5 out of 8 for Reading, 3 out of 8 for Analysis, and 5 out of 8 for Writing (source: CollegeBoard 2020 Total Group Report). To get a better idea of how frequently different essay scores were assigned, I created several different SAT essay score distribution charts that ...
Online SAT Score Report Help
Go to your report's Score Overview. Click Test Questions near the top of your screen. You'll be prompted to order the service available for your specific SAT test day. If you've already ordered a verification service, you'll see a summary of your questions after you follow the two steps listed above.
The ACT Is Changing: Here's What to Know
In the past, colleges have required optional tests - such as the now-defunct SAT subject tests - or optional test sections, like the essay sections on the old SAT and the current ACT, Zahn says.
Does the SAT Essay Matter? Expert Guide · PrepScholar
The SAT was revised in March 2016. The aspect of the exam that is most changed is the essay. Instead of writing a 25-minute opinion piece, you will have 50 minutes to analyze how the author of a given passage constructs his or her argument. Additionally, instead of having the exam integrated into your composite score, you will receive a ...
SAT School Day with Essay
The SAT Essay is a lot like a typical college writing assignment that asks you to analyze a text. It shows colleges that you're able to read, analyze, and write at the college level. The SAT Essay asks you to use your reading, analysis, and writing skills. You'll be asked to: Read a passage. Explain how the author builds an argument to persuade ...
What is a Good SAT Essay Score?
In 2019, the mean score on the Reading and Writing for the SAT Essay was a 5. For the Analysis section, the mean score was a little lower at 3, simply because Analysis is a skill that high school students spend less time honing than Reading or Writing. For a detailed breakdown of how 2019's test takers performed, here are a few score ...
Can Colleges See How Many Times You've Taken the SAT?
The answer, like most things in the college admissions process, is: "it depends.". Some schools remain test-optional. If you choose not to submit your scores, they can't see how many times you've taken the test. Some test-optional schools require you to submit all your SAT scores — IF you choose to submit scores at all.
First-Year
ACT or SAT scores are not required for first-year students, but you may provide self-reported scores if you would like us to take your scores into consideration when reviewing your application. ... Be thoughtful and use your required essays and your letter of recommendation to highlight your school and community activities, leadership positions ...
Can a high GPA make up for a low SAT score? And do "test-optional ...
Strong testing can play an important role in the process and help confirm your academic success, but strong scores likely won't impress colleges if your grades are low. Likewise, if a college has ...
Which SAT Score Do Colleges Use? · PrepScholar
A college that uses Superscoring would take the 700 on Critical Reading, the 700 on Math, and the 750 on Writing and combine them into your best possible composite score of a 2150 rather than using the slightly lower composite scores of 2060 and 2120 from the two individual test sessions. See this article for a list of colleges that Superscore ...
Interpreting SAT Scores
SAT Essay: Three scores ranging from 2-8; SAT Score Reported Details Score Range; Total score: Sum of the 2 section scores. 400-1600: ... score comparisons, and percentiles can be used to see if your students are on track for college readiness. Score Ranges. Score ranges show how much a student's score might change with repeated testing ...
How to stand out to colleges when attending a competitive high school
During the application season, the entire team of IvyWise counselors meets weekly to review students' applications, including college lists, all essays and supplements, test scores, and more ...
Colleges Requiring All SAT Scores Sent: Complete List
Some colleges require you to send your entire SAT or ACT testing record, even if that means sending not-so-great scores. (This does not apply to any tests taken in middle school (7th/8th grade) or earlier as part of a talent-search program.) Other colleges do not require you to send your full testing record (though they often recommend it ...
What Do SAT Subscores Mean? Expert Guide · PrepScholar
Test scores: your Reading, Writing and Language, and Math scores; range from 10 to 40. SAT essay scores: three scores for Reading, Analysis, and Writing, each between 2 and 8. Cross-test scores: a score for Analysis in History/Social Studies and a score for Analysis in Science, both between 10 and 40. Subscores: four subscores for skill areas ...