Can You Get the Highest SAT Score? A Guide to SAT Scoring

The very mention of SAT scores can cause excitement or dread in most students. It has become a crucial part of students’ journey, and now many worry about how their scores might influence their future. Like your peers, you may also be curious about the SAT score reporting and want to know how many points you need to be among the top scorers.

So, in this post, we will untangle the mysterious SAT scores system and also explore methods you can use to get the highest results. Sit tight and enjoy the ride.

What Is the Highest SAT Score, and Can You Really Get It?

Source: The College Board

The highest SAT score possible is 1600. This is the number that many students dream of achieving, but only a few actually manage to do it. Being able to hit that would put you in the league of legends next to Bill Gates (whose score was 1590), and that’s definitely something. So, can you really do it? Yes, of course! A simple Google search will show you that hundreds of people have achieved perfect SAT scores since the test was first introduced. And if they can do it, so can you. 

Of course, top achievers had some help with creating the best study plans and developing good study habits that made them better than the average (we will look at those habits later). Will it be easy? The honest answer is no, but if you want to get the max SAT score, you have to put in some effort.

The SAT Scoring Explained

The total SAT scoring is based on a number of different components: 

• Total score. The total score range starts from 400 (the lowest SAT score) and goes up to 1600. It is based on your test scores from two sessions, the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and the Math section score. Since your performance on each will be used to determine your final score, it’s important to prioritize these sections during your practice tests.
• Section score. The section score has a scale from 200 to 800. You get one score for the number of questions answered correctly in both the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math sections. 
• Test scores. The test scores range from 10 to 40 and depend on the number of correct answers in Reading, Maths, and Reading and Writing scored. The more questions you answer correctly, the higher your test score will be.
• Cross-test scores. Ranging from 10 to 40, your cross-test scores show how good you are at using your History/Social Studies analysis skills to arrive at the correct answer or conclusion. To do this, you have to answer the questions from three tests (Maths, Reading, Writing, and Language). 
• Subscores. Being on a scale of  -15, your subscores show your skills in seven specific areas: Words in Context, Command of Evidence, Heart of Algebra, Expression of Ideas, Passport to Advanced Maths, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, and Standard English Conventions.

In addition, you will get your percentile rank, which measures your performance and scores against the other test takers’ results. Despite the number of times you take the SAT test, you will get a score range that shows average scores from all the tests.

The Average SAT Score for College Admissions 

Source: The College Board

The average SAT scores for college admissions will vary based on the school you are applying to and the number of applicants applying at the same time. Keep in mind that the same school can have different score ranges each year. The best approach is to aim for a score that places you in the 75th percentile or higher. 

Also, you want to check out the admitted students’ profiles from the website of your dream college. This gives you a clue of what your scores should look like. In addition, you will learn about the other admission requirements.

Source: Florida State University

Schools With the Highest SAT Requirements for College Admissions

Lately, there has been an increase in the number of schools that no longer require SAT scores from college applicants. Still, there are some that accept your SAT score results even if they do not rely on them to determine your eligibility for college admissions. Here are some of these schools and their requirements:

• University of Chicago (Il) with an average SAT score of 1545 (test-optional).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology requires standardized tests and uses your ACT score and SAT result for admission purposes. The average SAT score is 1543. 
• Georgia Institute of Technology has an average SAT score of 1435-1530 (required).
• Purdue University, though test-optional in recent years, has reverted to requiring SAT or ACT test scores for admissions. With an average score of 1317 and a very competitive pool, you will need at least 1200. 
• Auburn University at Montgomery with an average SAT score of 1240 -1370 (international students are required to get a minimum score of 860 in combined Critical Reading and Critical Math score, with a sub-score of 450 in the Critical Reading section).
• Florida Atlantic University requires an average SAT score of 1010-1240, so you need to achieve a bit higher than that to gain an edge over the other candidates.

Do note that while some of the schools on this list that require the SATs or ACTs do not have a cutoff mark for admissions, the average scores are quite high, and the acceptance rates are very low. That means that most people with scores below that range have lower chances of getting in. So, it’s better to aim above the average SAT scores. 

5 Steps to Getting the Highest SAT Score Possible

Every year, millions of students apply to several state universities or colleges, hoping to be among the lucky ones who get in. Yet, not everyone makes it, and some will have to try more than once. But you don’t have to struggle. Here are a few tips to be among the top scorers. 

#1 Set a Target 

The only way to get the highest SAT score is to set 1600 as your target and then work towards it. This might sound like the usual motivation talk, but it does help to have a target or goal for your test. Thus, you sharpen your focus and can easily stay on track. Remember, though, you have to really want it because that’s the only way you will be able to put in the required effort consistently.

#2 Find the Right Study Material

Just like you wouldn’t go to the farm without any tools, you need to approach your SAT prep by getting the right study material. They include practice tests, preferably those from previous official exams. Some students also opt for an AI-driven study tool to follow a personalized study plan that gives tailored feedback and suggestions for improvement.

#3 Identity Your Weaknesses and Conquer Them

Everyone has their weaknesses, including you. Students who ignore their mistakes often end up with the lowest SAT scores. So, be honest when you get the wrong answers in your study or practice tests. Dig deep and uncover why you got that wrong, identifying the patterns in your weaknesses so you can strategize. Now, you want to prioritize those areas and pay more attention to them during study time. Another option is creating personalized flashcards to study more efficiently.

#4 Get Help

Okay, the truth is that sometimes you need help. Sure, some students get high SAT scores just due to having really good self-study habits, but everyone is different. The good news is that there are affordable SAT tutoring plans that you can take advantage of right from the comfort of your home. 

#5 Leave No Questions Unanswered

Answer as many questions as possible, which goes for all the different types of questions. Every student who got a perfect ACT score said they made sure not to skip any questions, except maybe just one or two in no more than two tests. Even when you are not sure of what the correct answer is, you should try guessing instead of leaving the space blank.

Conclusion 

Getting the highest SAT scores will demand a lot of hard work, sacrifices, and focus from you. But if you never give up and continue to put in consistent effort every day, you will be able to exceed your own expectations and smash the limits. So, start now.