A perfect score ~ above the satellite is 2400; and also for the ACT, that is 36. The national median score because that the sat is 1540 (combining the math, reading, and also writing sections of the test). Because that the ACT, the average score is in between 20 and 21.If her score is in the ballpark the these mean numbers, you"re most likely going come be embraced by fairly a few colleges and also universities — offering that you took college-prep process in high school, made good grades, and also participated in extracurriculars.

The more selective colleges won"t recognize a student through an median score. If your goal is to to visit an Ivy league or equally an overwhelming school, you"ll require an sat or act score that"s over average. Scoring 600 on each of the three parts of the sat (for a an unified score the 1800) puts girlfriend in the top 20% of national test takers; scoring 700 top top each ar (for a an unified score that 2100) puts girlfriend in the optimal 10%.

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Here is a little list of universities and the unofficial estimates of the minimum scores on the SAT and ACT they will accept.

School

Unofficial Minimum satellite Score

Unofficial Minimum action Score

Columbia

2070

28

Duke

2020

29

Florida State

1500

23

Harvard

2200

31

Indiana University

1650

23

John Hopkins

1920

29

Michigan State

1470

23

MIT

2040

31

Northwestern

2010

30

Ohio State

1800

25

Princeton

2080

31

Purdue

1500

23

Rice

1960

30

Southern Methodist University

1710

25

UC Berkley

1890

25

UCLA

1730

24

University that Virginia

1860

27

University the Washington

1600

23

Note that the figures above are all turbulent estimates; few schools publicize an absolute minimum acceptable score, and also factors besides your college entrance test play right into the join process. (If you gain test anxiety and didn"t score so fine on the satellite or ACT, yet you have stellar grades and write an remarkable essay, you could score slightly below minimum and still gain in.)

Scores below 1100 ~ above the sat or a 15 on act are thought about low, and you"ll have a tough time getting embraced to just about any four-year college. You can overcome low scores with great grades and also an superior application, however you might have to take some remedial process as a freshman. As soon as in doubt, take the test a 2nd time. Also if you"re happy v your scores, remember that a an excellent SAT or action score will help you acquire scholarship money.

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You can think around taking the test again because that that factor alone.

If you"re a bad test-taker or really don"t want to take the sat or ACT, note that a growing variety of colleges and universities room making college entrance exams optional. Many of these are little bible colleges, technological colleges, and art schools/music conservatories, yet some big-name universities, including the following, have likewise made the standardized admissions test optional:

Kent State new York university Sarah Lawrence College blacksmith College Texas A&M college of Arizona university of Kansas college of Oregon Wake woodland Wheaton College
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