As more colleges remain test optional, students often assume standardized test scores no longer matter for scholarships– but that’s a dangerous assumption to make. While fewer schools require the SAT for admission than in the past, many still use submitted scores to award merit aid. In 2026, a strong SAT score can continue to make a real difference in how much you pay for college. And that means a lot–…

You’ve probably heard classmates or teachers talk about what counts as a “good” SAT score. But the truth is, that number isn’t the same for everyone! It all depends on who you are and where you want to go to college. A score that’s competitive at one school might fall short at another. The real question isn’t what looks good on paper; it’s what score helps you achieve your goals.…

If you’ve got your sights set on the Ivy League, you probably already know that expectations are beyond high. These schools are known for academic excellence, incredible opportunities outside of the classroom, a long list of successful alumni… and extremely selective acceptance rates. But one of the most common questions we hear is also one of the most important: what SAT score do you need to get in? The answer…

If you’ve got your sights set on the Ivy League, you probably already know that expectations are beyond high. These schools are known for academic excellence, incredible opportunities outside of the classroom, a long list of successful alumni… and extremely selective acceptance rates. But one of the most common questions we hear is also one of the most important: what SAT score do you need to get in? The answer…

When I first took the SAT around 20 years ago, I had no idea where that test would take me. And I’ll be honest, my first attempt was not spectacular! I had to put in a lot of effort to raise that score from average to perfect, which opened doors beyond anything I imagined. My SAT score was the key to competitive college admissions, nearly a quarter of a million…

If your SAT score isn’t what you’re hoping for, you don’t have to settle for a low score. In fact, you shouldn’t settle. There’s too much at stake here; your SAT score can make a huge difference on your college applications and scholarship money. But making those big jumps in performance might be easier said than done. The good news is that meaningful improvement is possible if you approach your…

One of the most important things to understand about the SAT is that it doesn’t just give schools an additional opportunity to see your academic performance; it also gives them a way to compare you to other students. What makes you a better choice over another student? Colleges have to ask themselves this question every time they choose someone to admit, and an SAT score in the top percentiles provides…

If you’re preparing for the SAT, part of setting yourself up for success is understanding why you’re taking the test, and what you need the test to do for you. It’s not like you’re taking the SAT for fun, after all– you need a high score to help highlight how competitive of a student you are. If you put in the work to merit a place at a competitive institution,…

If you asked college-bound students to list their greatest fears, receiving a bad SAT score would probably make the cut for most of them. But what is a bad SAT score? How do you understand the numbers on your scorecard in the broader context of college, scholarships, percentiles, national averages, and more?  Join us as we break down the different ways you can measure your SAT score and determine whether…

Here is the basic step-by-step process of how to calculate SAT score for each section, and your overall composite, when doing your own test prep. How To Calculate SAT Score: Step-by-Step Process Add Your Raw Scores Together In short, the amount of questions you get right creates your “raw score.” You receive one point for every correct answer. There are no point deductions for wrong answers, which is why you…