What is the minimum score on the SAT that you could make to go to a university?

Question

What score do I need to make to go to a University? Because now they have a math, verbal, and critical reading. I took a practice test and scored a 480 on math, 400 on critical reading, and last a 370 on verbal. It is a total of 1250. Does that count as good or bad or fair? What scores are the best to have as a minimum?

Answer 1

Well you said it was just a practice test, right? PSATs are often just a little bit harder than the real SAT, but don't worry TOO much about it, because your acceptance (or rejection) is based on a lot of other stuff in your application. Colleges don't look at JUST your SAT. If you don't do well on the SAT but are a straight A student, do a lot of volunteer work, etc. You'd probably still get accepted. Most college sites tell you the average score of their students, but that's just an average, that means there are students that get below that score as well. So go to the websites of the colleges you're interested in and look on there. You can also contact other students at that school and ask them.

Your scores don't sound too bad, but they probably could be a little bit better for when you start applying. I suggest you take the SAT as soon as you can and really try hard to prepare for it. You've already taken the practice test, so you know what to expect. If you don't do as well as you'd like, or even if you did do well but think you can do better, feel free to take the test again. You can take the SAT as many times as you want. Then take your highest score from each section and combine it for your total score. So if you get a higher score on reading and verbal the second time but your math score drops, you'd just take the overall highest score from each section as your total score. Colleges don't ask for what you scored each time, only the highest.

If you still don't do as well as you'd like after taking it multiple times, concentrate on other parts of your application and really try to make yourself look good in other ways. Join clubs, be active in the community, do well in your classes, etc. Colleges will see that. So while you might only have a 1250 on your SAT, they know that it's just one test and won't judge you on it. But if you just hastily fill out the rest of the application, forget things, make petty spelling and grammar mistakes, and more, then you're going right in the reject bin. So take your time on it!!! Proofread it, double check it, spend time on rough drafts so you don't forget things or need to scribble stuff out or use white-out. Also spend A LOT of time on your essay. Make it the best essay it possibly can be without being too long and wordy or too short, and don't choose anything controversial. Write what you think they want to read.

Basically, don't worry too much about the SAT, think about everything else too. Take the test as many times as you need to, and if you do good, great, if not, just concentrate on everything else to make up for it. But definately check with the college. Some private colleges and ivy league colleges do have a minimum score, but most do not. They will just provide an average which is where most students fall. But score isn't everything. I know someone who got a 1490 (out of 1600), a GREAT score, but got turned down from many colleges because he didn't have any clubs, extracurricular activities or anything. But I only got an 1270 (out of 1600) which is a little below average, but was accepted to every college I applied to and was offered thousands of dollars in grants and scholarships from each because I did so much volunteer work and was so involved with a variety of clubs, I also had great reccomendations.

So try to be just a well-rounded student overall and you'll be fine. College isn't as hard to get into as many people might think it is as long as you try your best. GOOD LUCK!!!!



Here's a response that I left to someone's question about "What are the best books for preparing for the SAT?" a little while ago. It might help.

A variety, don't rely on just one book! Go to your local library, they should have at least 10 different SAT books. You can also get little novels that use SAT-type words to get you familiar with them and see them in a simpler context (like a short story instead of just an analogy question). Try all kinds of different books to help you the most. Every SAT is different, there's thousands of versions of the same test, so you need to be prepared for everything.

Don't worry so much about it though, it's not really as hard as many people assume it is. It's a "Reasoning" test, so they really just want to see how good you are at reasoning and finding out the answer to something, it's not about just knowing a whole lot. So take your time and really read each question. Just don't read into it too much because a lot of them are designed to trick you, so go with your gut feeling. And if you really don't know, don't just pick any old answer! I'm sure you heard all that in school though, so just relax and be confident that you'll do well, and you should do fine.

Another tip is to get a good night's sleep and eat a breakfast high in protein in the morning to help you be as awake as possible. It's better to get 8 or 9 hours of sleep the night before than stay up all night cramming last minute facts and ideas into your head. Also bring a bottle of water with you to take the test and dress comfortably (nothing that will distract you like uncomfortable shoes or belts or anything). (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArfG1Klyk_fCeCdzkhAVyITsy6IX?qid=20060717103049AApSrVM)

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What is the minimum score on the SAT that you could make to go to a university?
What score do I need to make to go to a University? Because now they have a math, verbal, and critical reading. I took a practice test and scored a 480 on math, 400 on critical reading, and last a 370 on verbal. It is a total of 1250. Does that count as good or bad or fair? What scores are the best...

Answer 3

With Critical Reading + Math scores, the lowest SAT acceptance score that I have seen is 900. You need to work on your Math and Critical Reading scores. It's good to have at least 1000 out of 1600 as a minimum.

Most colleges are still not considering the Writing section, which is why I'm only talking out of 1600.

Answer 4

You can get into a University with a low score. They also look heavily upon essays, AP's, community service, extracurriculars and the like, but no offense, a 1250 is low. I think the average is around a 1530. So, I would suggest doing some studying to get your score a little closer to that average. Just must sure your involved in other activities. I've already taken my SAT's and ACT's and I know how stressful scores can be. Good luck with the college process.

Answer 5

shoot for the 80%-85% range. that's about a 2000. it's a solid score. colleges stopped relying solely on sat's long ago but it's still a major factor and probably the first thing they look at. if you have other things that make your application look good a weak sat score could be forgiven. right now you're at a 52%. that's very weak. strong gpa (3.5+) and lots of diverse extra-curriculars are the real key to getting into college. so many students have similar test score that colleges start to look at the actual student and what he/she can bring to the university.
some schools do have minimum scores they require for entrance but it varies by school and it's usually not easy info to come by. but ask around. e-mail counselors at the school you want to go to. they are your best bet to finding out what you need to get into that school.
don't discount cummunity college or state college. often you get a better education because class sizes are smaller and you can get more individual attention from the teacher.

Answer 6

Apply to a state school, they'll accept anybody.

As far as how good your score is, on the old scale about 1000 out of 1600 was average. Your score translates to close to 835 on that scale. Work on your test taking, buy a SAT prep book, and take the test a few times to try to get better scores.

Answer 7

If you go to a community college first... and do well... many universities will accept transers without the SAT or ACT...

but be warned... as a freshman in a large university... you may be in classes of 100 or 300 students... and the professor's job is to weed out those who cannot teach themselves with minimal guidance from anyone else.... because those are the ones that will succeed in the PhD programs.

Answer 8

it depends on what kind of school u go to. community colleges around here don't even require the sat. judging by ur scores, ur not looking at an ivy league, but there are colleges that don't require very high scores. these schools often aren't very reputable, but u still get a college education.

Answer 9

Everywhere is different, just go to the website of a university you like and look under admission requirements.

From what i've seen in my college search-everyone says 1100 but i think its just for math and verbal.

Answer 10

1250 is actually pretty low, no offense.. since it is out of 2400. As minimum scores for any university, i would say about maybe a 1450+. hope you do well on your SATs. good luck !

Answer 11

i didnt even take the SAT or ACT and got into a good school