What is a decent score on the SAT?

Answer 1

Do a bit of homework (yeah, I know, groan-whine-groan). Call the admissions offices of the schools you're interested in and ask them what the median score was for this year's freshmen. As long as you are at the median, your chances of acceptance are solid. However, a higher SAT score can "score" you scholarships, so don't settle for "decent". Prepare for the SAT (and check out the ACT - you may do better on that!) to make sure you score the most points possible. Take a few practice tests - you can attend a free one at your local Kaplan center - to make sure you can handle the last sections of the 4-hour ordeal.

Do your research, and don't settle!

Lighty,
Regents' Scholar, UCSC

Answer 2

Let me give you an estimate of the scores, and you can decide for yourself what a decent score is.

The mean scores per section is approximately 500 each. There are 3 sections, so the average scores for SAT is around 1500. Range of score 600 - 2400.

IMO, anything above 1600 is pretty decent. 1800 would be good. 2000 is great. 2400 is perfect.

Answer 3

This really depends on where you want to go to school and what program you want to get into. Most colleges have published average SAT scores of the students they accept. Some schools may even give the average SAT score for particular programs in their colleges. Check college websites and their printed materials. There is a wide range in acceptable SAT scores for different schools.