SAT Cutoff for US universities ranges from a score scale of 1200-1350. SAT Score is one of the major criteria for shortlisting candidates for university admission. Thus, a candidates willing to enroll themselves must aim for a SAT score that is 1500-1600. The SAT score for top US universities have a high score range. Apart from SAT scores, universities also consider other variables such as; athletics & arts, service & social justice, essays & personal statements. An appropriate SAT score portrays that the candidate can live upto the accuracy of school scholastic. Generally top colleges have a high SAT exam cutoff scores.
What is a SAT Cutoff?
A SAT cutoff is a score range that decides whether a candidate is eligible to enroll in a particular university. The minimum passing SAT scores, as defined by the College Board, is 400. However, there is no defined SAT cutoff for admission or scholarship. Moreover, the SAT cutoff varies based on the college and course a candidate wants to take.
However, each institution, college, or business school has a common SAT exam cutoff for all applicants. You are advised to work hard enough to get at least 1200-1350 SAT cutoff if you wish to enrol in the entry-level undergraduate programs. With a score in this range, you will be placed in the 75th to 90th percentile, which means that you have done better than 75% to 90% of test-takers, respectively.
What do SAT Scores Provide?
With good SAT scores, candidates can apply for an SAT scholarship. There are numerous scholarships that are exclusively based on SAT scores. There are some SAT-accepting colleges in the USA that provide automatic scholarships on the basis of SAT Scores. Additionally, academic performances like a solid GPA (above 2.8 or 3.0) and an exceptional academic record add to the benefits.
Section-wise Average SAT Score
The SAT score is calculated as the sum of the scores achieved in its 2 sections: Evidence-based Reading and Writing and Math. What constitutes a “good” SAT score cannot be defined, as it varies from college to college. Mentioned below are the section-wise SAT scores as presented by the College Board:
| Section | Average Score for US Universities |
|---|---|
| Total Score | 1400+ |
| Maths | 530+ |
| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section | 500+ |
If you are willing to enroll in top universities globally are required to have at least a 1200 composite score on the SAT. The top US universities like Harvard University, Yale University, MIT, University of Pennsylvania accept a SAT score of 1500. Moreover, you also have to cross the sectional cut-off, the average of which is 680 in Maths and 600 in EBRW.
Note: Clearing the SAT cut-off does not guarantee admission. You must have a good academic background, which includes GPA and meet the course-specific requirements of the university.
Average SAT Score in the USA
The USA is home to some of the top universities in the world, which consistently rank high in prestigious rankings like the QS and Times Higher Education. These universities subsequently have a very low acceptance rate, hence making the SAT score requirement high. The universities include the Ivy League Universities like Harvard, Stanford, and others like Duke University and the University of Texas.
- There is no official SAT cut-off for Harvard, but you must have at least 1460 SAT score to have a chance at being acknowledged. Moreover, the 75th percentile Harvard SAT score is 1580. To put it another way, 1460 brings you below average, while 1580 will move you up the average.
- MIT is extremely selective. The average SAT score combined at MIT is 1535 out of 1600. The 25th percentile new MIT SAT score is 1500, and the 75th percentile New SAT score is 1570. In other words, 1500 on the New SAT places you below average, while 1570 will move you up to above average.
The table below provides the average SAT scores for admission to top universities in the USA.
| Universities | Ranking (U.S. News) | SAT Score Cutoff for US Universities (Average) |
|---|---|---|
| Princeton | 1 | 1505-1570 |
| Harvard | 2 | 1470 |
| Columbia | 3 | 1505 |
| MIT | 4 | 1500-1570 |
| Yale | 4 | EBRW: 720-770 Math: 740-790 |
| Stanford | 6 | 1505 |
| UChicago | 6 | 1510-1560 |
| Penn | 8 | 1470-1550 |
| Caltech | 9 | 1545 |
| John Hopkins | 9 | 1450 |
| Northwestern | 9 | 1490 |
| Duke | 12 | 1450 |
| Dartmouth | 13 | 1500 |
| Brown | 14 | 1420 |
| Vanderbilt | 14 | 1505 |
| Rice | 16 | 1470-1570 |
| WUSTL | 16 | 1520 |
| Cornell | 18 | 1480 |
| Notre Dame | 19 | 1475 |
| UCLA | 20 | 1500 |
| emory | 21 | 1435 |
| UC Berkeley | 22 | 1330-1530 |
| Georgetown | 23 | 1380-1550 |
| University of Michigan | 24 | 1435 |
| USC | 24 | 1440 |
The composite scale and segments covered on the new SAT score pattern varies widely. The redesigned SAT puts more of an emphasis on the skills, knowledge, and understanding needed to succeed in college. According to the SAT college criteria for 2022, an applicant must score in the 75th percentile to be accepted into a highly selective university. Table mentioned below portrays percentile and average SAT score for US universities:
| School | 25th Percentile SAT Score | 75th Percentile SAT Score | Average SAT Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton | 1460 | 1570 | 1510 |
| Harvard | 1460 | 1570 | 1510 |
| Columbia | 1450 | 1570 | 1510 |
| MIT | 1510 | 1570 | 1540 |
| Yale | 1460 | 1570 | 1515 |
| Stanford | 1440 | 1570 | 1500 |
| Chicago | 1500 | 1570 | 1530 |
| Penn | 1450 | 1560 | 1500 |
| Caltech | 1530 | 1560 | 1540 |
| Johns hopkins | 1470 | 1570 | 1520 |
| Northwestern | 1440 | 1550 | 1490 |
| Duke | 1480 | 1570 | 1520 |
| Dartmouth | 1440 | 1560 | 1500 |
| Brown | 1440 | 1570 | 1500 |
| Vanderbilt | 1460 | 1560 | 1510 |
| Rice | 1470 | 1570 | 1520 |
| WUSTL | 1480 | 1560 | 1520 |
| Cornell | 1400 | 1560 | 1480 |
| Notre Dame | 1400 | 1550 | 1470 |
| UCLA | 1280 | 1530 | 1400 |
| Emory | 1360 | 1530 | 1440 |
| UC Berkeley | 1310 | 1530 | 1420 |
| Georgetown | 1380 | 1550 | 1460 |
| University of Michigan | 1340 | 1530 | 1430 |
| USC | 1360 | 1530 | 1440 |
US Universities Without SAT
Some US universities have made the SAT optional. A list of US universities without SAT are:
- Cornell University
- NYU
- Brown University
- California Institute of Technology
- Vanderbilt University
SAT exam for US universities is taken by candidates to get admission into top universities. Students should aim to achieve a score between 1500-1600.
FAQs
Ques: Is 1400 is a good score in SAT exam?
Ans: It is important for applicants to remember that there is no official cutoff score for the SAT. The majority of prestigious schools and institutions require between 4-6 weeks to review an application, thus candidates are urged to send their results well in advance.
Ques: Is 75th percentile good for SAT?
Ans: Depending on how competitive the application pool is, the bar for a decent SAT score rises significantly. To achieve at least the 75th percentile, or 1200 or greater, is often preferable.
Ques: What is the minimum SAT score for Harvard?
Ans: In reading and writing, and Maths section students should score in the range of 730-780 and 750-800 respectively.
Ques: Is SAT Subject Test required for Stanford University?
Ans: No, SAT Subject Test is not required for Stanford University.
Ques: Does Harvard accept 1600 SAT score?
Ans: Yes, Harvard University accepts 1600 SAT scores.
Ques: Is SAT necessary for Cornell University?
Ans: No, SAT scores are not necessary for Cornell University. However, students can submit SAT scores to Cornell University.
Ques: Can I get into foreign universities without SAT?
Ans: Yes, students can get into foreign universities without SAT
Ques: Does NYU require SAT?
Ans: No, SAT score is not necessary to get into NYU.
Ques: Can I study in USA without SAT?
Ans: Yes, candidates can study in the USA without SAT as some universities do not require SAT scores. Moreover, some universities also accept ACT scores.
Ques: Is SAT compulsory for US 2023?
Ans: SAT is not compulsory for all US universities.
Ques: What is the SAT cutoff for MIT?
Ans: Average SAT cutoff score for MIT ranges from 1500-1570.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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