SAT Results 2024: Steps to Check Scores, Score Release Dates, Score Report Analysis, Scores for Top Universities

SAT Scores 2024: The College Board releases the score report of the SAT exam on its official website - collegeboard.org. The SAT score report is released 2-4 weeks after the exam has taken place. For SAT exam conducted on December 7, 2024, the scores will be released on December 20, 2024. SAT results can be checked by logging into the College Board account by entering required login credentials.

The SAT total score ranges between 400 - 1600 and is calculated on the basis of section scores, test scores, cross-test scores, and sub-scores. The section scores range from 200 - 800 and are based two sections : Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score, and Math Score. The total score is a combination of these two sectional scores. In the score report, the percentile score of the student is also mentioned. The percentile score gives the percentage of students who scored equal or less than the candidate. 

Any score that is above the average score is considered acceptable enough for most college admissions. The average SAT score is 1050; hence, any candidate who scored much higher than 1050 would be at a competitive advantage in securing admission to the comparatively selective colleges. 

SAT Scores 2024

The College Board provides the SAT results in the form of a score report. The SAT score report mentions the total score of the candidate, which ranges between 400 - 1600 and determines the probability of a candidate securing admission in their preferred college. The score report outlines the section-wise scores which range from 200 - 800 and the test scores which vary from 10 - 40. 

The two sectional scores are : Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score, and Math score. The Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section is based on the scores of the tests: Reading Test, and Writing and Language Test. The evidence-based reading and writing section takes into account skills such as contextual grasp of words, command over evidence, expression of ideas, and hold over Standard English conventions. The Math section score is based on the Math test, including both calculator and non-calculator portions. 

The SAT score types, their score range, and respective content areas are given in the table below. 

Steps to Check SAT Scores 2024

Candidates can check their SAT scores by visiting the official website of College Board and signing in to their College Board account. Students can refer to the steps given below to view their SAT score report.

Step 1 : Students are required to visit the official website of College Board

Step 2 : On the homepage of the website, click on the link - ‘ view score report’ or ‘get your scores’

Steps 3 : Students will be redirected to the Sign In page of the College Board website

Step 4 : Candidates are required to sign in to their College Board account

Step 5 : Students will be able to view their score report after logging in to their College Board account

SAT Score Report 2024

The SAT score report gives the total scores, percentile score, section-wise scores, test scores, cross-test scores and subscores. The following details are mentioned in the SAT score report : 

• Total Score : The total score ranges between 400 - 1600, and is a combination of two sectional scores : Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score, and Math Score. 
• Percentile : The percentile rank gives the percentage of students who scored less than or equal to the score of the candidate. Two types of percentile scores are given in the score report.

1. Nationally Representative Sample Percentiles : This is based on a research study of U.S. students in grades 11 and 12 and are weighted to represent all U.S. students in those grades, irrespective of whether they typically take the SAT exam. 
2. SAT User Percentile :  This is based on the actual scores of students in the past three graduating classes who appeared for the current SAT during high school. 

• Section Scores : The SAT section scores range from 200 - 800 and is given for two sections : Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math. The score of Evidence-Based Reading and Writing is a combination of the scores received in Reading Test and Writing and Language Test. The Math section score is based on the Math test score, that includes both calculator and no-calculator portion. 
• Test Scores : The test scores are given for the three tests : Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. The test score is a number ranging from 10 - 40. 
• Subscores : The SAT subscores range from 1 - 15 and give feedback on student performance in the following areas:

1. Command of Evidence
2. Words in Context
3. Expression of Ideas
4. Standard English Conventions
5. Heart of Algebra
6. Problem Solving and Data Analysis
7. Passport to Advanced Math

• Cross-Test Scores : The cross-test score also ranges from 10 - 40. The cross-test scores are based on more than one test. The two cross-test scores are : Analysis in History/ Social Studies and Analysis in Science. 

SAT Score Release Dates 2024

Candidates can check the score report release dates for the corresponding exams from the table given below. 

Digital SAT Score Report

• The Digital SAT score report will mention the total score which ranges from 400 - 1600.
• The score report of Digital SAT exam will specify the scores of the two sections: 1) Reading and Writing and 2) Mathematics.
• Each of the two sectional scores in Digital SAT ranges from 200 - 800.
• The Digital SAT score report also provides details of the average SAT scores of the candidate’s school, district, state, country and total test takers’ population.
• The Digital SAT exam score report mentions the percentile scores of the candidates with reference to their state, country, and total candidate pool.
• Further, the score report of the Digital SAT test specifies the performance of the student in each section across content areas and skills.
• For instance, in the Math section, the performance score band is given for Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem-solving and data analysis, and geometry and trigonometry.

Digital SAT Benchmark Scores

• The College Board provides specifications of the SAT score benchmarks which indicate a candidate’s college and career readiness. 
• The SAT College and Career Readiness benchmarks help to evaluate the student's progress and growth in high school and their predicted performance at college. 
• The SAT benchmark score for the Reading and Writing section is 480.
• The SAT benchmark score for the Math section is 530.
• The SAT benchmark scores indicate a 75% probability of a student receiving at least a C grade in the first semester of a credit-bearing college program in a related subject.

What is a Good SAT Score?

A good SAT score can be subjective in nature as it depends on the following factors : 

• College SAT Cutoff Score: Highly selective colleges have a higher SAT score requirement. For instance, Ivy League universities require an SAT score that ranges between 1450 - 1570. However, colleges that accept a large number of applicants may have a lower SAT score requirement. Hence, a good SAT score largely depends on the college to which the candidate is applying. 
• College Application Requirements: SAT score is usually one of the many factors that determine the candidate's selection. Other admission criteria include personal essays, GPA (Grade Point Average), extracurricular achievements, letters of recommendation, and samples of academic work. A high SAT score might not suffice if the candidate's other admission documents do not meet the college requirements. Hence, a good SAT score requirement varies according to the student's overall application.  
• Average SAT Score: The SAT score ranges from 400 - 1600. A good SAT score can be any score that is at a competitive advantage compared to the average score recorded for the total candidate pool. A good score is well above the average SAT score of the test takers’ population and is considered acceptable for most college admissions. 

The average SAT score is calculated by adding the SAT scores of all test takers of the graduating class for the specific year and then, dividing the sum of all SAT scores by the number of test takers. SAT exam aspirants can check the average SAT scores of the last 5 years from the table given below. 

How to Send SAT Scores to Colleges?

Students can send their SAT scores to the colleges in which they are applying for admission through their College Board account.  

• Step 1: Students need to sign in to their College Board Account. 
• Step 2: Candidates are required to visit the ‘Send SAT Scores page’. 
• Step 3: Choose the option for a fee waiver if applicable. 
• Step 4: Students will have to select the colleges by searching colleges by name or code. 
• Step 5: Add the selected colleges to the score recipients list. 
• Step 6: Candidates need to send SAT scores to each of the selected colleges.
• Step 7: Students are required to review their order and check out.

Fee for Sending SAT Score to Colleges

Students can schedule for sending of SAT scores to colleges at the time of registration for free. There is no fee for sending SAT scores to colleges within the timeline starting from the SAT registration date till nine days after the SAT test date. 

SAT Score Rush Reporting

Candidates can get their SAT score reports delivered to the colleges faster than the regular timeline of delivery. If a candidate wishes to send their SAT scores early to the colleges to where they are applying, they can opt for rush reporting. There is an additional fee of $ 31 for SAT score rush reporting. 

College applicants need to be mindful of the following factors while opting for rush reporting : 

• SAT rush reports are sent within the period of 1-4 business days (not considering holidays and weekends). 
• SAT rush reports are available only for the scores which have already been released by College Board.
• SAT rush reports cannot be changed or cancelled.
• Candidates are advised to confirm how quickly the scores will be processed by the colleges.
• Further, if a candidate is applying for early decision or early action, they need to confirm whether October and November scores are accepted for meeting college application deadlines. 

Applicants need to follow the usual steps to send SAT scores to colleges and on the ‘review your order’ page, they need to select rush reporting. Candidates can also request for rush reporting through phone (Toll-free: 866-756-7346; International: 1-212-713-7789) or email. 

SAT Score for Ivy League Universities

High-ranking universities such as the Ivy League colleges need an SAT score that ranges from anywhere between 1450 - 1570. 

Top 10 Universities in USA: Average SAT Score

The average SAT score of the graduating class of the top 10 universities in the United States ranges from around 1500 - 1545. The average SAT score of the enrolled students is calculated on the basis of the SAT scores of the admitted students for the particular university. Students can get an idea about the SAT score they need to achieve in order to secure admission to the top 10 U.S. universities from the table given below.