What SAT score do colleges look for?

Colleges look for scores that match their competitiveness, with averages ranging from around 1000-1200 for less selective schools to 1400-1600 for highly competitive universities, often focusing on the middle 50% (25th-75th percentile) of admitted students, but the score is just one part of your application, alongside grades, essays, and activities, with many schools remaining test-optional, notes this PrepScholar blog post.

What SAT scores do most colleges want?

While achieving a score at or above 1470 could strengthen your application depending on the university, keep in mind that this is on the lower end of admitted students' range. Most top universities will require a score closer to the average 75th percentile score of 1550.

Is 1200 a good SAT score?

Yes, a 1200 is a solid, above-average SAT score, placing you in roughly the 74th-76th percentile, meaning you scored better than most test-takers and can be competitive for many state universities and a good range of colleges, but it's generally below the threshold for highly selective or Ivy League schools (where 1400+ is often needed). 

What was Taylor Swift's SAT score?

Taylor Swift's SAT score is not publicly known because she left high school early to pursue her music career and never officially took the SATs for college admission, though she was academically successful in high school, graduating early with a 4.0 GPA before focusing on music. She famously called out a practice test for misquoting her lyrics, highlighting her strong grasp of grammar despite not needing the test.
 

Is a 1450 a bad SAT score?

Yes, a 1450 is a very good to excellent SAT score, placing you in the top 5-10% of test-takers, making you competitive for most universities, including many selective ones, though top-tier Ivies might expect scores above 1500. It's significantly above the national average (around 1050-1060) and demonstrates strong academic ability, but your chances for highly selective schools depend on the specific university's admitted student profile. 

How Colleges Really Look at SAT Scores

What is Elon Musk's SAT score?

While Elon Musk hasn't publicly confirmed his exact SAT score, reliable sources, including biographer Walter Isaacson, suggest he scored around 1400 on the SAT in the late 1980s, which some estimate correlates to an IQ in the mid-130s, though official figures remain unverified. 

Can I get into Harvard with a 1400 SAT?

Getting into Harvard with a 1400 SAT score is extremely difficult and unlikely, as it's well below their admitted student range (typically 1500-1580+), but not technically impossible, with some rare outliers having been accepted by showcasing exceptional achievements in other areas like extraordinary extracurriculars, essays, or overcoming significant adversity, though you're up against thousands of applicants with perfect scores and near-perfect profiles. 

Did Mark Zuckerberg get a 1600 on SAT?

Yes, reports widely state that Mark Zuckerberg scored a perfect 1600 (or sometimes a near-perfect 1590) on his SAT, achieving top marks before attending Harvard University, consistent with his reputation as a gifted student and programmer.
 

How many times has Kim Kardashian SAT for the bar?

Kim Kardashian has taken the official California Bar Exam once (July 2025) and failed, but she previously passed the "baby bar" (First-Year Law Students' Exam) on her fourth attempt in 2021 after failing it three times, demonstrating her persistence in her legal studies. She's continuing her law journey, aiming to pass the main exam in future attempts, as California law allows multiple tries, notes Life & Style. 

What was Kobe Bryant's SAT score?

Kobe Bryant scored a 1080 on the SAT, a respectable score that, along with his high school grades, would have qualified him for many top universities, but he chose to go directly to the NBA from high school, becoming one of the first players to do so in the 90s.
 

What was Bill Clinton's SAT score?

Bill Clinton

The 42nd president of the United States scored a 1032—12 points above average—on his SAT. Still, Clinton excelled at Georgetown University, where he majored in Foreign Service and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Later, Clinton attended Yale Law School and earned a Juris Doctor in 1973.

What is a perfect SAT score in 2025?

According to the College Board's most recent data, the average 2025 SAT score was 1029 (out of a possible 1600). A score of 1350 and above is generally considered to be a very good SAT score as it puts you in the top 10% of test takers.

Can I get into Yale with a 1200 SAT?

Yale SAT Score Analysis

In other words, a 1480 places you below average, while a 1560 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute SAT requirement at Yale, but they really want to see at least a 1480 to have a chance at being considered.

What is the top 1% of SAT scores?

A top 1% SAT score generally starts around 1530 and above, with scores like 1530-1600 placing you in the 99th percentile, indicating exceptional performance, though exact thresholds shift slightly year to year with the test takers. A score of 1450+ is often cited as the top 10% or so, while 1500+ firmly puts you in the top 1-2% for college admissions, with scores like 1560+ often seen as competitive for top universities. 

What SAT score should I not submit?

Some schools (like UMD) do not want a score if it's below their range. They say, “Don't give us a reason to reject you.” Unconn gives less merit if the score isn't at the top of their range. You need to research each school but in general don't submit below 25-50th %tile.

Is 1560 enough for Harvard?

Yes, a 1560 SAT score is excellent and highly competitive for Harvard University, often placing you in the top tier of admitted students, though it doesn't guarantee admission as overall application strength (GPA, essays, ECs) is crucial. Harvard's median score is around 1550, with admitted students typically scoring between 1500-1580, making a 1560 well within the strong range. 

How many times did Michelle Obama take the bar exam?

Michelle Obama took the Illinois bar exam twice, failing the first time but passing on her second attempt, which she found devastating but ultimately insignificant to her future career, according to her book Becoming and legal sites like JD Advising and Bar Exam Toolbox. 

Who's richer, Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian?

Kim Kardashian just pulled ahead of Taylor Swift in terms of net worth — and she did it with her shapewear brand. According to Forbes, the business mogul's fortune has climbed to an estimated $1.9 billion, officially surpassing Taylor Swift's recently reported 1.6 billion net worth.

How did Kim lose 16lbs in 3 weeks?

She lost 16 pounds in 3 weeks to fit into her vintage Met Gala gown. How did Kardashian lose weight? She says she cut carbs and ate “just the cleanest veggies and protein.” She also ran on a treadmill and wore a sauna suit twice a day. Kardashian's 3-week weight loss sparked concern over the impact on mental health.

What was Kanye West SAT score?

Well, Drake came in with a respectable SAT score of 1200 out of 1600, which is above average. However, Kanye West was actually below average and only scored 920 out of 1600 on the SAT and so in this particular battle, Drake definitely takes the cake with two hundred and eighty point higher SAT score than Kanye West.

What was Ben Affleck's SAT score?

Ben Affleck reportedly had a "near-perfect" or "almost perfect" SAT score, rumored to be 1600, on the old 1600-point scale, though the exact score isn't officially confirmed, with sources citing sources like the New York Times on his high aptitude despite poor high school attendance.
 

What is the average SAT score in 2025?

Mean SAT Scores

Average SAT scores for the class of 2025 are 521 in Reading and Writing (RW) and 508 in Math.

Can you get into Duke with a 1400 SAT?

Getting into Duke with a 1400 SAT is a long shot but possible if other parts of your application are exceptional, as the average admitted student scores much higher (around 1520-1570 middle 50%), but Duke is test-optional, so strong essays, extracurriculars, and rigorous coursework could compensate for a lower score. A 1400 puts you below the typical admitted student's profile, so you'd need extraordinary achievements in other areas to stand out against highly qualified applicants. 

What is the lowest SAT Harvard has accepted?

There's no absolute SAT requirement at Harvard, but they really want to see at least a 1500 to have a chance at being considered. Exclusive: Want to learn how to improve your SAT score by 160 points? Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score.