Written by Chris Hernandez
A critical step in preparing for the SAT is setting a score goal. To increase your chances of admission to your preferred university, it is recommended that you take the SAT and share your score. While COVID-19 has made this optional, a strong SAT score can make a significant difference when admissions officers evaluate thousands of applications.
 It allows them to compare your performance with other applicants. To increase your chances of success, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the SAT exam and its scoring system. It is crucial to know what score is satisfactory for your academic goals and how to enhance your score if necessary.
The main purpose of this article is to give readers an introduction to the SAT exam and how it is scored, including information on percentile scores. In addition, we will provide a comprehensive list of schools that accept a score of 1100 and those where admission is highly probable.
If you are aiming for a score higher than 1100, we will also offer some advice on how to improve your score. By reading this article, you can take the initial step towards accomplishing your academic objectives and getting into your preferred school.
Note: For students who are especially serious about scoring well on the SAT, check out Amikka Learning's online test prep courses here!
To grade the SAT exam, a 1600-point scale is employed, and it is classified into two sections, namely Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. Each of these sections is marked between 200 and 800, and the essay section, which is optional, is graded separately.Â
Your score is calculated based on the number of right answers you gave, and there is no deduction for wrong answers. It is impossible to score zero on the SAT exam.
According to the College Board's 2020 SAT Annual Report, around 2.2 million high school graduates took the SAT exam, and on average, their composite score was 1051. The report further revealed that the average score for Reading & Writing was 528, while the average score for Mathematics was 523. Nonetheless, one must not solely rely on the average score.
Percentile scores are crucial as they indicate a student's performance in comparison to other test-takers on the same day.
A percentile score of 1100 on the SAT puts you at the 58th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 58% all 2 million+ test takers. Earning an 1100 makes you eligible to apply to most colleges and universities as a decent candidate.
Therefore, percentile score serves as a better measure of a student's performance on the SAT exam. Although the table given below provides an idea of what is considered excellent, good, and poor SAT scores, the requirements of the chosen school also play a significant role.
The table below provides an idea of what is considered great, good, and bad SAT scores. However, your chosen schoolâs requirements play a significant role.
 |
SAT COMPOSITE SCORE |
PERCENTILE SCORE |
Great |
Between 1350 and 1600 |
Between 90th and 100th |
Good |
Between 1050 and 1350 |
Between 50th and 90th |
Bad |
Between 600 and 1050 |
Anything below 50th |
If you have a score of 1100 on your SAT, it means you are average and falls between the categories of bad and great. However, your options for universities may be limited based on the average SAT scores of students they enroll.
While some schools may require higher SAT scores, other factors such as strong academic achievements, positive recommendations, and participation in extracurricular activities can also boost your chances of admission.Â
Although some schools may accept students with 1100 SAT scores, the probability of admission is low based on average scores of accepted students.
Therefore, if your aim is to attend these universities, it's advisable to work on achieving a higher SAT score for better chances of admission. Even a minor increase to a 1200 SAT score could go a long way if these are your top choice schools.
SCHOOL |
SAT Average |
Location |
1170 |
Athens, Ohio |
|
1175 |
Hamden, Connecticut |
|
1160 |
Denton, Texas |
|
1160 |
Arlington, Texas |
|
1145 |
Long Beach, California |
The average SAT scores of the following schools are approximately 1100, and if you decide to apply to them, your chances of being accepted are fairly good. However, if you manage to increase your SAT score by 200 points, your likelihood of being admitted will greatly improve, and you may even have a near-certain chance of acceptance at most schools.
SCHOOL |
SAT Average |
Location |
1105 |
Greenville, North Carolina |
|
1105 |
Tallahassee, Florida |
|
1100 |
Indianapolis, Indiana |
|
1098 |
Norfolk, Virginia |
|
1095 |
San Marcos, Texas |
|
1090 |
Atlanta, Georgia |
|
1081 |
Greensboro, Noth Carolina |
If you have a SAT score of 1100, you have a good chance of being accepted into the schools listed below. It is likely that your application will be approved if you decide to apply.Â
Furthermore, if you can improve your SAT score, the schools that you consider as backups or safety schools will become even more attractive. It is recommended that you aim to increase your score to improve your chances of acceptance.
SCHOOL |
SAT Average |
Location |
1040 |
El Paso, Texas |
|
1035 |
Sacramento, California |
|
1030 |
Northridge, California |
|
1017 |
Indiana, Pennsylvania |
|
992 |
Hayward, California |
|
990 |
Union, New Jersey |
|
985 |
Los Angeles, California |
In case you discover that the college of your dreams demands a higher SAT score than what you have achieved, do not lose hope.
Although enhancing your SAT score might seem like a challenging task, it should not feel like an insurmountable obstacle. Amikka Learning is there to support you. Our principal objective is to assist their students in gaining admission to their preferred universities.
Get a free consultation to help you prepare for the SAT or book a tutor who can help you get your score up.