Wondering if a 1590 SAT Score is good enough for your dream college?
- Understanding the SAT Scoring System: Find out how a 1590 score fits in the standard 400 to 1600 SAT scoring range and why it’s considered in the top percentile.
- 1590 Score Percentile: Discover what the 99+ percentile range means for a student with a 1590 SAT score.
- Colleges Considering a 1590 Score: Explore the opportunities that a 1590 SAT score offers, including college admissions and scholarships.
A 1590 SAT Score is not just good; it’s an exceptional achievement that opens numerous academic doors. Let’s get started.
Understanding the SAT Scoring System
The College Board’s SAT is a globally recognized college admission test, designed to assess a high school student’s readiness for college through a score ranging from 400 to 1600. This system uses two major sections to derive the final score: Reading & Writing (also referred to as Evidence-Based Reading and Writing or EBRW) and Math. Each of these sections contributes to half of the total score, using a scale from 200 up to 800 points.
To further corroborate this primary score, SAT also includes an optional Essay section and subscores. The Essay section gives a separate score, and isn’t considered in the primary 1600 score scale. The subscores give additional insight into a student’s strengths and weaknesses, further breaking down the main sections into parts like ‘Words in Context’, ‘Command of Evidence’, or ‘Passport to Advanced Math’, etc.
When it comes to the question of a 1590 score on the SAT, it’s important to fully understand where it falls on this scoring system. Some may misinterpret a 1590 as one of the lowest possible scores due to the misconception that the SAT score is measured on a 0 to 1600 scale, rather than 400 to 1600. This is a fallacy. A score of 1590 is in fact a near-perfect score, falling into the cream 1%, within the 99-99+ percentile of all test-takers.
The Role of Percentiles
A percentile rank is a measure used to compare test scores in a given set. For the SAT, it represents the percentage of students whose score is equal to or less than yours. Consequently, with a 1590 SAT score, you’re not just surpassing the majority but also place ahead of 99% of all other test-takers. To put it simply, if 100 students took the test, you as a 1590 scorer, would theoretically rank higher than 99 of them.
Is 1590 a Good SAT Score?
In the quest to comprehend ‘Is 1590 a good score on the SAT?’, one must acquaint oneself with average scores and percentiles. To give some context, the average SAT score, according to the College Board data of 2019, is 1059. A perfect score is quite rare, with only around 500 test-takers out of about 2.1 million achieving the full 1600 in 2018. Hence, against this backdrop, a score of 1590 can’t be described as merely ‘good’. It’s sensational!
National and Statewide Averages
Understanding the national average gives students a perspective on how their score stands in terms of the entire nation. Meanwhile, the statewide averages are insightful for potential state-based scholarships, in-state university competition, and a comparison amongst immediate peers. Nevertheless, a 1590 SAT score surpasses both these averages outstandingly.
Comparative Advantage
Having a high SAT score like 1590, brings immense leverage when applying to competitive colleges and universities. Most universities have a scoring range, generally, the 25th to 75th percentiles, they accept. A 1590 SAT score not only falls at the extreme upper end of these ranges but also outperforms them for all but the most competitive Ivy League schools.
1590 SAT Score Percentile
A 1590 SAT score belongs to the elite 99 to 99+ percentile. Plainly speaking, this means you scored better than 99% of all other test takers. This substantial achievement is not merely impressive on a personal level, but it holds significant weight in both, national and state-by-state comparisons.
National Perspective
In terms of national percentile rankings, you’re at the pinnacle. You didn’t just surpass the national average, but are amongst the highest scoring 1% of the nation. This gives you a competitive edge when it comes to college applications, particularly when applying to highly selective colleges.
State-by-state Comparison
Each state tends to have its average SAT scores and percentiles. It’s crucial to bear in mind, however, that while statewide averages and percentiles may sway slightly from state to state, a 1590 score remains top-notch irrespective of the region. In any state, a 1590 SAT score will place you among the highest percentile of test-takers.
For more information about improving your SAT score we recommend checking out: The College Board Website
SAT Scores 400 to 1600
| 400 | 410 | 420 | 430 | 440 |
| 450 | 460 | 470 | 480 | 490 |
| 500 | 510 | 520 | 530 | 540 |
| 550 | 560 | 570 | 580 | 590 |
| 600 | 610 | 620 | 630 | 640 |
| 650 | 660 | 670 | 680 | 690 |
| 700 | 710 | 720 | 730 | 740 |
| 750 | 760 | 770 | 780 | 790 |
| 800 | 810 | 820 | 830 | 840 |
| 850 | 860 | 870 | 880 | 890 |
| 900 | 910 | 920 | 930 | 940 |
| 950 | 960 | 970 | 980 | 990 |
| 1000 | 1010 | 1020 | 1030 | 1040 |
| 1050 | 1060 | 1070 | 1080 | 1090 |
| 1100 | 1110 | 1120 | 1130 | 1140 |
| 1150 | 1160 | 1170 | 1180 | 1190 |
| 1200 | 1210 | 1220 | 1230 | 1240 |
| 1250 | 1260 | 1270 | 1280 | 1290 |
| 1300 | 1310 | 1320 | 1330 | 1340 |
| 1350 | 1360 | 1370 | 1380 | 1390 |
| 1400 | 1410 | 1420 | 1430 | 1440 |
| 1450 | 1460 | 1470 | 1480 | 1490 |
| 1500 | 1510 | 1520 | 1530 | 1540 |
| 1550 | 1560 | 1570 | 1580 | 1590 |
| 1600 |
Difficulty of Achieving a 1590 SAT Score
Accomplishing a 1590 SAT score is a challenging feat, highlighting the test-taker’s dedication and extraordinary academics. The magnitude of the task of achieving this score is characterized by three essential traits: average score improvements, intensity of study required, and the rarity of this score.
Average Score Improvements
Typically, students may improve their SAT score from their initial attempt through successive retakes. However, even in the case of improvement, reaching a score as high as 1590 is a mammoth task. On average, students might see improvements around the 100-200 point range, beginning from an already high score.
Intensity of Study Required
To achieve a score as high as 1590, a fathomless level of understanding and mastery over both EBRW and Math sections is crucial. This score typically demands concerted practice, strategic study, and time management skills coupled with profound knowledge.
Rarity of the Score
As previously stated, a 1590 score is a rare achievement. Only a minute percentage of students attain a score in this range, highlighting both the difficulty and the prestige associated with earning this score. In conclusion, a 1590 score is not just a testament to academic prowess, but a symbol of dedication, effort, and superior skills in problem-solving and understanding.
Conversion of 1590 SAT Score to ACT
It’s not uncommon for students to take or be more familiar with the ACT, another standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. Here, it becomes crucial to understand how a 1590 score translates to the ACT scale. Both tests do hold differences, yet a broad comparison still provides meaningful insights.
The official concordances released by the College Board and the ACT place a 1590 SAT score around a 35 or 36 ACT score. This implies that if you scored 1590 on the SAT, you could expect to score around 35 or 36 were you to take the ACT – keeping other things constant.
Matching SAT and ACT Scores
Though the SAT and ACT measure the same educational content, they articulate differently. Yet, when it pertains to high scores like 1590, the comparison is relatively straightforward as they both depict exceptional performance.
- 1590 SAT Score: Roughly corresponds to a 35-36 ACT score
Speaking in percentiles also affirm this conversion: an SAT score of 1590 puts students in the 99th percentile; a 35 or 36 ACT score does the same. Hence, naturally, students getting a 1590 on the SAT can predict indicative equivalent performance on the ACT.
Considering Colleges with a 1590 SAT Score
A pressing question that arises for students with a colossal 1590 score is – “What colleges can I get into with this score?” This score is so remarkable that it practically unlocks the doors to all universities, even the most selective Ivy League institutions.
Ivy Leagues and Top Universities
Universities like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, have an average SAT score between 1460 and 1570. A 1590 score not only outperforms this range, but it also stands at the upper end of the universities’ 25th-75th percentile range. Thus, making you a highly competitive candidate.
It’s essential to remember that while the SAT score plays a significant role in college admissions, it is one of the many factors taken into consideration. Many top universities adopt a holistic admission process, where they examine your overall academic performance, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, personal essay, and more.
Scholarships for a 1590 SAT Score
An impressive SAT score of 1590 is also a valuable asset when it comes to securing scholarships. Many colleges, universities, and private organizations offer merit-based scholarships, where a high SAT score can provide you a major advantage.
Some examples of scholarships that take SAT scores into account include:
- National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC): A non-profit organization that offers scholarships to students with exceptional SAT scores.
- Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation: This is a merit-based scholarship given to students demonstrating leadership, service, and pursuit of academic excellence.
- Siemens Competition: A research-based scholarship given to students showing outstanding aptitude in Math, Science, and Technology.
In addition to national scholarships, many colleges offer scholarships to attract high-achieving students. Do your research and find out which universities are known to generously reward high SAT scores.
Conclusion
Conclusively, having a 1590 score is a fantastic achievement that opens up wide vistas of opportunities. It showcases your academic prowess, places you in the top 1% of all test takers, and potentially aids in securing scholarships and admissions to top-tier universities.
While the 1590 score is an impressive part of your college application, it is also essential to remember that it is only one ingredient in the recipe. The universities take several factors into account during the admissions process, such as your high school GPA, recommendation letters, extracurricular activities, and personal essays.
While a high SAT score may give you an edge in the application process, it is vital to ensure that other components of your college application are just as strong. It is at the confluence of multi-dimensional strength that a complete, compelling college application is born; and so, it goes beyond the question of “Will colleges accept a 1590 score?” to how the entire application presents a story of your academic journey and achievements.