790 SAT Score – Is 790 a Good SAT Score?

Wondering if a 790 SAT Score will help open doors to your dream college? Let’s explore.

Understanding the SAT Scoring System: An overview of how a 790 Score fits into the spectrum of SAT scores.
Implications of a 790 Score: An examination of the potential impact of a 790 score on college admissions and scholarships.
Improving a 790 Score: Strategies and tips for increasing your SAT score from 790.

Navigating ahead, we’ll unpack all you need to know about a 790 SAT Score.

Is 790 a Good SAT Score?

We first need to understand that the SAT exam, comprises two sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math. Each section is scored between 200 and 800, which culminates in a composite score ranging from 400 to 1600. Per the scoring framework, a 790 score is quite low, with the maximum possible score being 1600 and the competitive average around 1060, as per the College Board.

Percentile Ranking of a 790 SAT Score

When it comes to analyzing a 790 score, important perspective is gained through percentile ranks. A percentile rank tells you what percentage of test-takers you outperformed. In the case of 790, it corresponds to the 1st percentile, meaning 99% of test takers have scored higher than you.

790 SAT Score – How Common or Rare

A 790 score isn’t very common. With the average SAT score floating around the 1060 mark, a score of 790 is below average and falls into the lower end of the scoring range. This implies that not many students are scoring this low, but it also denotes you have significant scope for improvement.

Competitiveness for College Admissions

In terms of college admissions, a 790 score unfortunately won’t make you a competitive applicant for most four-year institutions. Prestigious universities like Yale or Princeton typically expect scores in the top 5th percentile, which is far beyond a 790 score. Such institutions are looking for academically exceptional students, and thus, a 790 Score often is not enough to meet their stringent benchmarks.

However, it’s notable that your SAT score is not the sole deciding factor for college admissions. Other aspects such as extracurricular activities, personal essays, recommendation letters, and overall academic performance can also play a significant role.

Is 790 a Bad SAT Score?

Let’s be straightforward: a 790 on the SAT exam is significantly below the national average and would be considered a low score by most schools.

The Downside of a 790 SAT Score

An SAT score of 790 reduces your opportunities for admission into many colleges and universities. As stated earlier, a 790 score falls below the national average and would put you at a significant disadvantage for most four-year colleges and universities.

Top-tier and highly selective institutions like MIT, Harvard, Princeton and UCLA have rigorous admission standards and a 790 score generally won’t meet their cut-offs. A score such as this would also limit access to certain merit-based scholarships that often require higher SAT scores.

Understanding the Restrictions a 790 SAT Score Imposes

While a 790 score restricts entry into more selective colleges, it is crucial to remember it doesn’t entirely eliminate your chances of pursuing higher education. Several community colleges, technical training schools, and online universities accept students with SAT scores in this range.

However, it’s worth noting that a lower SAT score can be supplemented with a stronger overall application, including impressive extracurricular feats, glowing recommendation letters, compelling personal essays, and a decent GPA.

790 SAT Score Percentile

Understanding Your Percentile Choice

A 790 score corresponds to the 1st percentile. This percentile ranking means only 1% of test-takers scored the same or lower than you. In other words, 99% of your peers who took the SAT exam achieved a higher score.

What this Percentile Means

While 1st percentile may seem disheartening, it’s essential to remember that this is not a reflection of your overall potential or intelligence. Instead, it indicates areas where improvement may be needed for better performance on standardized tests.

790 SAT Score to ACT

Understanding the conversion between SAT and ACT scores can provide valuable insights, especially if you’re considering whether to take the ACT.

Equivalent ACT Score for 790 SAT

Based on the corresponding conversion table, a 790 score approximately converts to a composite ACT score of around 13. Like the SAT score, an ACT score of 13 also lands into the 1st percentile, which means that 99% of test-takers scored higher.

Why a Conversion Is Useful

It can be beneficial for students to understand how SAT scores convert to ACT scores and vice versa. This knowledge can help in making an informed decision about which of these standardized tests to take. Some students may find one test more suited to their academic strengths than the other, and a lower SAT score might prompt them to try the ACT instead.

Differences Between SAT and ACT

The SAT and ACT, while similar in their purpose – college admissions – differ significantly in their structure and scoring system. While the SAT assigns scores between 400 and 1600 for two sections, the ACT assigns scores between 1 and 36 for each of its four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. The overall ACT Score is the average of these four sections.

Should I Submit a 790 SAT Score?

Deciding whether or not to submit a 790 score largely depends on your intended colleges and universities.

Assessing Your Target Schools

Firstly, research their average accepted SAT scores. If your score falls significantly below, it may be beneficial to retake the SAT or concentrate on other areas of your application.

Low Competitive Schools: If you’re looking at institutions where the average accepted SAT score is within or just above your score of 790, then you should definitely submit it.
High Competitive Schools: If your dream school has a much higher average SAT score, consider investing time in re-preparation.

Influence of Superscoring and Score Choice

Two common policies that may affect your decision are superscoring and score choice.

Superscoring refers to the process where colleges consider only your highest score from each section across multiple SAT attempts.
Score Choice allows you to choose which SAT scores you want to send to colleges.

If the schools you’re applying to support these policies, it might justify submitting a lower score since it could be superscored with higher section scores from other attempts.

Personal Evaluation

Ultimately, the decision to submit your score should be driven by a healthy mix of realism and ambition. If colleges you’re applying to have a substantially higher average SAT score, a retake might be necessary. But, remember, the SAT score is just one factor amongst many in the college admission process.

790 SAT Score Colleges

While a 790 score bars entry into to many four-year institutions, there still are colleges who accept such a score. Here are a few:

Open Admissions Schools: Colleges like the City University of New York (CUNY) and Southern University at New Orleans have an open admissions policy and don’t have minimum SAT requirements.
Test Optional/Flexible Schools: Some colleges and universities, such as Hampshire College and American University, don’t require SAT scores for admission.

It’s important to note that while these colleges may admit students with a 790 score, additional admission requirements must typically be met, such as GPA, school coursework, recommendation letters, and personal essays.

790 SAT Score Scholarships

Even with a 790 score, some scholarship opportunities can still be leveraged.

Institution-Based Scholarships: Many colleges offer scholarships based on individual need or merit, independent of SAT scores. Investigate the individual scholarship policies at the colleges you’re interested in.
External Scholarships: Numerous private and nonprofit entities offer scholarships based on unique conditions like legacy, volunteer work, or special talents. Examples include scholarships offered by The American Legion, Elks National Foundation, and National FFA Organization.

Remember, many scholarships exist beyond those that demand high SAT scores, and it’s worth spending time searching for those suitable to your skill set and credentials.

Tips to Improve Your 790 SAT Score

No matter how you scored, there’s always room for improvement.

Test Prep Resources

Books: The Official SAT Study Guide by The College Board and Barron’s SAT by Sharon Weiner Green are incredibly helpful.
Online Resources: Websites like Khan Academy offer free SAT prep material.
Study Groups: Peer study groups are great for collaborative learning.

Formulate a Study Plan

Consistency is key. Break down study material to tackle in daily or weekly chunks.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Work on as many practice tests as possible. The more familiar you are with the test format and types of questions, the better your score.

Seek Guidance

If you’re struggling, consider getting a tutor or attending an SAT prep course.

Remember: start early, remain consistent, and keep a calm mindset. You’ve got this.

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

Conclusion

The low-end nature of a 790 score might seem discouraging, but it’s important to remember that SAT scores are just one facet of your overall college application. Yes, improving your score could significantly enhance your chances of admission into more selective colleges, but a low score does not equate to no opportunities. Instead, it should serve as motivation to work harder, either on improving your score or strengthening other parts of your application such as your GPA, essays, or extracurriculars. A 790 SAT score signals the need for improvement, but it doesn’t define your potential or worth.