Are you curious about your 990 SAT Score and what it means for your college applications?
- Understanding Your Score: Familiarize yourself with your 990 SAT score and how it breaks down across different sections.
- Considering College Options: Discover which colleges might see your 990 SAT score as competitive, and which might be a stretch.
- Potential for Improvement: Explore strategies to potentially improve your SAT score.
Your 990 SAT score could open doors, if you know how to leverage it.
Understanding the SAT Scoring System
The SAT, or Scholastic Assessment Test, is a standardized exam taken by high school students for college admissions in the United States. The scoring system for the SAT is divided into two main sections: Math and Evidence-based Reading and Writing.
SAT Scoring Breakdown
The maximum total score for the SAT is 1600 points. This top score is achieved when a student hits the highest possible score of 800 in each of the two sections.
- Math section: It tests students’ ability to solve problems in areas they’ve learned in school and that they will encounter in college. These include algebra, problem-solving and data analysis, and advanced math.
- Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section: This section assesses students’ skills in reading comprehension, grammar, usage, and ability in written expression. It is subdivided into a reading test and a writing and language test.
The minimum score is 400 points. When you take the test, your overall or composite SAT score will be the sum of the scores for each section—meaning it can range from 400 to 1600 points.
A 990 SAT Score and Percentile Ranks
A 990 score implies individual section scores that amount to 990. However, beyond the raw total score, the SAT introduces the concept of percentile ranks. A percentile rank expresses the percentage of test-takers a student outperformed.
A 990 score corresponds roughly to the 35th percentile, meaning that a student who achieves this score did better than about 35 percent of their peers who took the test. This percentile, however, does vary over time in small amounts and may not be exact.
Is a 990 a Good SAT Score?
Determining if a 990 score is “good” is subjective and greatly depends on the colleges and universities a student is targeting.
For Competitive Institutions
Competitive and “elite” institutions like MIT, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and other Ivy League schools, or University of California schools like UCLA, often average SAT scores considerably higher than 990. For these types of institutions, a 990 score won’t usually be deemed competitive.
Compared to National Average
When compared to the national average SAT score— which tends to hover around the 1060 mark— a score of 990 falls slightly below. However, we must remember that the average score includes students aiming at all levels of colleges, from the most selective to open admission colleges.
Is a 990 a Bad SAT Score?
A common query students have is whether a 990 is a “bad” SAT score. The answer, like the converse explained above, depends on context.
Limited Opportunities at Competitive Schools
For those targeting highly competitive schools, a 990 score, which is below national average, might indeed limit admission opportunities. Schools with rigid academic cutoffs may not consider applicants with scores in this range.
Acceptable for Many Institutions
However, many colleges and universities in the United States would consider a 990 SAT score within acceptable ranges. Less competitive institutions may welcome students with such scores, as they also consider other factors in their admission process, such as GPA, application essays, extracurricular activities, and letter of recommendations.
990 SAT Score Percentile
As mentioned earlier, a 990 score roughly translates to somewhere around the 35th to 43rd percentile. This means a student with this score has performed better on the test than 35 to 43 percent of all the test-takers.
Percentiles are useful to colleges for comparing student abilities. They provide a clearer picture of how a student’s SAT score measures up against their peers.
How Hard is it to Get a 990 SAT Score?
Preparing for and achieving a 990 score often demands a fair amount of preparation. Here’s a brief look at some elements that contribute to achieving this score.
Study Effectively
To achieve a 990 score, students must typically have a good grasp of the high school curriculum up to the sophomore year. A focused study plan and the right study materials can help students achieve this score.
Practice Makes Perfect
It’s crucial to practice with mock tests to familiarize yourself with the test format and question types. This step provides an understanding of the time constraints and helps you build necessary test-taking strategies.
Manageable for Many Students
Most students should find it achievable to hit a 990 score with consistent, well-scheduled practice over a few months. Furthermore, students often have opportunities to retake the SAT, improving their scores with continued study and test-taking experience.
Remember, achieving your desired SAT score is within reach with the right preparation, dedication, and mindset.
990 SAT Score to ACT
The SAT and the ACT are two distinct standardized tests used for college admissions in the United States. To provide a standardized comparison, there are conversion charts that correlate SAT scores to equivalent ACT scores.
ACT Scoring System
The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, with 36 being the perfect score. This differs from the SAT’s 400 to 1600 scoring scale.
Conversion of a 990 SAT Score
Using commonly accepted SAT to ACT conversion charts, a 990 score is approximately equivalent to an ACT score in the range of 19-20. This equivalence is based on typical percentiles of test takers’ scores.
Remember, the correlation between SAT and ACT scores is not exact, but it provides a rough comparison between the two scoring systems. It can be particularly helpful if you’re considering switching between the two tests or if colleges you’re applying to express a preference for one over the other.
Should I Submit a 990 SAT Score?
Whether you should submit a 990 score to your college applications depends greatly on the specific admission requirements of the colleges you intend to apply to.
Research Your Desired Colleges
Research the average accepted SAT scores of the colleges you want to attend. If a 990 score falls within or close to that range, then submitting this score could be beneficial for your application.
Consider Retaking the Test
If your target colleges have significantly higher average SAT scores, retaking the test after further preparation could be a smart move. Many students find they perform better after gaining a clearer understanding of the exam and refining their test-taking strategies.
990 SAT Score Colleges
Numerous colleges and universities in the United States have admission thresholds that accept students with around a 990 score. Some examples of these institutions, where a 990 score falls within their middle 50 percent of accepted scores, include:
- University of Toledo
- Wichita State University
- Indiana State University
- Davis and Elkins College
- Texas A&M University-Texarkana
- East Carolina University
Remember that while SAT scores play a significant role in setting you apart from other applicants, other components such as GPA, essays, and extracurricular activities also massively impact the admission decision-making of most colleges and universities.
990 SAT Score Scholarships
Scholarship opportunities vary significantly between institutions and organizations. It’s true that higher SAT scores can potentially unlock additional merit-based scholarships.
However, a 990 score does not automatically eliminate you from scholarship contention. Many scholarships, specifically the need-based ones, consider financial need, field of study, geographic location, community service, and other criteria beyond just standardized test scores.
Therefore, it’s essential to thoroughly research scholarships you may be eligible for and apply strategically to maximize your chances of receiving financial support for your education.
Tips to Improve Your 990 SAT Score
Want to increase your SAT score from 990? Here are some actionable strategies:
- Set Target Scores: As explained earlier, consider the average accepted SAT scores of the colleges you’re aiming for. Use these numbers to set your target score.
- Create a Study Schedule: Regular, focused studying in manageable chunks tends to yield the best results. A consistent and realistic study schedule can go a long way.
- Utilize Mock Tests: Mock tests can mimic the actual testing experience and provide valuable insights into your performance.
- Understand Your Mistakes: Reviewing your mistakes can help you understand areas you struggle with. Make a note of these areas and target them in your revision efforts.
- Seek Help: Don’t hesitate to ask for help, be it from your teachers, tutors, or online resources. Getting a different perspective can often help you understand complex problems better.
Remember, improving your SAT scores is a marathon, not a sprint. Patience, perseverance, and consistent effort are keys to success.
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
A 990 score can significantly impact your college admissions. While it falls below the national average and might not be competitive for highly selective schools, many colleges and universities will find it quite acceptable.
Remember, improving your SAT score can boost your chances at more competitive colleges and potentially open up additional scholarship opportunities. However, keep in mind that SAT scores are just one facet of your college application. In addition to focusing on SAT preparation, don’t forget to pay attention to the other essential aspects like your GPA, essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities.
Ultimately, remember that your SAT score doesn’t define you or your future. Your passion, dedication, and commitment to your goals carry substantial weight in achieving the future you desire.