Step 1: Know what your goals are
If you plan to attend your local state university, chances are a perfect SAT score will not be necessary. On the other hand, if you have your sights set on Harvard, you’ll want something close to a 2400.
| Aspiration | Reasonable SAT Goal |
|---|
| Elite schools (Ivy League, Stanford, Duke, etc.) | 2300-2400 |
| 2nd Tier Schools (University of California Schools, NYU, Notre Dame, etc.) | 2150-2300 |
| Most Local State Universities (Excluding the top public schools such as University of California Schools and University of Michigan – Ann Arbor etc.) | 1900 - 2150 |
SAT scores are also critical for many merit-based scholarships that are offered by colleges and outside sources. A good SAT score can literally translate into tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships. That means, even if you are not aiming for the most selective universities, you should still aim high on your SAT. Your SAT score can be the difference between paying thousands every year for college and getting a full ride to your state university.
