Score Guide: Setting Goals and Measuring Progress

The SAT and PSAT tests have slightly different score ranges, and students typically take them at different points in their college prep journey. SAT scores are sometimes required for the college and scholarship application process, while students take the PSAT test either to practice for the SAT test or to work towards National Merit Semifinalist status, which is determined by 11th grade PSAT scores.

“Good” SAT scores are typically scores that fall within the middle 50% range (or above) of admitted students for a particular college. For example, Stanford University’s 25th percentile range is 1500, and the 75th percentile is 1560. Ideally, a student who wants to attend this school should aim somewhere within this range. Learn more by reading our list of SAT score ranges for popular colleges among KD students.

“Good” PSAT scores will depend on a student’s goals. If a student took the PSAT test as pure practice for the SAT test, then the goal should be to obtain the same score he or she aims for on the SAT test. (The PSAT test is slightly easier than the SAT test, so the highest score possible is 1520 instead of 1600.) However, if a student wants to qualify as a National Merit Semifinalist, then he or she will need to score in the top 0.5% of 11th grade test takers in the state.

Determining a “good” ACT score will involve a similar process to determining “good” SAT score—you have to find out score ranges for recently admitted students. For example, Purdue University’s 25th percentile range is 31, and the 75th percentile is 34.

At the moment, the digital SAT test and the ACT test are quite different, so it’s not very easy to translate a student’s performance on one test to the other. However, below is a conversion chart that families can use as a general rule of thumb.

Read more about ACT vs. SAT score conversion.

The score ranges of admitted students will vary from college to college. Obviously, scores are not the only factor a college considers when reviewing a student’s application, so getting a specific test score won’t guarantee admission. But in general, the more selective a college is, the higher the scores of its admitted students.

To determine the score ranges for a particular college, we recommend looking at the college’s Common Data Set for the most recent freshman class. Nearly all colleges make this information available on their website. We have collected score ranges for some popular colleges. You can access them at the links below:

• SAT Score Ranges For Popular Colleges
• ACT Score Ranges For Popular Colleges

Sometimes, private, community-sponsored, or university-sponsored scholarships will require recipients to have certain test scores in order to qualify. Other times, a test score may be optional, but a student may improve his or her odds by submitting competitive test scores.

For example, the University of Oklahoma offers an Award of Excellence scholarship of $16,000 to resident students who score a 31 on the ACT test or a 1390 on the SAT test (or greater) and have at least a 3.5 GPA.

It’s also important to note that 11th grade PSAT scores are used to determine National Merit Semifinalists for each state. Becoming a semifinalist is the first step in the National Merit Scholarship Competition, and there are numerous colleges that offer generous awards to National Merit Semifinalists, Finalists, and Commended Scholars.

Over the past few years, many popular colleges have returned to requiring SAT or ACT scores for freshman admission. The growing list of test-required colleges includes more than 50 schools, including Harvard, Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins, UT-Austin, Georgia Tech, the University of Florida, Purdue, Stanford, and many others.

However, there are still colleges that have retained test-optional policies, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that a test score won’t help a student’s chances of admission. This is especially true for students who have unique goals like university-sponsored scholarships or admittance to honors’ colleges or competitive degree programs.

We recommend that students plan to take the ACT and SAT tests at least twice to maximize their chances of finding a good college fit. Remember to research each college’s unique admissions requirements and the test score ranges for admitted students (even if your student plans to apply to a test-optional college).

A student’s best next steps will depend on test score goals and where he or she is in the process. However, students often benefit from having a learning partner who helps streamline the test prep process, provides flexible schedules and learning options, and supports families throughout the entire college prep process. Schedule a free consultation to find out if KD’s programs are the best option for your student.

One of the best ways to predict a student’s performance is through diagnostic tests.These tests are designed to simulate the existing testing environment and serve as a benchmark to measure a student’s progress.

Students who enroll in KD’s Complete Test Prep program for 9th-12th grade typically take their initial diagnostic test before their lessons begin. The first set of core lessons will end with a second diagnostic test, which evaluates how well students are utilizing the strategies they learned in the core lessons.

We should note that it’s in the student’s best interest to set realistic score goals and manage expectations early on in the college prep process. Test scores are merely a measurement of a student’s level of preparedness for the college experience. Your student can still apply if test scores don’t hit the mark, but we recommend balancing out the college list with schools whose score ranges more closely match your student’s test scores.

If your student didn’t reach a score goal on one test, then it’s best to plan to make an attempt at the other. Since the ACT and SAT tests contain different content and formats, students may find that their strengths align best with one test over the other. KD recommends that students plan to take both admissions tests at least twice to maximize their odds for reaching desired test scores. This will let the resulting scores guide which test is their best fit—and which scores should be submitted as part of the application process.

If a student does not reach his or her target test score on the first attempt, that’s totally normal. Most students don’t hit the mark on the first attempt, which is why the ACT and SAT tests allow students to retake them. However, your student will need to plan ahead to allow time for one or multiple retakes, but remember to be practical. Students who test too often may feel discouraged by stagnant test scores.

All of KD’s test prep programs feature practice tests and reviews. The exact number and types of tests depend on a student’s grade level and program and allow for continued practice while a student navigates multiple national test attempts.

With Complete Test Prep, 9th-12th grade students have access to new practice tests each year for the SAT and the ACT tests with self-guided and personalized test reviews. These activities are offered at various times throughout the week and are just one of many aspects of the test prep program.

The 11th Grade Test Prep Essentials program preps for just the SAT test and includes up to 10 digital practice tests for the SAT. The program also features the self-guided and personalized test review process that is so important for score movement.

The Advanced Start Program offers 7th, 8th, or 9th graders prep for the PSAT and SAT tests and features up to five digital practice tests for the PSAT and SAT. Advanced Start students also benefit from the self-guided and personalized test review process for each practice test. 

KD’s On-Demand Core program preps students for the digital version of the SAT test with three practice tests and three practice tests for the paper-based, pre-2025 version of the ACT test. Students can watch a recorded test review for each test.

But the real bottom line is—if KD students’ scores are not moving after several practice tests,  we want families to contact us. We can put together an individualized plan that will address your student’s areas of need. It’s what we do.

To find out if KD is the best prep program for your student, schedule a free consultation.

The time it takes for the testing organization to release test dates depends on which test you take. PSAT test scores typically become available in mid and late November, depending on when your school scheduled the test. CollegeBoard typically releases SAT test scores within two to four weeks after the test date. ACT score reports arrive some between 10 days to two months after a test date, and there are a variety of factors that can delay a student’s score report.

Also keep in mind that colleges have their own internal processes for processing score reports. If you are pressured to send scores before an application deadline, it’s best to contact the college’s admissions office or the testing organization for assistance. (Just another reason why it’s best to plan ahead and strive to finish testing by the end of 11th grade!)