Data regarding perfect ACT/SAT scorers?

10jarsle
Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:11:40 +0000

JHS and Silverturtle--

Certainly, there are tons of other factors at play in the holistic process of college admissions, but I still think this is significant enough for a student with a 790 on all three sections to retake once (honestly, that would be my advice). I don’t know what the average “true” score of 800s would be, (I’d guess 850ish based on the distribution tables but I don’t trust statistics too much), but even if it ~850 then that makes an 800 far away enough from a 790 to make a material difference, whereas a 790 is not far away enough from a 780 to make a material difference. With over 11,000 students getting an 800 on the math section of the SAT in 2012 per College Board, that can be a big deal.


JHS, I do have to disagree that most “geniuses” will have other aspects of their application that back this up. That is true for those who are well off, from urban areas with lots of resources, etc. For those from rural areas though (who the SAT is really most useful/effective for, IMO) there are often precious few opportunities to demonstrate abilities to top colleges. If your school has no math team and no math above calculus and your family has no resources or desire to get you involved in heavy math, an 800 shows you have serious math chops and could be a difference makers. For most, you’re right, they’ll show their smarts elsewhere (math prizes, etc.) but for a substantial group the SAT is their only opportunity, and if they have the capability to get an 800 I think they should take the test a few times if that’s what it takes to get one. Just my opinion, though!