When
it comes to SAT scores, there is no such thing as passing or failing. SAT
scores are about “Mean (average) Scores”, “Percentiles”, and “Benchmarks”.
The College Board explains them as follows:
Mean (Average) Scores: Your score report will show you the mean, or average, scores
earned by typical U.S. test-takers per grade. Unless your score is much lower
than average, you’re probably developing the kinds of reading, writing and
language, and math skills you’ll need in college.
College and Career Readiness Benchmarks: You’ll see a benchmark for each section of the SAT. Benchmarks
are the scores that represent college readiness. In other words, if you score
at or above the benchmark, you’re on track to be ready for college when you
graduate high school. Use the detailed feedback in your online score report to
see which skills need the most improvement.
Percentile Rank: A percentile rank is a number between 1 and 99 that shows how
you scored compared to other students. It represents the percentage of students
whose scores fall at or below your score. For example, a test-taker in the 57th
percentile scored higher than or equal to 57 percent of test-takers.
You’ll see two percentiles:
The Nationally
Representative Sample percentile compares your score to the scores of typical
11th- and 12th-grade U.S. students.
The User
Percentile—National compares your score to the scores of typical college-bound
U.S. 11th- and 12th-grade SAT takers.
