Scholastic aptitude tests like the SAT may provide colleges with a tool to evaluate the potential ability of a student to succeed in college. The SAT is a test of general knowledge. However, students may take additional subject tests in foreign languages, history, math, biology, chemistry and physics. Some colleges require subject tests for admission into certain study programs.
Some colleges require minimum scores, while others use the scores as part of an overall evaluation. According to the Princeton Review, scoring above 1500, the national average SAT score, increases your chances of acceptance to a college and receiving scholarships. Score requirements vary depending on the competitiveness of the college. A perfect SAT score is 2400.
Students often take the SAT during their junior year or early senior year of high school. Since it is offered several times each year, students have the opportunity to repeat the test to improve their scores. According to CollegeBoard, half of all students repeat the test and most score higher on repeat testing.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, many colleges in the West, Midwest and parts of the South use the ACT instead of the SAT. Ascertain admissions requirements for each college. Taking both tests provides students with the opportunity to submit the higher score to colleges that accept both.