Which colleges have the highest SAT scores?

Colleges and Universities that are more competitive tend to have higher average SAT scores. When I say average SAT scores, I mean the average SAT scores of accepted students to the respective universities. Harvard for instance has an average New SAT score of 2250. Here is a useful list of average SAT scores of accepted students to some very elite universities:

Harvard average SAT: 2250
Princeton average SAT: 2220
Yale average SAT: 2240
Cornell average SAT: 2095
MIT average SAT: 2175
UCLA average SAT: 2000
Caltech average SAT: 2250
USC average SAT: 2045
Duke average SAT: 2170

Of course just because a college has a higher average New SAT score, it is not necessarily better than another college. However, this gives you an idea of the SAT score you need to get into the best colleges in America.

How many times should you retake the SAT?

There are so many different times to take the SAT, that it is important to know how many times to take the SAT. The answer is rather conditional, as it relies on the colleges you want to attend, and the score you get on the first time you take the SAT.

If you wish to go to an Ivy League college, where the average SAT score is around 2200 to 2250, then if you score below the average, you should highly consider retaking the SAT. If of course you score above, there isn't much point in retaking the SAT (unless of course you believe you can increase your SAT score even more, for example getting 2400).

For the elite UC colleges, like UCLA, UCSD, and UCB, you should aim to have an SAT score higher than 2100. If your SAT score is below 2100, you should retake the SAT whenever you are ready. For example if your SAT score is around 1800, there is a low chance you will get into UCLA, UCSD, or UCB, so you should DEFINITELY retake the SAT. To see the next available test dates, read this.

For other colleges, you should look at your current SAT score, and the average SAT score of the college you want to attend. If your score is lower than the college's average SAT score, then you definitely want to retake the SAT after you do some preparation.

SAT vs. ACT

Many high school students wonder whether they should take either the SAT or ACT, or both. I personally recommend taking a practice test of each, and see which one you score higher on.
You can take a free SAT practice test made by the collegeboard here: free SAT practice test

You can also take a free ACT practice test here

In actuality, it is very likely that your SAT or ACT score will be about the same when converted. If you take the ACT, and want to convert your score to the new SAT, simply use this ACT to SAT score converter.

The other consideration when deciding between taking the SAT or ACT is that some colleges do not accept both (namely the ACT). There are many "elite" colleges which only accept the new SAT, so it is safer to only take the SAT in this case. In the midwest US, it is best to take the ACT however. For westcoast (california and washington) and eastcoast (all ivy league schools) colleges prefer the SAT, since more students applying to those schools submit solely SAT scores.

ALL in all, it is safer to take the New SAT, however the choice depends on the college you wish to apply to, as well as whichever you score higher in a practice test.