What is a good IQ score

First off, the IQ score is based on the mean using a guassian distribution. This means that the average IQ score is "curved" to a score of 100. Consequently, this means that 50% of the people score above a score of 100, and 50% of people score below 100. A histogram of IQ scores looks like this:


Lastly, here are the descriptions of IQ scores:
If you have above 144, then you are assigned into the Genius category
If you have between 130 and 144, then you are in the gifted category
Between 100 and 130, you are in the above average category
Anything below 100 is below average.

May 3rd SAT results

Rejoice, or be upset, but May 3rd SAT scores are now available! Log onto your collegeboard account to check to see how you did. You could also call by phone, or wait a few weeks to recieve the score report by mail. Post how you did in the comments, and what you did to prepare for the SAT.

AP exams

Now that AP exams are officially over, what did you think about them? Which ones did you take and how hard did you think they were. Also, predict your AP score in the comments.

Perfect score on the SAT

I have receieved many emails asking what a perfect score is on the SAT, so here is the answer. A perfect SAT score is 2400, meaning you get 800 on each section of the SAT. This means the the best SAT score you can get, the highest SAT score, the perfect score is 2400 points. This also means that it is impossible to get higher than a perfect score of 2400 on the SAT.

On a side note, it is also impossible to get a score such as 2125, because the last digit needs to be a 0. Essentially, SAT scores must be multiples of 10.

How Important is the SAT?

It is not understatement that the SAT is the most important test you will ever take in your life. In college admissions, your New SAT and SAT subject test scores count for about 1/3 of your total chances, and GPA counts for about 1/3 also. The last third is made up of extracurriculars and the personal statements (college essays).

In case you missed it the first time, SATs count for as much as your entire GPA. That means ALL the grades you ever got in high school added up! Imagine how much time you spent studying for every test for every class, doing every homework, and add up all that time. That is how much the SAT is worth, and clearly shows how the SAT should not be taken lightly or underestimated.

What is a good score for the SAT?

SAT scores are rather relative, since they truly depend on your aspirations, and more generally, what colleges, and for what major you are applying for.
If you desire to go to an Ivy League college such as Harvard, Brown, Yale, Princeton, Cornell, Dartmouth, your SAT score needs to be at least 2200 to have a fighting chance. Thus if you aspire to get into a top tier college, a good SAT score would be 2200+.

Now say you want to apply for a competitive major such as engineering or biology at a top college, then your SAT score needs to be higher, at least 2250.

Next if you want to go to a top public college like UC Berkeley (UCB), or UCLA, then you need an SAT score higher than 2050 to have a decent chance. Now say you want to get into UCLA or UCB for a competitive major like computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biology, or chemistry, then you need a higher SAT score. 2100 will give you a higher than 30% chance of getting into these top public colleges, but a great SAT score for you would be higher than 2150, which will give you higher than 50% chances for the engineering and science fields.

Lastly if you want to get into the really competitive math/science/engineering schools like Caltech or MIT, then a good new SAT score for you would be anything above 2250. If you really want high chances, then you will need an SAT score of above 2300.

Cancelling SAT results

If you know you did not do well on the SAT, you can still cancel your New SAT score. Of course, you will not be refunded the cost of the test. You also cannot cancel an individual section score, ALL your scores will be canceled. For example, if you know you didn't do well on math, you can't cancel that one score in particular, you will need to cancel all your scores, including writing and critical reading.

For SAT subject tests, you can cancel individual section scores ONLY if you report that your calculator stops working, whether it is due to faulty batteries, or a fried motherboard. Otherwise, you have no choice but to cancel ALL your SAT subject test scores.

You can cancel your SAT scores anytime before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the Wednesday after you take the SAT or SAT subject tests.

For more information, read this article on how to cancel your SAT scores.