800 SAT Colleges: Best Schools That Accept a 800 SAT Score
The SAT is a college entrance exam that many colleges and universities consult as part of their admissions process. With scores ranging from 400 to 1600 and more than 1.7 million students nationwide taking the SAT each year, the average score range is between 1000-1100. A score of 800 falls significantly below that national average and is about the 8th percentile of all test takers, which means that 92% received a higher score.
Is An 800 SAT Score (8 Percentile) Good?
An 800 is also approximately 200-odd points below the national average SAT result, making it on the low end of college-eligible scores. Percentile can help you understand why, largely because it tells you where you fall among all other SAT test-takers, of which there are more than 2 million each year. An 800 SAT is considered a percentile 8, which means that you only did better than 8% of all other test takers.
However, there are a handful of colleges where a score of 800 is eligible for admission but the majority would ideally want to see a higher score, at least on par with the national average. Since one of the main objectives for taking the SAT is to have a number of college options to choose from, an 800 won’t help achieve that goal.
What Colleges Can I Get Into with an SAT Score of 800?
There are a small number of colleges and universities that will review your application with a score of 800 and we’ve assembled a list of them below. Remember that a standardized test score by itself does not guarantee admission, but all of the schools listed below have a history of accepting students with an 800.
Should I Retake the SAT with an 800 Score?
To give yourself a wider range of college options, it’s best to retake the SAT. The goal is to hit near a 1000, which puts you more on par with the national average. If hitting that national average seems out of range though, know that upping your score even by 50 points, to 850, opens up more colleges for you to consider — that’s only four extra questions you have to get right! Totally doable.
If you’re currently in your junior year, there’s still plenty of time to give the exam another go. To prepare, familiarize yourself with the format by picking up a book of sample SAT exams or downloading practice tests. Time yourself while taking the test to practice under the same time constraints of the actual exam and take note of any questions that feel especially difficult so you can concentrate your studies on these subjects. If there’s enough time on your schedule, sign up for a test prep class through your school or hire a tutoring service specializing in the SAT.
This is also a good time to review test taking strategies to utilize during the retake. Remember to pace yourself but don’t dwell on any question for longer than 90 seconds. Since the SAT doesn’t penalize for incorrect answers any longer, practice making an educated guess using the process of elimination.
If this is your senior year and there isn’t enough time to retake the SAT before sending out college applications, take a look at your college application as a whole. If you’re otherwise in good shape for college application season, take another look at your college list—it might be that you just don’t have the right institutions on it. There are a variety of colleges and universities that are test optional, meaning they don’t require you to submit any standardized test scores. One of them might be the perfect fit for you and your situation!
You can also consider a local community college, where you can establish a good academic record over the next two years, then transfer to a 4-year institution as a rising junior. This route can have a dual bonus of saving money, too!
800 SAT to ACT Equivalent
An 800 SAT score is equivalent to earning a 9 on the ACT. However, the tests are quite different.
If the SAT isn’t working for you, it may be worth it to look into taking the ACT. They employ different skills, and even feature different types of content. The ACT features a science section to test critical thinking and analytic skills. On the other hand, the ACT also doesn’t allow for the use of a calculator at all, while the SAT has a portion taken with a calculator as well as one without. There are several other differences worth looking into, and it may be worth it to take a practice ACT test and see your projected score.
Scholarships for a 800 SAT Score
Scholarships involving merit aid, with SAT, ACT, and/or GPA requirements, will likely require a higher SAT than 800. Academics is only one route to take when applying for academics. You can also apply for scholarships related to your extracurriculars, life circumstances, and future major. However you go about it, start applying for scholarships right away so you can build up a good nest egg to offset the cost of college tuition!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 800 a good SAT score?
“Good” and “not-so-good” are really subjective. When it comes to assessing things like standardized testing and GPA, the goal is to earn a score that provides you a number of college options. With the national average SAT score always hovering near 1000 (purposefully), 800 falls short of that average and leaves few college options.
What colleges can I get into with a 800 SAT score?
An SAT score of 800 makes you a likely candidate at only a few schools, some of which include Holy Names University, Roger State University, and Pine Manor College.
What percentile is a 800 SAT score?
An 800 SAT is a percentile of 9, falling quite a bit below the national average.
What is the ACT equivalent of a 800 SAT score?
An 800 SAT score is equivalent to earning a 9 on the ACT, although the tests are different in a few key ways.
What scholarships can you get with an 800 SAT score?
When it comes to finding merit-based scholarships, you’ll have a hard time finding ones asking for an 800 SAT. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t scholarships you can (and should) apply to. Search for scholarships based on your extracurriculars, interests, and life circumstances to build up a good nest egg to offset the cost of college tuition. You can even begin right here, using our extensive college database!
