Did you graduate from college a while ago and now a prospective employer wants to see your SAT scores? Did you take time off after high school and now have to send your SAT scores to colleges? No matter the case, you'll need to know how to access your old SAT scores. In this article, I'll explain how to get and use old SAT scores. I'll teach you how to retrieve old scores and discuss how to present them to prospective employers. Once you have left high school and have not tested for a year, your SAT scores and responses to the SAT Questionnaire are removed from the active file—in other words, they're archived. When an SAT score is archived, it's not as accessible, and there is an additional $31 fee to get an archived score from the College Board. However, SAT scores can still be retrieved for reporting to you as well as any colleges, universities, and/or scholarship programs you designate. Some employers request SAT scores. Companies such as Amazon, Cvent, Baines & Co., McKinsey & Co., and Goldman Sachs have been known to request SAT scores from prospective employees. Even middle-aged job applicants could be asked for their SAT scores! You might also need to retrieve your old SAT scores if you take off more than one year between high school and college and are just now applying to colleges. Be sure to check the admissions requirements for the schools you're applying to so you can know whether you'll need to have your old SAT scores when you apply. If you graduated from high school more than five years ago, you might not have to submit any SAT scores when you apply. Finally, be aware that score reports that are sent to colleges five or more years after a test date are accompanied by a message claiming that the results might be less valid predictors of academic performance than more recent SAT scores will be.
When Is an SAT Score Considered Old?
Why Might You Need Your Old SAT Scores?
How to Send Old SAT Scores
There are a couple of ways you can get old SAT scores from the College Board. We go through each of these in more detail below. Note that you cannot send old SAT scores via your online College Board account (though you should be able to view your scores).
Fees for Sending Old SAT Score Reports
Let's first go over the two different ways you can order old SAT score reports and the fees for both.
Regular Score Reports
Regular SAT score reports cost $12 per report. However, because you're sending old SAT scores, there is an additional $31 archived fee. This comes out to a total of $43 per old score report.
Rush Reports
If you need to send old SAT scores quickly, rush reporting is usually available. This option costs an extra $31 (in addition to the $12 and $31 archived fee per score report). In other words, you'll pay a total of $74 per rushed old SAT score report.
With rush reporting, SAT scores are typically sent to colleges within two to four business days. Note that although scores are sent faster, this does not mean that colleges will process them any faster than normal.
SAT Score Reporting: 2 Options
Once you've chosen a type of score report to send, you have two options for how you can request an order of your old SAT scores.
Method 1: By Mail
To send your old SAT scores by mail, simply download an Archived Score Report Order Form from the College Board website and complete each section on it.
You'll need your exact test date and registration number to fill it out. This information can be found on your SAT admission ticket. However, if you took the test a long time ago, I'm guessing you don't have that ticket anymore. In that case, it'll be easier to order your scores over the phone (see the next section for instructions on how to do this).
If you decide to order by mail, send the completed form and proper payment to this address:
SAT Program
P.O. Box 025505
Miami, FL 33102
Method 2: By Phone
To retrieve your SAT score by phone, call the College Board customer service number at 866-756-7346 if you're in the US, or 212-713-7789 if you're outside the US.
Make sure you have the following information ready to give over the phone:
- Your current name and address
- Test date and registration number (if available)
- Your name and address at the time you tested
- College and scholarship program codes of score recipients
- Your credit card number and expiration date
What to Do If Employers Ask for Old SAT Scores
Most employers who ask for SAT scores don't require official score reports. However, be prepared to provide one, if asked. Also, make sure employers know whether the maximum score when you took the test was 1600 or 2400.
The date when you took the test shouldn't matter much to employers for making comparisons. A 2000/2400 from 2015 should be equivalent to a 2000/2400 from 2007. Both SAT scores should indicate the same skill level and percentile score. (We talk more about this below.)
Can You Compare SAT Scores From Different Years?
In general, an SAT score will mean the same thing no matter when you take the SAT. In other words, a 1250 on an SAT from 2016 should equal a 1250 on an SAT from 2018, 2019, 2020, and so on. This means that you should be able to compare an SAT score from one year with another SAT score from a different year without issue.
The only major problem when comparing scores from different years is the scoring scales used. The SAT changed dramatically in 2016, when it shifted from a 600-2400 scale to a 400-1600 scale. As a result, the scores for these years will look quite different. (However, you can roughly convert them using our conversion tables.)
The following chart shows SAT percentiles for the past eight years. Note the change in the scoring scale for 2016 onwards. Also, be aware that some scores are estimates if exact percentiles were unavailable.
| Year | 99th %ile | 75th %ile | 50th %ile | 25th %ile | 1st %ile |
| 2021* | 1520-1600 | 1200-1210 | 1040-1050 | 890-900 | 400-670 |
| 2020* | 1520-1600 | 1200-1210 | 1050 | 900 | 400-670 |
| 2019* | 1510-1600 | 1200-1210 | 1050-1060 | 910 | 400-680 |
| 2018* | 1500-1600 | 1200-1210 | 1050-1060 | 910-920 | 400-780 |
| 2017* | 1480-1600 | 1190-1200 | 1050-1060 | 910-920 | 400-680 |
| 2016* | 1510-1600 | 1210-1220 | 1080 | 950 | 400-680 |
| 2015 | 2220-2400 | 1720 | 1480 | 1260 | 600-830 |
| 2014 | 2220-2400 | 1720 | 1490 | 1270 | 600-840 |
| 2013 | 2220-2400 | 1720 | 1490 | 1280 | 600-850 |
| 2012 | 2210-2400 | 1720 | 1490 | 1280 | 600-860 |
*Reflects current SAT scoring scale of 400-1600.
Based on data for both the new and old scoring systems, we can see that the score you needed to achieve a certain percentile doesn't actually change much from year to year. So if you were aiming for the 75th percentile on the current SAT, you'd want to get a minimum composite score of 1210, regardless of when you tested.
You might have also noticed that the scores for 2016 and 2017 show more noticeable changes than the scores for the old SAT do. This is mainly a result of the fact that the current SAT format hasn't been around that long. Once a few more years pass, though, these percentiles should start to become more stable (which you can already start to see with 2018 and 2019's data).
For more information about historical SAT percentiles, see our guides to SAT scores from 2016 to 2021, and SAT scores from 2011 to 2016.
What's Next?
For more tips on sending SAT scores, check out our guide to sending your scores to colleges. As you read this, remember to look up the college codes and school codes for your score reports.
Curious about what a good or bad SAT score is? Read our popular article on good SAT scores to learn how you can set a goal score. Aiming high? Then you'll definitely want to read our expert guide to how to get a perfect 1600 on the SAT.
Finally, be sure to check out this post to learn who uses SAT scores.
Disappointed with your scores? Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:
Justin Berkman
About the Author
Justin has extensive experience teaching SAT prep and guiding high school students through the college admissions and selection process. He is firmly committed to improving equity in education and helping students to reach their educational goals. Justin received an athletic scholarship for gymnastics at Stanford University and graduated with a BA in American Studies.
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FAQs
Old SAT Scores: How to Get and Use Them? ›
To retrieve your SAT score by phone, call the College Board customer service number at 866-756-7346 if you're in the US, or 212-713-7789 if you're outside the US. Make sure you have the following information ready to give over the phone: Your current name and address. Test date and registration number (if available)
Can I use my SAT scores from years ago? ›Your SAT scores are technically valid forever. However, that doesn't mean all colleges will accept SAT scores five years old or older. If a school accepts scores from any year, you can submit your scores no matter how old they are.
How much does it cost to get old SAT scores? ›By phone: For an additional fee of $10, you can call to order archived SAT score reports at (866) 756-7346 (domestic), (212) 713-7789 (international), (888) 857-2477 (TTY in the U.S.), or (609) 882-4118 (TTY international). The archive retrieval fee for old SAT reports is currently $31.
How long are SAT scores valid? ›The answer to the question is simple and straightforward – your SAT scores do not expire. However, you should keep in mind that most universities and colleges today accept only SAT scores that are not older than 5 years. If your SAT score is older than that, you should not worry too much.
Do they release old SAT tests? ›Very old SAT (pre-2005, out of 1600)
All free tests are released publicly by the College Board and made available for download without copyright concerns. Tests based on the current SAT are by far the best to use for SAT practice since they're exactly like the SAT.
To retrieve your SAT score by phone, call the College Board customer service number at 866-756-7346 if you're in the US, or 212-713-7789 if you're outside the US. Make sure you have the following information ready to give over the phone: Your current name and address. Test date and registration number (if available)
Is SAT easier now than 30 years ago? ›In many ways, the new SAT is much easier than the older version. However, this doesn't mean you shouldn't study and be prepared! While the format may be better for some students, the questions are still designed to test your ability and skills in each particular subject.
Is 1150 a good SAT score? ›The average national SAT score is between 1050 and 1100 every year (on purpose), putting an 1150 at an above-average 67th percentile — that's a score to be proud of! It means that you scored higher than 67% of all other test takers.
What is the minimum SAT score for Harvard? › What was a perfect SAT score in 1986? ›A perfect score, in either category, is 800.
Do SAT scores matter anymore? ›
The importance of SAT and ACT scores is not a thing of the past. While there are a select number of colleges, or test blind schools, that do not look at test scores, there are far more schools that will take your test scores into account if you submit them.
How do I access my SAT scores? ›You can access your Student Report through your online SAT web account at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/scores. This is the same account that you used to register for the tests online. Click on Get Your SAT Scores.
What is the maximum SAT score over time? ›The highest SAT score you can possibly earn is 1600. The lowest SAT score is 400. Your total SAT score is comprised of a Math section score and an Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score. Each SAT section is scored between 200 and 800 points.
When did the old SAT stop? ›| Old SAT | New SAT | |
|---|---|---|
| Administration | 2005-January 2016 | March 2016-present |
| Score Range | 600-2400 | 400-1600 |
| Length of Test | 3 hours 45 minutes | 3 hours (w/out Essay) 3 hours 50 minutes (w/ Essay) |
| Total # of Questions/Tasks | 171 | 154 (155 w/ Essay) |
Request a paper score.
If you register for the SAT by mail, you will receive a paper copy of your score if you do not have a College Board account. If you register for the SAT online, you must let them know if you want a paper score in addition to an online report.
Is An 1100 SAT Score (58th Percentile) Good? A score of 1100 on the SAT puts you at the 58th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 58% all 2 million+ test takers. Earning an 1100 makes you eligible to apply to most colleges and universities as a decent candidate.
What is a good SAT score for Ivy League? ›Ideal SAT Score for Ivy League Colleges
A good average aim should be 75 percentile or an SAT score of 1580 (out of 1600). But the main goal should be to earn scores that exceed the majority of applicants.
A score of 1170 on the SAT is a good start, but there's still potential for improvement that could help you achieve your college admission goals. Although you're still outperforming the majority of test takers, it's still not enough to get you into the top schools in the country.
What was a good SAT score in 1979? ›You'll need to sign into your College Board account to view this page. Once you're signed in, your most recent score should be shown at the top of the page. Below that, you should see all your previous SAT ® and PSAT-related assessment scores.
Does taking the SAT too many times look bad? ›
It does not hurt to take the SAT multiple times. Colleges cannot see how many times you have taken the SAT. However, writing the SAT is a stressful and time-consuming endeavor, so it's important to know how many times are right for you.
What is a good old SAT score? ›For example, obtaining a perfect score on the old SAT (2400) puts you in the 99th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 99% of all other test takers.
Is 1570 a bad SAT score? ›A 1570 SAT score puts you in the 99th percentile. This means you outperformed 99% of test takers. In other words, you're in the top 1%. As you can see, any way you say it, the results are super impressive!
Which month is the easiest SAT? ›Myth: The March SAT is the easiest SAT test date. Fact: There's no such thing as “the easiest SAT test date.” While it's true that some versions of the SAT are easier than others, it's false that some test dates are predictably easier than others.
Is 1200 SAT ok? ›Is 1200 a good SAT score? The average SAT score is 1059, putting a 1200 SAT score just above the average. It makes you a competitive candidate at a good number of institutions, which is the primary goal, making a 1200 SAT a good score.
What's the lowest GPA Harvard accepted? ›You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Harvard, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.
Is 4.7 GPA enough for Harvard? ›Average GPA: 4.18
(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. With a GPA of 4.18, Harvard requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants.
GPA Requirements
Yale University does not have a strict minimum GPA requirement for undergraduate admissions. However, admitted students typically have very high GPAs, ranging from 3.8 to 4.0, with an average GPA of 3.9.
Once you've left high school and haven't tested for a year, College Board archives your SAT test scores and responses to the SAT Questionnaire. However, you can request that older scores be sent to you or to the colleges, universities, and scholarship programs of your choice.
Has anyone gotten a perfect 1600 on the SAT? ›A 1600 is only achieved by around 300 test takers per year and makes you eligible and highly competitive for admission at every college. Looking at this from another angle, a 1600 SAT score is in the 99nth percentile, which means you scored higher than 99% of all other 2 million+ test takers.
When did SAT change from 2400 to 1600? ›
In March 2016, the SAT underwent a massive redesign, part of which included a change to its scoring system: it shifted from a 2400-point scale to a 1600-point scale.
What SAT score should I not retake? ›Never Retake a 1530+
The SAT User Percentiles are what matter since they're based on the actual scores of students. The Nationally Representative Sample is pretty meaningless. A student's percentile represents the percentage of students whose score is equal to or lower than his or her score.
This decline has largely been attributed to a lack of overall preparation for the exams, with only 22% of students in 2022 who took the test meeting all four subject area benchmarks (math, reading, science, and English), while 42% met none according to the ACT.
Are colleges getting rid of the SAT? ›Moving away from standardized tests is in-step with other major university institutions. The University of California Regents, for example, voted in May 2020 to suspend SAT and ACT testing requirements through 2024 and eliminate them altogether for California students in 2025.
How do I download all my SAT scores? ›- On your dashboard, click the arrow on the right of any score report.
- If you're printing from your desktop, click the Download Your Score Report button on the top right. If you're using a mobile device, click the download icon on the top right.
Unfortunately, 900 is not a good SAT score. In reality, it's a weak score that will keep you from achieving your college admissions goals. Although you're still outperforming the majority of test takers, it's still not enough to get you into the top schools in the country.
How many times can you take the SAT? ›Students can take the SAT as many times as they want. We recommend that they take it at least twice—in the spring of their junior year and the fall of their senior year. Most students get a higher score the second time, and most colleges consider a student's highest SAT score when making admission decisions.
What was Mark Zuckerberg's SAT score? ›Mark Zuckerberg.
The founder of Facebook scored the perfect 1600 on the SAT and attended Harvard University. There's no surprise there on the score or prestigious university!
Elon Musk reacts to GPT-4 scoring 93% on SAT exams.
What is an old SAT score of 2400? ›The old, 2400-point SAT test had two sections for verbal: a critical reading section, with passages and questions, and a writing section, focused on grammar and writing skills. In the new SAT, the College Board has combined these two sections, while scoring the essay separately.
What is the difference between 2400 and 1600 SAT scores? ›
That is roughly the score you'd receive on the new SAT with its 1600-point scale. by two-thirds (because 1600 is two-thirds of 2400). So, if you got a score of 1940 on the old SAT, you'd multiply it by two-thirds and get a score of about 1290.
Does College Board sell SAT scores? ›College Board does not sell student information; however, qualified colleges, universities, nonprofit scholarship services, and nonprofit educational organizations do pay a license fee to use this information to recruit students and provide opportunities in connection with educational or scholarship programs.
Does College Board report all SAT scores? ›Scores from an entire SAT are sent. Note: Some colleges use superscoring, which means they consider your highest section scores across multiple test dates.
What's an average SAT score? ›The average total SAT score was 1050 in 2022, the lowest since the test changed formats in 2016. From 2006-2016, the SAT was scored on a 2400-point scale. It returned to a 1600-point scale in 2017. The current average SAT score of 1050 reflects the scores of students who graduated from high school in 2022.
Is 930 a bad SAT score? ›Unfortunately, 930 is not a good SAT score. In reality, it's a weak score that will keep you from achieving your college admissions goals. Although you're still outperforming the majority of test takers, it's still not enough to get you into the top schools in the country.
How rare is a 1500 SAT? ›A 1500 puts you in nearly the 95th percentile of all 1.7 million test takers.
Can I get into an Ivy League with a 1100 SAT? ›It is unlikely to get accepted into an Ivy League school with a 1100 SAT score, but it is not impossible. Ivy League schools do not have any requirements for SAT scores. However, because Ivy League schools are so competitive, you need an exceptional SAT score to get accepted.
Can you get one wrong on the SAT and still get a 1600? ›As you can see with the above SAT scoring chart, it's possible to get some questions wrong and still earn the max SAT score. Generally speaking, you can miss 1-2 questions on each section and still get a perfect 1600.
Is a 1400 on the SAT good? ›Is a 1400 SAT Score (95th Percentile) Good? Because a 1400 on the SAT is only 200 points away from the highest possible score, it implies an outstanding academic performance and makes you a competitive candidate for admission at almost every one.
Is an SAT score of 1600 Good? ›A 1600 is only achieved by around 300 test takers per year and makes you eligible and highly competitive for admission at every college. Looking at this from another angle, a 1600 SAT score is in the 99nth percentile, which means you scored higher than 99% of all other 2 million+ test takers.
Does 1600 SAT guarantee Harvard? ›
There's no absolute SAT requirement at Harvard, but they really want to see at least a 1460 to have a chance at being considered.
Should I take the SAT again if I got a 1300? ›Should I Retake The SAT With a 1300 Score? The only reason to consider retaking the SAT after earning a 1300 score is if you have your sights set on a very selective or elite school, such as those in the Ivy League.
Is 1200 on SAT bad? ›A 1200 is an above average score that places you in approximately the 74th percentile of all high school students taking the exam. A score of 1200 makes it possible to apply to the vast majority of schools throughout the nation and be competitive for admission at a sizable number of colleges.
Is 1700 good on SAT? ›As expected, however, the higher the score, the better—regardless of the school you plan to attend. If you are considering a school with more average-based acceptance requirements, an SAT exam score of 1500 to 1700 is a perfectly acceptable goal.
What SAT score is required for Harvard? ›Harvard University's SAT scores for admitted students range from 1480 - 1580, with an average score of 1530. Although SAT scores are optional, we recommend that students aim for a good SAT score of at least 1530 to be competitive in the admissions process at Harvard University.
Is 1400 SAT enough for Harvard? ›Can you get into Harvard with a 1400 SAT? Harvard applicants with a combined SAT score of 1300-1400 and an average GPA of 3.5-4.0 have a better chance of being accepted to Harvard University.
What did Mark Zuckerberg get on the SAT? ›Mark Zuckerberg.
The founder of Facebook scored the perfect 1600 on the SAT and attended Harvard University. There's no surprise there on the score or prestigious university!
A perfect score on the SAT is 2400; and for the ACT, it is 36. The national average score for the SAT is 1540 (combining the math, reading, and writing sections of the test).