The SAT remains a pivotal component of college admissions, serving as a standardized measure of academic readiness. With the transition to the Digital SAT in 2024 and evolving admissions policies, understanding recent score trends is essential for students aiming to stand out. At Onward Academy, our one-on-one online SAT tutoring is designed to help students navigate these changes and achieve their best scores. In this blog, we analyze the latest SAT score data, explore the factors driving these trends, and provide actionable strategies to help students leverage them for success.
The Big Picture: Recent SAT Score Trends
The SAT landscape has shifted significantly, with the introduction of the Digital SAT in 2024 and the lingering effects of test-optional policies. According to the College Board, the average SAT score in 2024 was 1024, a slight decline from 1028 in 2023. This marks a concerning three-year downward trend that began during the pandemic era. Despite increased participation—1.97 million students took the SAT in 2024, the largest cohort since the digital transition, up from 1.9 million in 2023—scores have continued to stagnate or decline.
Key Score Metrics
- Overall Average: 1024 (down from 1028 in 2023)
- Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW): 519
- Math: 505
While a four-point drop in the overall average may seem minor, it reflects broader challenges in test preparation and performance. A “good” score depends on target colleges, with competitive institutions often requiring scores above 1400, while mid-tier schools may accept scores in the 1200–1300 range. Let’s dive into the key trends shaping these numbers.
Notable Trends in SAT Scores
- Declining Averages Amid Increased Participation
The slight decline in average scores, despite a larger test-taker pool, suggests that the Digital SAT’s adaptive format and other external factors are impacting performance. The test’s adaptive nature, where question difficulty adjusts based on student responses, has introduced greater score volatility. Small mistakes in the first module can significantly affect the second module’s difficulty, making precision critical. - Math Scores Boosted by Desmos Integration
The Digital SAT’s inclusion of the Desmos graphing calculator in both Math modules has been a game-changer. Students proficient in Desmos can solve problems faster, particularly in algebra, geometry, and data analysis. At Onward Academy, we’ve observed students improving their Math scores by 50–100 points through targeted Desmos training. - ERW Scores Outpace Math
With an average ERW score of 519 compared to 505 for Math, students are generally performing better in Reading and Writing. However, the adaptive format’s complex passages and grammar questions in the second module challenge unprepared students, emphasizing the need for strong critical reading and time management skills. - Superscoring Gains Traction
Many colleges practice superscoring, combining a student’s highest ERW and Math scores from multiple test dates. This encourages strategic retesting, as students can focus on improving weaker sections. Data shows that students taking the SAT 2–3 times often achieve significant score gains. - Impact of Test-Optional Policies
Test-optional policies have led to a self-selective test-taker pool, with confident students more likely to take the SAT. This can inflate average scores among test-takers but also means lower-scoring students may opt out, affecting overall averages when test-required policies return. - Socioeconomic Disparities Persist
College Board data highlights a strong correlation between family income and SAT performance. Students from higher-income households, with access to quality schools and private tutoring, consistently score higher. This underscores the value of personalized preparation, like that offered at Onward Academy, to level the playing field.
What’s Driving These Trends?
Several factors contribute to these SAT score trends, and understanding them is key to effective preparation.
- Digital Format and Adaptive Testing: The Digital SAT, lasting approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes, is shorter but more intense due to its adaptive structure. Performing well in the first module unlocks harder questions in the second, directly impacting scores. This requires students to master both content and strategy.
- Increased College Competition: As college admissions grow more competitive, students are aiming for higher scores to differentiate themselves. Top-tier schools often expect scores above 1500, while mid-tier colleges are seeing rising score expectations due to larger applicant pools.
- Test-Optional Policies: While many colleges remain test-optional, some are reinstating SAT requirements, increasing pressure to achieve competitive scores. Students scoring above the 75th percentile (approximately 1200+) are encouraged to submit scores to demonstrate academic resilience, while those below the 50th percentile may focus on other application components.
- Socioeconomic Factors: Access to resources, including private tutoring and test prep materials, significantly impacts scores. At Onward Academy, we bridge this gap by offering tailored one-on-one tutoring to students of all backgrounds.
- Technology Integration: The use of Desmos and the digital interface reflects a broader shift toward tech-driven education. Students comfortable with digital tools tend to outperform those who aren’t, highlighting the importance of tech-savvy preparation.
How to Leverage SAT Score Trends for Success
At Onward Academy, our personalized tutoring approach helps students turn these trends into opportunities. Here are our top strategies to boost your SAT score based on the latest data:
1. Start with a Diagnostic Test
A full-length, timed practice test is the foundation of effective preparation. Using tools like the College Board’s Bluebook™ app or Onward Academy’s diagnostic tests, students can identify strengths and weaknesses across the SAT’s 45 core skills. This informs a personalized study plan targeting high-impact areas, such as math fundamentals or critical reading.
Actionable Tip: Take a diagnostic test 3–4 months before your target test date. Analyze results with a tutor to prioritize topics like algebra or grammar, where small improvements can yield big score gains.
2. Master the Desmos Calculator
Given the Math section’s lower average (505 vs. 519 for ERW), students can gain a competitive edge by strengthening math fundamentals and mastering Desmos. Our tutors teach students to use Desmos for quick graphing, equation solving, and data analysis, saving time and boosting accuracy.
Actionable Tip: Practice with Desmos for 1–2 hours weekly on SAT-style Math questions, focusing on systems of equations, quadratics, and data interpretation. Onward Academy’s practice resources include Desmos-specific drills.
3. Hone Adaptive Test-Taking Strategies
The Digital SAT’s adaptive format rewards accuracy in the first module. Our tutors emphasize strategies like answer elimination, passage mapping, and pacing to ensure students perform strongly from the start. This is especially critical for the ERW section, where complex passages can derail unprepared students.
Actionable Tip: Use adaptive practice tests that mimic the Digital SAT’s structure. Onward Academy’s tailored practice questions help students build confidence in navigating varying difficulty levels.
4. Focus on Weaknesses with Personalized Tutoring
Generic prep courses often overlook individual needs. At Onward Academy, our one-on-one tutors analyze practice test results to pinpoint specific weaknesses, such as misinterpreting reading passages or struggling with geometry. We then design custom strategies to address these gaps, leading to score improvements of 150–300 points.
Actionable Tip: Work with a tutor to review incorrect answers from practice tests. For example, dedicate 30 minutes daily to targeted drills on punctuation or quadratic equations if those are weak areas.
5. Strategize Score Submission
With test-optional policies, students must decide whether to submit scores. If your score exceeds the 75th percentile (approximately 1200+), submitting it can strengthen your application. For scores below the 50th percentile, focus on other application components unless the college requires the SAT.
Actionable Tip: Research your target colleges’ SAT score ranges and policies. Consult with an Onward Academy tutor to determine whether submitting your score aligns with your overall application strategy.
6. Plan for Strategic Retesting
Score volatility and superscoring make retesting a smart strategy. Most students benefit from taking the SAT 2–3 times, ideally between March and October of their junior or senior year, to capture their best score.
Actionable Tip: Schedule your first test in the spring of your junior year. Use the results to refine your study plan, then retest in the summer or fall to improve weaker sections.
7. Build Confidence Through Consistent Practice
Regular practice builds familiarity with the SAT’s format and content. At Onward Academy, we provide personalized homework plans and real-time feedback, helping students achieve score improvements of 160+ points through consistent effort.
Actionable Tip: Complete 2–3 practice sections weekly, mixing timed and untimed conditions. Review mistakes with a tutor to understand error patterns and avoid them on test day.
Why Choose Onward Academy for SAT Prep?
At Onward Academy, we tailor our one-on-one online tutoring to each student’s unique needs, learning style, and goals. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Expert Tutors: Our tutors are top 1% SAT scorers with extensive teaching experience, skilled at simplifying complex concepts and fostering confidence.
- Personalized Plans: We analyze your performance to create a custom study plan, targeting high-impact areas for maximum score gains.
- Flexible Online Learning: Our virtual sessions offer convenience without compromising quality, with real-time feedback to keep you on track.
- Proven Results: Our students consistently achieve score improvements of 150–300 points, helping them secure admission to their dream colleges.
Turning Trends into Opportunities
The current SAT score landscape presents challenges but also significant opportunities. While average scores have declined, well-prepared students can stand out by mastering the Digital SAT’s format and leveraging tools like Desmos. Success requires more than academic ability—it demands digital fluency, strategic thinking, and adaptability. These skills not only lead to higher SAT scores but also prepare students for college and beyond.
At Onward Academy, we’ve seen students thrive by embracing the Digital SAT as the new standard. By understanding score trends, adapting preparation strategies, and aligning with the broader admissions landscape, students can turn challenges into competitive advantages. The data is clear: opportunities for standout achievement remain abundant for those who approach preparation strategically.
Ready to excel on the SAT? Contact Onward Academy today for a free consultation and diagnostic test. Let’s transform these trends into your path to college success!