Colleges use SAT scores as a standardized metric to evaluate academic readiness across diverse educational backgrounds. Some institutions weigh test scores heavily in their decisions, while others employ holistic review, considering extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations alongside SAT results. A strong score can significantly enhance an application, particularly for students whose other academic indicators are less robust.

Research consistently shows that SAT scores, when combined with high school GPA, provide a reliable forecast of future college performance. Studies involving University of Oregon undergraduates have identified strong correlations between SAT scores and upper-division, in-major GPA, suggesting standardized test scores serve as useful predictors of potential academic achievement.

High schools across the U.S. vary widely in curricula, grading standards, and academic rigor. The SAT offers a common metric enabling admissions officers to fairly compare candidates from diverse educational settings. This standardized approach provides a consistent basis for assessing academic readiness regardless of a student's high school environment.

SAT scores are a key factor in determining eligibility for various scholarships and merit-based financial aid packages. Many educational institutions and private organizations use standardized test scores as a benchmark for awarding scholarships, meaning high performance on the SAT can be financially advantageous beyond just improving admissions chances.

Test-optional policies, which were accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, grant students flexibility in whether to submit SAT scores. However, strong SAT results can still bolster an application at institutions that continue to value standardized testing as a measure of academic capability. Students should research specific admissions policies of their prospective colleges to understand how SAT scores factor into their decisions.

The weight assigned to SAT scores varies by institution. Some colleges rely heavily on standardized test scores, while others use a holistic review process that equally weighs extracurricular activities, personal essays, and letters of recommendation alongside SAT results. Students are encouraged to understand the specific admissions criteria of each college they apply to.