Are 33 on the ACT and 1480 on the New SAT Considered Strong Scores?

When considering the ACT score of 33 and SAT score of 1480, many students and parents wonder if these scores are strong enough for college admission. Let's explore what these scores mean and their implications for various top universities.

ACT Score: 33 on the ACT

A 33 on the ACT is well above the national average, which typically hovers around 20-21. With this score, you are among the top 1-2% of test-takers, making you a highly competitive candidate for most colleges and universities. Here's how this score breaks down:

Admission Rate: 33 places you in a position where you have a strong chance of being admitted to many competitive institutions. Average Admits for Elite Schools: ACT 33-34: 33 of 109 admitted (30% admit rate) ACT 35-36: 28 of 56 admitted (50% admit rate) Expert Opinions: According to CollegeBoard and PrepScholar, the AI Academic Index is heavily used in college admissions, with standardized test scores playing a significant role.

New SAT Score: 1480

A 1480 on the New SAT is also a strong score. This is above the national average, which is around 1050-1100, and places you in the top 5-10% of test-takers. Here's what this score means:

Admission Rate: Like the ACT 33, a 1480 on the SAT is highly competitive and could get you into many selective colleges. Expert Opinions: PrepScholar also suggests that with a high score, you may not see significant improvements with additional study hours, but thorough preparation can make a difference. Study Hours for Improvement: 0-1 ACT composite point improvement: 10 hours 1-2 ACT composite points improvement: 20 hours 2-4 ACT composite points improvement: 40 hours 4-6 ACT composite points improvement: 80 hours 6-9 ACT composite points improvement: 150 hours

Combined Strength

Both the ACT 33 and the New SAT 1480 reflect a high level of academic achievement and would make you a competitive applicant at many institutions. However, for the most competitive universities, you might need to aim higher. Here are some insights from the data I have analyzed:

Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Penn, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Duke, and Brown

Using data from CollegeBoard for US women from the years 2018-2020, I found that:

ACT 33-34: 33 of 109 admitted (30% admit rate) ACT 35-36: 28 of 56 admitted (50% admit rate)

It's important to note that a lower admit rate for the higher scores is due to the fact that these test scores typically correlate with other superior elements in the application, such as extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.

Optimizing Your Score

If you are aiming for highly selective colleges, you should consider optimizing your test scores even further. Here are some strategies:

Practice Tests: Taking 7-10 practice tests is crucial to understanding the format and types of questions. Labor Intensive Prep: Investing 70-100 hours of focused preparation can make a significant difference, as proven by PrepScholar. Weaknesses Analysis: Identify your test weaknesses and focus on improving them. Reattempting: Taking the test 3-4 times and ensuring that your 33 is your best effort can increase your chances of admission.

Conclusion

In summary, both a 33 on the ACT and a 1480 on the New SAT are strong scores that would make you a competitive applicant at many top colleges. For the most elite schools, a bit more preparation and a higher score can make a significant difference. By optimizing your effort and understanding the competitive landscape, you can improve your chances of admission to your dream college.