The national average SAT score in 2022 was 1060 with the highest possible score being 1600. That’s 208 points lower than the average West Shore score. 

“Our school profile currently states the average SAT score is 1268,” school testing coordinator Rebecca Matoska said. 

The SAT is taken by juniors and seniors each March, measuring testers current level of understanding in the core subjects of math and English. The SAT is an important part of the college admissions process and a good way to get scholarship opportunities. The SAT is a key part of gauging students’ strengths and comparing them to other college applicants.

The SAT can also be taken off-campus and be completed on other dates or times. After the SAT is taken, students are eligible for merit-based scholarships depending on whether they achieve a high score on it. 

“The SAT score is a part of the college admissions portfolio,” Matoska said. “It can be used as a baseline for admission, and it can be used to measure an applicant against their peer group.”

Colleges use scores on the SAT for evaluation and the average performance of their applicants. 

 “With the SAT, you are getting an insight into how you are overall in two of the core class concepts,” junior Jacob Woods said. “You’re also able to create a generalized score for colleges to look at and see your academic performance in those certain subjects.”

Mike Drake was the previous testing coordinator, and his experience and planning helped developed the SAT process at West Shore. 

“I proctored last year and found everything was easy to complete and well-organized,”  Matoska said.

Woods has done lots of preparing for the SAT and has set his sights on getting a good score for college admissions.

“On the PSAT I’m hoping to get above 1200, and for the SAT I’m hoping to get around 1250, maybe 1300,” he said.

By Sarah McCray