Is my SAT score too low to get into a good engineering program?

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

I scored a 1460 on my first SAT with a 500 on the math, a 400 on the critical reading, and a 560 on the writing. I’m going to take the test again but this first go around kind of lowered my confidence with getting into a good engineering program. I have a 94 average in algebra 2/trig right now and a 90 in science (chemistry) so my grades are still good. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

2
  1. What do you consider a “good” engineering program?
  2. Yes, your SAT math is a bit low, but it really depends upon which schools you are targeting.
  3. Some students have difficulty with standardized testing. My older son had an excellent GPA and work ethic, but faltered on the SAT and ACT test no matter how hard he studied. He did get into some very good schools, but on one of essays, he addressed his poor testing results in a round about way which made for an interesting essay.
  4. You may want to consider some test optional schools if you are unable to get your SAT score up.

Good Luck.

3

500 in Math would be hard for you to study engineering.

4

If a 500 is bad then what should I shoot for the next time I take the test?

5

Not necessarily. It would really depend on his math background (class performance). Some kids really are just lousy at standardized tests.

Work ethic/motivation and HS class performance are far better predictors of success in engineering than SAT scores.

6

Consider Union. It’s test optional.

7

Your goal isn’t to get into an engineering program. It’s to get out of an engineering program. There’s all sorts or reasons why you could have gotten a 500 on the math section. The most important thing you need to find out is whether or not that’s a harbinger of future math performance as @billcsho is alluding to or a testing anomaly like @fractalmstr posited. What math are you taking right now?

8

I am taking Algebra 2/Trigonometry right now. I have a 94 in that class.

9

I guess where you said in your original post “I have a 94 average in algebra 2/trig right now” I should have clued in. Dooh! :))

Anyhoo, what year are you in school? Some students start SAT early, some wait until they are Juniors. Do they allow you to retake tests or hand in homework late in order to improve your grades? If so, your high school grade may not really correlate with your true math skill level. Is English your first language? SAT is known to be harder for ESL students.

10

There are two other routes:

  1. Community College
    Some community college has lower SAT and GPA admission standards. You can study the first two years of engineering there and save some money. Then transfer to another university for the last two years.

  2. Continuing Education / Part Time Studies
    Some universities have evening or part time programs geared towards working adults. They have lower admission standard as well.

11

What grade are you currently in?