As the SAT continues to play a crucial role in college admissions worldwide, it's valuable to examine how different countries perform on this standardized test. This analysis helps students set goals based on where they are from.

The SAT, with a total possible score of 1600, consists of two main sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) and Math. Each section is scored on a scale of 200-800. Here's a look at the average total SAT scores for various countries based on available data:

Typically students should read 15 minutes a day at least, but those are native English speakers. You have some catching up to do here. Here are some of our favorite sites for reading articles.

Reading will not only help with your performance on the reading questions on the SAT, but also on the grammar and vocab questions. It is the single greatest habit you can have to boost your R&W score, which is where international students often have a disadvantage.

When you're confused about something, you ask someone. The same goes for the SAT—more specifically, the reading and writing section. If you're confused on certain grammar rules, either read about them, or ask a friend for help. One of my favorite blogs for reading about these grammar rules is College Panda.

If you prefer to ask a friend for help, the largest community of SAT & ACT students has over 10,000 students and several helpers who have gotten 1550+. Using their help, you can understand the meaning of idiomatic expressions and niche grammar rules.

You will want to start learning vocabulary as early as possible. You can start with easier and medium words, and then put a little bit of time into harder words. For the most part, reading and talking to other students will automatically build up your vocabulary as long as you genuinely search up and note down words that you don't know.

You can also spend some time learning vocabulary prefixes and suffixes, and here's a quizlet that someone posted in the discord. There's also a free tool you can use with the words that are most likely to show up.

Taking the SAT as an international student isn't an easy feat, but it is one that is really rewarding. Recent admissions show that the SAT plays an even larger role for the admissions of international students than those in the US.

There's honestly a lot more you can do that isn't international-specific, so expect an article about tips that are applicable to everyone next!

College Board. "The Value of SAT® Scores in Evaluating International Student Readiness for University Coursework Delivered in English." College Board, 2024.

College Board. "SAT Suite of Assessments Program Results." College Board, 2024.