If you're taking the SAT, you're definitely not alone! While colleges use SAT scores as an indicator of smarts and aptitude for college, smart people do not always perform well on the SAT test. In this article, I'll share the SAT scores of some reputedly smart people, former and current Presidents, CEOs, authors, etc. Hopefully, their scores will make you feel proud of your own! At PrepScholar, we've gathered a complete list of smart people’s SAT scores. We found their scores in past interviews or through investigative research. You will see their scores are widespread: Smart Person Known For SAT Score (out of 1600) Alma Mater Paul Allen Co-founder of Microsoft 1600 Washington State University Bill Gates Co-founder of Microsoft 1590 Harvard Ben Bernanke Economist / Former Chairman of the Federal Reserve 1590 Harvard Bill O'Reilly Political Commentator 1585 Marist College Rush Limbaugh Political Commentator 1530 Southeast Missouri State University Scott McNealy Businessman / Co-founder of Sun Microsystems 1420 Stanford Al Gore 45th Vice President of the United States, under President Bill Clinton 1355 Harvard Meredith Vieira Television Host 1300s Tufts University Stephen King Author 1300s University of Maine George W. Bush 43rd President of the United States 1206 Yale John Kerry Current Secretary of State 1190 Yale Amy Tan Author 1100s Linfield College, San José State University Bill Clinton 42nd President of the United States 1032 Georgetown Al Franken US Senator / Former SNL Comedian 1020 Harvard Howard Stern Radio and TV Personality 870 Boston University All of these people took the SAT, but others took the ACT, and we converted their ACT scores to the SAT scale: Smart Person Known For ACT Score SAT Conversion (out of 1600) Alma Mater Sonia Sotomayor Associate Justice of the Supreme Court 35 1560 Princeton Steve Jobs Co-founder of Apple 32 1420 Reed College Barack Obama 44th and current President of the United States 30 1340 Columbia University Lyndon B. Johnson 36th President of the United States 26 1190 Texas State University William Faulkner Author 18 870 University of Mississippi Obviously, you don't need to score well on the SAT to succeed in life or to be considered "smart." However, if you score well on the SAT, you'll have the opportunity to attend better colleges and will be afforded more post-collegiate job opportunities. Even though the SAT may not be an indicator of smarts or success, you should still try to get the highest score possible. Be as cool as this guy! (and hopefully as rich) Make sure you know the test format cold. Be aware that there are changes coming to the SAT, the new SAT will start in the spring of 2016. To learn the test, check out our other free resources: how long is the SAT, how is the SAT scored, and how to get a perfect SAT score from a full 2400 scorer. You should be practicing timed SAT tests and reviewing all of the answers you got wrong. Check out all of the free SAT tests available in our other article. If you enjoy our free articles, you would love our PrepScholar SAT prep program, and you can try it free for 5 days. We do the heavy lifting for you, by splitting up our prep material into specific skills. We'll detect your weaknesses automatically and give you focused lessons and quizzes to improve those skills. For more paid study resources, check out our recommended SAT prep books. Trying to raise your SAT score? Check out our ultimate study guide.
SAT Scores of Smart People
How Can You Improve Your Own SAT Score?
Study the Test Format
Practice Practice Practice
Consider Using a Paid Resource to Help You Prep
What’s Next?
Not sure where you want to go to college? Check out our guide to finding your target school.
Thinking about getting a job while in high school? Check out our guide to the 8 best jobs for teens and learn how to find yours!
Trying to figure out what extracurricular you should do? Learn more about participating in Science Olympiad, starting a club, doing volunteer work, and joining Student Government.
Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article!
Dora Seigel
About the Author
As an SAT/ACT tutor, Dora has guided many students to test prep success. She loves watching students succeed and is committed to helping you get there. Dora received a full-tuition merit based scholarship to University of Southern California. She graduated magna cum laude and scored in the 99th percentile on the ACT. She is also passionate about acting, writing, and photography.
Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT
