The more selective schools won't admit a student with an average score. If your goal is to attend an Ivy League or equally challenging school, you'll need an SAT or ACT score that's above average. Scoring 600 on each of the three parts of the SAT (for a combined score of 1800) puts you in the top 20% of national test takers; scoring 700 on each section (for a combined score of 2100) puts you in the top 10%. 

Here is a small list of universities and the unofficial estimates of the minimum scores on the SAT and ACT they will accept.

Note that the figures above are all rough estimates; few schools publicize an absolute minimum acceptable score, and factors besides your college entrance exam play into the admission process. (If you get test anxiety and didn't score so well on the SAT or ACT, but you have stellar grades and write an amazing essay, you could score slightly below minimum and still get in.)

Scores below 1100 on the SAT or a 15 on ACT are considered low, and you'll have a hard time getting accepted to just about any four-year college. You can overcome low scores with great grades and an impressive application, but you might have to take some remedial courses as a freshman. When in doubt, take the test a second time. Even if you're happy with your scores, remember that a great SAT or ACT score will help you get scholarship money. You might think about taking the test again for that reason alone.

If you're a poor test-taker or really don't want to take the SAT or ACT, note that a growing number of colleges and universities are making college entrance exams optional. Most of these are small bible colleges, technical colleges, and art schools/music conservatories, but some big-name universities, including the following, have also made the standardized admissions tests optional:  

• Kent State
• New York University
• Sarah Lawrence College
• Smith College
• Texas A&M
• University of Arizona
• University of Kansas
• University of Oregon
• Wake Forest
• Wheaton College