Celebrities had to prepare for the SAT exam just like you, and their famous SAT scores might surprise you. Time Magazine lists some of these famous people who all went on to great success – even if you can’t tell by their SAT scores.
Remember that these scores are only from the Math and Verbal sections of the old SAT, for a possible total of 1600.
Highest Famous SAT Scores
Who has the highest famous SAT scores? No surprise here. Microsoft co-founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen earned scores of 1590 and 1600, respectively. The average SAT score has increased in the last few years, making these scores even more impressive for their time.
Also in the top are famous political commentator Bill O’Reilly, with an SAT score of 1585, and political speechwriter Ben Stein, who scored a 1573. You might remember Stein from his game show Win Ben Stein’s Money and his famous comedic acting in the 1980s classic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, in which he played a boring but brainy professor. His famous high SAT score shows he has the smarts for the part!
Other celebrities with above average SAT scores include actress Natalie Portman, who allegedly received a score in the 1400s; and actor/musician Will Smith, who is rumored to have a perfect score but only admits to it being “pretty high.”
The Middle Ground
Famous horror author Stephen King and television host Meredith Vieira, of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and The Today Show, both scored in the 1300s on their SATs. In the same range is former vice-president Al Gore, who got a score of 1355.
Gore’s opponent in the 2000 election, then-President George W. Bush, famously scored a 1206 on his SATs. His challenger in 2004, Secretary of State John Kerry, scored a bit lower, earning an 1190. Bush and Kerry submitted these scores to the school they both attended: Yale University.
The Lower Scores
Kobe Bryant, famous shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, scored a 1080 on his SATs. Comedian Janeane Garofalo, who has also starred in films like The Cable Guy and Mystery Men, got a 950. Her score hasn’t affected her success: You can hear her voice in the recent animated movie Ratatouille (2007).
And who are the famous celebrities with the lowest SAT scores? Radio shock jock Howard Stern got an 870 on his SAT, placing him in the bottom.
But the celebrity with the infamously low score is Bill Cosby, who received less than a 500 on the test (the lowest-possible score at this time was a 400!). Cosby received acceptance to Temple University on a track scholarship, and later rose to become one of the school’s most famous alumni.
Success Beyond a Score
When interpreting your SAT scores, keep in mind that you are much more than the results of a test. However, don’t discount the need to try your hardest – a little preparing for the SAT never hurt anybody.
Earning a high SAT score is a great accomplishment, but these famous SAT scores show that you’re remembered more for what happens after you leave the testing room and get into the real world
Matt Bonner
The clues: The professional basketball player should be known for his brains as well as his brawn. The 6-foot-10 center had a very successful college career both on and off the court before he turned pro. Matt Bonner SAT score 1350,
Craig Breslow
The clues: The major-league pitcher has been called the “smartest man in baseball” and his SAT score certainly reflects that. He majored in molecular biophysics and biochemistry at an Ivy League university and said he would be doing this if it wasn’t for baseball. Wall Street Journal call Craig Breslow smartest man in baseball, Craig Breslow said he would be in medical school if it wasn't for baseball, Craig Breslow scored 1420 on SAT,
Kobe Bryant
The clues: The Los Angeles Laker has helped win his team five NBA championships and has been the Finals MVP twice and league MVP once. His SAT score doesn’t exactly equal his enormous success on the court, but it wasn’t too shabby either. Los Angeles Lakers out of playoffs in the first round, Kobe Bryant scored 1080 on SAT,
George W. Bush
The clues: The former U.S. president and Ivy League graduate did better than average on the SAT and even beat the president who preceded him. George W. Bush graduated from Yale and Harvard, Bill Clinton SAT score less than George W. Bush, George W. Bush SAT score 1206,
Courteney Cox
The clues: The former “Friends” star can be proud of her SAT score as it led her to start a degree in this brainy subject before committing herself fully to acting. Courteney Cox started degree in architecture, Courteney Cox scored 1150 on SAT,
Drea de Matteo
The clues: The actress has had a very successful career thus far, including a role on “Desperate Housewives” and has also won an Emmy for her role on a former HBO drama. She did not, however, have much success with the SAT. Drea de Matteo scored 800 on SAT,
Ryan Fitzpatrick
The clues: You can probably guess by this quarterback’s alma mater that he has some serious brains. Off the field, he majored in economics, and on the field, he was named the Ivy League MVP. Ryan Fitzpatrick 2004 Ivy League MVP, Ryan Fitzpatrick SAT score 1580,
Al Franken
The clues: The politician author and former “Saturday Night Live” cast member earned a respectable mark on the SAT, although with a prestigious alma mater you might have thought he’d do even better. Al Franken SAT score 1020,
Janeane Garofalo
The clues: The actress, former radio host author and standup comedienne has been performing to packed houses for years, but she did not find quite as much success when she took the SAT. Garofalo did, however, go on to graduate from college. Janeane Garofalo scored 950 on SAT,
Al Gore
The clues: The politician and former U.S. vice president attended an esteemed boarding school before sailing through the SAT and getting into an Ivy League university. Al Gore scored 1355 on SAT,
Derek Jeter
The clues: The major-league player did pretty well on the SAT, according to his friend and teammate, and was offered a university scholarship before deciding to play baseball professionally. Derek Jeter got 1200 on SATs,
John Kerry
The clues: The politician and current U.S. secretary of state attended a prestigious college prep school before attending one of the nation’s Ivy League universities. John Kerry SAT score 1190,
Ke$ha
The clues: The eccentric singer-songwriter dropped out of high school at age 17, but don’t let that fool you ― the star was in the International Baccalaureate program and took history classes at a local college for fun. Kesha scored 1500 on SAT,
Stephen King
The clues: The award-winning author has sold an astonishing number of books and is obviously successful in that arena. The Maine native often writes stories set in his home state and even attended college there. Stephen King sold over 350 million books, Stephen King scored in the 1300s SAT,
Rush Limbaugh
The clues: This talk show host broadcasts the most listened to radio talk show in the country. It took brains to get to where he is, although you may be surprised to hear he didn’t finish college. The Rush Limbaugh Show weekly audience 15 million, Rush Limbaugh went to Southeast Missouri State University for two semesters and one summer, Rush Limbaugh SAT score 1530 ,
Peyton Manning
The clues: The NFL quarterback has won numerous awards throughout his professional football career, including this title by two giants in the sports media world. Before he joined the NFL, the QB attended the University of Tennessee. Peyton Manning named NFL player of the decade of the 2000s by Fox Sports and Sports Illustrated, Peyton Manning GPA 3.61, Peyton Manning SAT score 1030,
Scott McNealy
The clues: The computer company co-founder clearly has brains to be able to make it during the startup boom in the 1980s. His Ivy League education probably didn’t hurt either. Scott McNealy scored 1420 on SAT,
George Parros
The clues: The professional ice hockey player isn’t just a beefy athlete. His SAT score, along with his hockey talent, helped get him accepted into this Ivy League university. George Parros 6 ft 5 in and 222 lbs, George Parros GPA 3.18, George Parros scored 1250 on SAT,
Natalie Portman
The clues: The award-winning actress has both beauty and brains. The Harvard grad even skipped the premiere of one of her films so she could study for her high school finals. Natalie Portman studied psychology at Harvard, Natalie Portman scored in 1400s on SAT,
Alex Rodriguez
The clues: The New York Yankee has been named to the All-Star team over a dozen times and has countless other baseball honors. He did not, however, do so stellar on the SAT. Alex Rodriguez plays third base, Alex Rodriguez SAT score 910,
Will Smith
The clues: The well-known actor has been gracing the small and big screen for years, with a career any actor would envy. He has a scholarly side to him as well and, if rumors are true, his SAT score could have gotten him into any college he wanted. Will Smith rumored to have perfect SAT score,
Ben Stein
The clues: It’ll probably come as no surprise that the presidential speechwriter actor and author did pretty well on the SAT. But just how high was the Columbia College grad’s score? Ben Stein wrote speeches for presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, Ben Stein scored 1573 on SAT,
Howard Stern
The clues: The controversial radio personality and reality TV judge graduated from Boston University with honors despite having a poor SAT score. Howard Stern judge on America's Got Talent, Howard Stern graduated magna cum laude, Howard Stern scored 870 on SAT,
Amy Tan
The clues: The well-known author, whose best-selling 1989 novel was later made into a film, has won numerous awards for her work. She did pretty decent on the SAT as well. Amy Tan SAT score in the 1100s,
Meredith Vieira
The clues: The television personality went to this well-known Massachusetts university, also referred to as a Little Ivy, where she graduated magna cum laude. Meredith Vieira leaving as host of syndicated version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Meredith Vieira scored in 1300s on SAT,
James Woods
The clues: The brainy actor who will grace the big screen once again this summer dropped out of the prestigious MIT in order to try his hand at acting. James Woods studied political science at MIT, James Woods scored 1579 on SAT,
Chris Young
The clues: The professional baseball player’s SAT score and time at an Ivy League university proves he’s got talent both on and off the field. All-Star Chris Young SAT score 1300,
Victoria Zdrok
The clues: The model and adult film star might surprise you with how well she did on the SAT. She’s also highly educated, with a law degree from this Pennsylvania university and a Ph.D. from Drexel University. Victoria Zdrok studied Clinical Psychology from Drexel University, Victoria Zdrok scored higher than 95% of college-bound American students on the verbal portion of SAT,
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