What's a Good SAT Score?

See also: What’s a Good ACT Score?

The SAT is scored on a 1600 point scale. The test is divided into two sections: Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and Math. Each section is scored on a scale of 200-800, making for a total score of 400-1600.

According to data from 2019, the average SAT score nationwide is 1059, broken down into an Evidence-Based Reading/Writing score of 531 and a Math score of 528. You can quickly determine whether your score is above or below average by comparing it to this nationwide standard.

For a more precise understanding of where you rank among other students, refer to your percentile ranking.

Your percentile ranking reflects how many test-takers you outscored. If you rank in the 75th percentile, this doesn’t mean you got 75% of the questions correct. Rather, it means you scored the same as or higher than 75% of test-takers. For more info about SAT percentiles, click here.

I know my score and percentile, but what does it all mean? What’s a good score?

The frustrating but true answer is that it’s all relative. The value of your SAT score depends on your grades and your goals.

In the admissions process, both your high school grades and your SAT score matter. You want your score to be consistent with or stronger than your grades. You also want your score to be in line with the scores of applicants accepted to the colleges you plan to apply to.

How do I compare my SAT score to my grades?

Because GPA calculations vary so much from one high school to another, identifying the strength of your test scores in relation to your grades can be difficult to do. Naviance charts and college median data can be helpful. Here are some general guidelines:

Students who receive nearly all A’s in all honors/AP/IB classes typically score above 1300.

Students who receive A’s and B’s in some honors classes typically score in the 1100-1300 range.

Students who receive B’s and C’s in regular classes typically score below 1100.

If your SAT score is stronger than your grades, it’s a good score for you, as it will definitely strengthen your application.

If your SAT score is equivalent to your grades, it’s still a good score. Scores in line with your grades provide colleges further evidence that you have the rapid reasoning ability to handle college-level work.

But suppose your SAT score is weaker than your grades. Perhaps you’re a diligent student who struggles with test anxiety. Perhaps you’re a brilliant artist or athlete whose greatest talents aren’t on display in an academic setting. That’s okay. You can always do test prep to improve your scores and try again!

Another option is to seek out test optional colleges, where your chances of admission will increase. However, if you go test-optional, you will be judged more on your grades, your accomplishments, and your essays, which makes it all the more important that you put a lot of time and energy into those other aspects of your application.

How can I find out if my scores are competitive for the colleges I am applying to?

Use Google or Collegedata to find each college’s 25th and 75th percentile test scores. Take the average of those two numbers to approximate the 50th percentile.

If your score is above the 75th percentile, that is an excellent score for that school.

If your score is above the 50th percentile, that is a solid score for that school.

If your score is between the 25th and 50th percentile, your high school grades, accomplishments, and essays will take on increased importance.

If your score is below the 25th percentile, that school is a reach. However, with stellar grades and accomplishments, you may still get an acceptance!

Our advice:

Do your best on the SAT, but try to avoid obsession, competition, and comparisons. What makes an SAT score “good” or “bad” depends entirely on your grades and goals. Prep for the test, but remember to keep your grades up too, and be sure to give plenty of time and attention to other aspects of your application.