SAT Score Calculator

What Is a Good SAT Score?

The average is about 1025. What counts as good depends on your colleges: here are the bands, percentiles and real admissions ranges.

Calculate your scoreFull percentile tables
1024
Average (class of 2024)
1200
Top 25%
1350
Top 11%
1500
Top 3%

The short answer

A good SAT score is one that is above the middle of the range at the colleges you are applying to. Nationally, the average total is about 1025 (the class-of-2024 mean was 1024). A 1200 is above roughly three-quarters of test-takers and solid for most four-year colleges. A 1350 is around the top 10% and competitive at most selective public universities. A 1500 is in the top 2–3% and in range at the most selective schools in the country. Below is the same idea in more detail: score bands, the percentile of every key score, and what admitted students actually scored at a range of colleges.

Good SAT score range: the bands

Score rangeRatingPercentile at low endWhat it generally means
1500–1600Exceptional97competitive at the most selective colleges in the country
1400–1490Excellent93strong for selective universities and merit scholarships
1300–1390Very good85competitive for most selective public and private universities
1200–1290Good75above the national average and solid for most four-year colleges
1100–1190Above average62above the average test-taker and workable for many colleges
1000–1090Average47close to the national average of about 1025
900–990Below average32below the national average, with plenty of room to improve
400–890Low1− to 30well below average; focused prep moves scores in this range fastest

Percentile for every key score

Percentile means the share of test-takers you scored above (the SAT User percentile, based on students who took the test in the last three graduating classes). Each score links to its own page with college fit and how to move it.

SAT scorePercentileRoughly
160099+top 1%
155099top 1%
150097top 3%
145095top 5%
140093top 7%
135089top 11%
130085top 15%
125080top 20%
120075top 25%
115069top 31%
110062top 38%
105055top 45%
100047top 53%
95039top 61%
90032top 68%
85024top 76%
80017top 83%

What is a good SAT score for college? Middle-50% ranges

Colleges publish the 25th–75th percentile SAT range of enrolled students in their Common Data Set. If your score sits above the top of a range, the test helps your application; inside it, the test is neutral; below it, other parts of the application carry more weight. These figures are approximate, drawn from recent Common Data Sets, and move each year, so confirm on each college’s own page.

CollegeMiddle 50% SAT
California Institute of Technology1530–1580
Massachusetts Institute of Technology1510–1580
University of Chicago1510–1580
Harvard University1480–1580
Yale University1480–1580
Rice University1490–1570
University of Pennsylvania1480–1570
Duke University1470–1570
Stanford University1500–1570
Vanderbilt University1480–1560
Georgia Institute of Technology1370–1530
University of Michigan1350–1530
University of Virginia1400–1530
University of Florida1300–1470
University of Texas at Austin1230–1500
Purdue University1210–1450
Ohio State University1240–1430
Penn State University1190–1390
Arizona State University1130–1360
University of Alabama1080–1330

Good by section, not just total

Two 1300s can look different. A 700 Reading and Writing with a 600 Math reads well for a humanities applicant; an engineering program would rather see the reverse, and many list a Math middle-50% of 740–800. Section averages are roughly 520 in Reading and Writing and 505 in Math, a 650 in either section is around the 84th percentile, and 750+ is top 2–5%. The percentile tables show every section score.

Test-optional, superscores and context

Since 2020 many colleges have been test-optional, and a growing number, including several highly selective universities, now require scores again. Where submission is optional, the usual advice is to send a score that is at or above the college’s middle-50% range. Most colleges superscore, combining your best sections across dates, which can lift a borderline number. And admissions readers view scores in context: a 1300 from a school where few students break 1200 stands out more than the same score from a competitive prep-school cohort.

What score should you aim for?

  1. List your colleges and note the top of each middle-50% range.
  2. Set your target at or just above the highest of those numbers that is realistic for you.
  3. Take an official practice test and run it through the score predictor to see the gap.
  4. Use the improvement guide to close it, then retest and superscore.

Last updated September 2026. Percentiles from College Board’s current SAT User tables; college ranges approximate and subject to change.

More calculators & guides

Calculators & converters

SAT Score CalculatorRaw answers per module to a 400–1600 estimate.SAT Score PredictorPredict your score from a practice test.Math SAT Score CalculatorMath section only, 200–800.Reading & Writing CalculatorReading and Writing section only.SAT Superscore CalculatorYour best sections across test dates.PSAT to SAT ConversionWhat your PSAT score predicts on the SAT.ACT to SAT ConversionThe official concordance, both directions.

Scores, guides & resources

SAT PercentilesEvery total and section score ranked.SAT Grading ScaleThe 400–1600 scale, explained.How the SAT Is ScoredAdaptive modules, raw to scaled.How to Improve Your SAT ScoreWhat actually moves the number.SAT vs ACTWhich test to take, and why.SAT Score FAQGood scores, superscores, release dates and more.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average SAT score?

About 1025 total for recent graduating classes: College Board’s class-of-2024 mean was 1024 (519 in Reading and Writing, 505 in Math). The exact mean shifts a few points year to year.

Is 1200 a good SAT score?

Yes. A 1200 is above about 75% of test-takers and competitive at the majority of four-year colleges, including many public universities. It is below the middle-50% range at highly selective schools. See is 1200 a good SAT score for the full picture.

Is 1350 a good SAT score?

A 1350 is around the 89th percentile: a strong score that fits the middle-50% range of many selective public flagships and merit-scholarship programs. Details on the 1350 page.

Is 1400 enough for Harvard or an Ivy?

A 1400 is an excellent score (about the 93rd percentile), but it sits below the middle-50% range at Harvard and the other Ivies, which typically start around 1480–1500. It does not disqualify you, since admission is holistic, but most admitted students score higher. See is 1400 a good SAT score.

What SAT score do I need for scholarships?

Many automatic merit scholarships at public universities begin around 1200–1300 combined with a strong GPA, and the largest awards often start near 1400–1450. National Merit uses the PSAT instead. Each program publishes its own thresholds, so check the college’s scholarship page.

Do I even need to submit an SAT score?

Many colleges are test-optional, and a growing group have returned to requiring scores. As a rule, submit a score if it is at or above the college’s middle-50% range, and consider withholding it where the policy allows if it is well below. Policies change each cycle, so confirm before applying.