What Is A Good SAT Score? 2026 Score Ranges & Percentiles

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Typically, a SAT score surpassing the 50th percentile, or median, is deemed satisfactory as it indicates outperforming the majority of test-takers.

Yet, merely achieving the 50th percentile might not meet the criteria for admission to most competitive colleges. The benchmark for a commendable SAT score significantly rises depending on the level of competition within the applicant pool. Consequently, it is advisable to target at least the 75th percentile, equivalent to a score of 1200 or higher.

The SAT score, spanning from 400 to 1600, is the summation of your Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section scores. Both sections utilize a 200-800 scale in 10-point intervals. A respectable score in either Math or EBRW would hover around 600.

To gauge your performance relative to other test-takers, percentiles offer valuable insights. Consult the percentile charts below to discern what qualifies as a commendable SAT score. Keep in mind that percentile rankings for scores may experience slight variations from year to year.

What Is a Good SAT Score? [Average Score, Score Range]  

In basic terms, any SAT score above the 50th percentile is considered good because it shows that you have performed well compared to many SAT aspirants. However, the 50th percentile will not take you to the top colleges, you can only get selected colleges on this score. It is advised to all of the SAT aspirants to aim for the 75th percentile 

The table given below gives you better clarity on this:

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What Is a Good SAT Score Based on Your Schools?

Increase your likelihood of gaining admission to a specific college by targeting an SAT score that aligns with the average score of accepted students. Put simply, if the typical incoming student achieved a score of 1300, strive to attain or exceed this benchmark.

Determine your target SAT score by identifying the middle 50% of scores for each college on your application list. This range spans from the 25th to the 75th percentiles. Your objective should be to achieve a score close to or surpassing the 75th percentile of your chosen institution. If aiming for the 75th percentile seems challenging, consider aiming higher than the 25th percentile, recognizing that this could enhance your application’s overall competitiveness.

Most colleges provide SAT statistics on their official websites. You can conduct an online search using the school’s name along with the phrase “SAT score range,” or explore pages such as first-year class profiles or general facts and figures.

For instance, if you’re applying to Emory University, review the class profile page to find the middle 50% of SAT Math and EBRW scores for the class of 2025. Utilizing this information, set your target around 770 for EBRW and 780 for Math—both notably high scores.

The specific SAT score to aim for will vary based on the colleges in your application list. Less selective institutions often admit students with SAT scores closer to the national median, while highly selective universities typically prefer scores in the range of 1400-1600.

Digital SAT Score Range and Average Score

The SAT Score ranges between 400 to 1600, the SAT exam consists of two parts:

1. English 
2. Math

The English part score ranges between 200 to 800 and the math also follows the same score range. The average SAT score (2022) is 1050. The average SAT score in the English section is 530 and the standard SAT score in the Math section is 520. 

Good SAT Scores for Popular Colleges:

Achieving a good SAT score for admission to popular colleges often depends on the specific requirements and competitiveness of each institution. However, here are general SAT score ranges that are often considered competitive for some well-known colleges:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 1400 a Good SAT Score?
Ans: Yes, a score of 1400 on the SAT is considered quite good, placing you above the national average and making you eligible for admission to many colleges and universities with competitive admission standards.

Universities you can apply to:

1. University of Florida
2. Texas A & M University-College Station
3. The University of Texas at Austin
4. Purdue University

Is 1350 a Good SAT Score?
Ans: Yes, a score of 1350 on the SAT is considered a solid performance, positioning you competitively for admission to a variety of colleges and universities.

Universities you can apply to:

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2. University of Washington-Seattle Campus
3. Ohio State University-Main Campus
4. Syracuse University

Is 900 a Good SAT Score?
Ans: A score of 900 on the SAT may limit your options for college admission, as it falls below the average. Consider retaking the test or exploring colleges with more flexible admission requirements.

Universities you can apply to:

1. Savannah State University
2. Jackson State University
3. Lamar University
4. San Francisco State University

Is 1000 a Good SAT Score?
Ans: A score of 1000 on the SAT is below the national average. While some colleges may accept this score, you may want to consider retaking the test to improve your options.

Universities you can apply to:

1. Radford University
2. Clark Atlanta University
3. Manchester University
4. St. Thomas University

Is 1150 a Good SAT Score?
Ans: Yes, a score of 1150 on the SAT is generally considered decent and can make you eligible for admission to a variety of colleges and universities.

Universities you can apply to:

1. University of Arizona
2. Michigan State University
3. San Diego State University
4. Howard University

Is 1250 a Good SAT Score?
Ans: Yes, a score of 1250 on the SAT is considered a good score, providing you with competitive opportunities for admission to many colleges and universities.

Universities you can apply to:

1. Clemson University
2. University of Maryland-College Park
3. Baylor University
4. University of Miami

Is 1200 a Good SAT Score?
Ans: A score of 1200 on the SAT is solid and falls around the national average, making you eligible for admission to many colleges and universities.

Universities you can apply to:

1. DePaul University
2. University of Kentucky
3. George Mason University
4. Liberty University
 
Is 1300 a Good SAT Score?
Ans: Yes, a score of 1300 on the SAT is considered strong, positioning you well for admission to a variety of colleges and universities with competitive standards.

Universities you can apply to:

1. University of California-Davis
2. Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
3. USAna University-Bloomington
4. Florida State University

Is 1450 a Good SAT Score?
Ans: A score of 1450 on the SAT is considered above average and may be competitive for many colleges. However, the competitiveness depends on the specific requirements of the institutions you are interested in.

Universities you can apply to:

1. University of California-Los Angeles
2. Harvard University
3. Stanford University
4. University of California-Berkeley

Is 1500 a Good SAT Score?
Ans: Yes, a score of 1500 on the SAT is generally considered a strong and competitive score. It opens doors to a wide range of colleges and universities, but keep in mind that admission criteria vary across institutions.

Universities you can apply to:

1. Yale University
2. University of Chicago
3. Columbia University in the City of New York
4. Cornell University

Is 1550 a Good SAT Score?
Ans: Absolutely! A score of 1550 on the SAT is excellent and places you in the top percentiles of test-takers. This score is highly competitive and enhances your chances of admission to prestigious colleges and universities.

Universities you can apply to:

1. Duke University
2. Boston University
3. New York University
4. Princeton University