What Is A Good SAT Score?

test taker wondering what is a good sat score
May 24, 2023
Contents

”Rohan

Reviewed by:

Rohan Jotwani

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 5/2/23

Want to get the best SAT score possible? This guide will show you the way. 

As you begin your college search, you’ll likely have to take a standardized test and send your test scores to schools. The SAT is one of those tests. You may be wondering, what’s a good SAT score? Competitive SAT scores ultimately depend on which schools you want to attend and how competitive the applicant pools for those schools are. 

Keep reading to find out what the SAT is, how to get a good SAT score, and more!

The SAT: Percentiles and Scores 

Your SAT score is the sum of your section scores. Each section uses a scale of 200-800 points in 10-point increments, so total scores range from 400 to 1600. You earn points based on the number of correct answers you get.

What are the Sections on the SAT?

Here is a chart summarizing the format of each section of the SAT. 

Section # of Questions Time Limit (minutes) Topics
EBRW - Reading 52 (multiple-choice) 65 Defining words in context, identifying main ideas, comparing passages, citing evidence to support claims, etc.
EBRW - Writing 44 (multiple-choice) 35 Fixing syntax and identifying grammatical errors
Math - No-Calculator 20 (15 multiple-choice questions, 5 grid-ins) 25 Algebra, arithmetic, probability, data analysis, geometry, and trigonometry
Math - Calculator 38 (30 multiple-choice questions, 8 grid-ins) 55 Real-world applications of the above math topics using graphs and word problems

Your SAT scores are typically available a few weeks after the test date. SAT scores must be reported from the College Board directly. When you sign up for an SAT date, you can register to send free score reports to a maximum of four target schools (and pay for extras).

What is a Good SAT Score?

It’s best to aim for a 1200 minimum, but the expectations of different schools vary. You should research the admission statistics for the schools on your college list and aim to score around the 50th-75th percentile. 

Good SAT Scores for Popular Colleges in the U.S.

So, what is a good score on the SAT for selective programs? Here’s a chart for the top 10 schools in the U.S. and their SAT score statistics. 

Rank School 25th Percentile SAT Score 75th Percentile SAT Score Acceptance Rate
1 Princeton University 1490 1580 5.8%
2 MIT 1520 1580 4.68%
3 Harvard University 1480 1580 3.41%
3 Yale University 1450 1560 4.35%
6 Stanford University 1500 1570 3.68%
Rank School 25th Percentile SAT Score 75th Percentile SAT Score Acceptance Rate
6 University of Chicago 1510 1560 6%
7 University of Pennsylvania 1510 1560 4.1%
7 Johns Hopkins University 1520 1560 8%
9 Caltech 1530 1580 4%
10 Northwestern University 1500 1560 7%

What Is a Good SAT Score For the Ivy League?

Using the numbers from the above chart, here’s an example of how you would calculate a good SAT score for the Ivy League. Say you want to apply to Harvard, Yale, and UPenn. Harvard’s middle 50% range is 1480-1580, Yale’s is 1450-1560, and UPenn’s is 1510-1560. 

What’s considered a good SAT score for Ivy League schools depends on class profile data. However, you should aim to score toward the 75th percentile for the most competitive Ivy League school on your list. That way, you’ll have competitive SAT scores for all the schools you want to attend. 

What is an Above Average SAT Score?

The average SAT composite score is 1051, with the average score for math being 523 and EBRW being 528. A score above 1040 is above-average, and a score above 1200 puts you in the 75th percentile (the top 25% of test-takers). 

Here’s a chart of SAT scores and their percentiles, meaning what percentage of test-takers got a specific score. These numbers may vary slightly every year. 

Percentile Total Score EBRW Score Math Score
95% 1440 710 750
90% 1350 670 690
75% 1200 610 600
50% 1050 530 520
25% 900 450 440

Source: College Board

Keep in mind that these numbers may vary slightly every year. 

How to Get a Good SAT Score

Tips for Getting a Good SAT Score

So, how do you get a good SAT score? If you haven’t already taken the SAT or you’re planning to retake it, these valuable tips to get a better score can help you maximize your chances of success. 

  • In the reading section, be careful with multi-part questions. A wrong answer to one question may lead to wrong answers in subsequent parts. Ensure there’s evidence for your conclusion and not just an "easy" or obvious answer. 
  • In the math section, try to memorize the basic mathematical formulas. You don’t want to waste time flipping the test papers back and forth to reference the formulas.
  • Remember to bring an SAT-approved calculator. The College Board allows most graphing calculators, but there are some exceptions. You’re not allowed to use your phone as a calculator.
  • Take advantage of an SAT tutoring service. Personalized tutoring can help you identify your needs and study strategically. 

If you’re unhappy with your score, consider retaking the SAT. Invest the time to work on your weaknesses and practice taking the test repeatedly. 

FAQs: What Makes a Good SAT Score?

Still have questions about your SAT scores? We’ve got you covered. 

1. What Is a Good SAT Score? 

While it’s a good idea to aim for 1200, a good SAT score is whatever score is competitive at your desired colleges. 

2. Is 1100 A Decent SAT Score? 

An SAT score of 1100 can get you into many schools. Below are some colleges that accept students with an 1100 SAT score.

School 25th Percentile SAT Score 75th Percentile SAT Score Acceptance Rate
Georgia State University 960 1170 69%
University of Northern Iowa 1080 1300 86%
California State University - Long Beach 1040 1250 47%
University of Hartford 1090 1300 79%
Western Kentucky University 990 1160 98%

3. Is 1200 a Good SAT Score?

The average score on the SAT is 1200. 1200 is a good score on the SAT and would put you in good standing at these colleges: 

School 25th Percentile SAT Score 75th Percentile SAT Score Acceptance Rate
University of Colorado Boulder 1170 1380 80%
Auburn University 1240 1370 71%
Michigan State University 1110 1320 83%
University of Tampa 1100 1260 54%
Washington State University 1020 1260 86%

4. Is 1300 a Good Score?

A score of 1300 means you have an above-average SAT score. 1300 is a great SAT score if you want to apply to any of these schools: 

School 25th Percentile SAT Score 75th Percentile SAT Score Acceptance Rate
Ohio State University 1118 1318 57%
Fordham University 1330 1460 54%
University of California, Davis 1160 1370 40%
Loyola Marymount University 1280 1430 46%
Florida State University 1220 1360 23%

5. Is 1400 a Good SAT Score?

1400 is an excellent SAT score. You can get into many popular colleges with a 1400 SAT score. 

School 25th Percentile SAT Score 75th Percentile SAT Score Acceptance Rate
University of Michigan 1350 1530 17.7%
University of Texas at Austin 1230 1480 28.7%
University of California, Santa Barbara 1230 1480 25.9%
Villanova University 1320 1470 20.5%
George Washington University 1320 1460 50%

A score of 1400 is great for the SAT. Remember, many colleges have adopted test-optional applications. A good SAT score isn’t the only element that matters. If your test scores don’t reflect your academic potential, ensure your application shows off your strengths!

6. What Is a Good SAT Essay Score? 

Previously, a good SAT Essay score would be a 5-6 in reading, writing, and analysis. However, the College Board has discontinued the optional SAT Essay. 

As of January 2021, the SAT Essay is only available in states that require it on SAT School Days. Contact your principal or school counselor to see if your school participates.

7. What Is the Best SAT Score? 

The best possible SAT score is 1600. 

8. Is a 1500 SAT Score Good for Harvard? 

Achieving a 1500 SAT score would put you in the middle 50% range of admitted students’ scores. A 1500 SAT score is good for Harvard, but a score closer to 1580 (the 75th percentile) will make you a more competitive applicant. 

Ready to Get a Great SAT Score? 

There’s no minimum number that can be considered a good SAT score. But if you want to attend a top-ranked school, aim for 1440-1570 to match the average applicant. 

Now you better understand how the SAT is formatted and how you can prepare. You should study regularly for the SAT because the more you practice, the easier it will be. Good luck! 

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The SAT: Percentiles and ScoresWhat is a Good SAT Score?Good SAT Scores for Popular Colleges in the U.S.What Is a Good SAT Score For the Ivy League?What is an Above Average SAT Score?How to Get a Good SAT ScoreFAQs: What Makes a Good SAT Score?

”Rohan

Reviewed by:

Rohan Jotwani

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 5/2/23

Want to get the best SAT score possible? This guide will show you the way. 

As you begin your college search, you’ll likely have to take a standardized test and send your test scores to schools. The SAT is one of those tests. You may be wondering, what’s a good SAT score? Competitive SAT scores ultimately depend on which schools you want to attend and how competitive the applicant pools for those schools are. 

Keep reading to find out what the SAT is, how to get a good SAT score, and more!

Book a Free 30 min Call

The SAT: Percentiles and Scores 

Your SAT score is the sum of your section scores. Each section uses a scale of 200-800 points in 10-point increments, so total scores range from 400 to 1600. You earn points based on the number of correct answers you get.

What are the Sections on the SAT?

Here is a chart summarizing the format of each section of the SAT. 

Section # of Questions Time Limit (minutes) Topics
EBRW - Reading 52 (multiple-choice) 65 Defining words in context, identifying main ideas, comparing passages, citing evidence to support claims, etc.
EBRW - Writing 44 (multiple-choice) 35 Fixing syntax and identifying grammatical errors
Math - No-Calculator 20 (15 multiple-choice questions, 5 grid-ins) 25 Algebra, arithmetic, probability, data analysis, geometry, and trigonometry
Math - Calculator 38 (30 multiple-choice questions, 8 grid-ins) 55 Real-world applications of the above math topics using graphs and word problems

Your SAT scores are typically available a few weeks after the test date. SAT scores must be reported from the College Board directly. When you sign up for an SAT date, you can register to send free score reports to a maximum of four target schools (and pay for extras).

What is a Good SAT Score?

It’s best to aim for a 1200 minimum, but the expectations of different schools vary. You should research the admission statistics for the schools on your college list and aim to score around the 50th-75th percentile. 

Good SAT Scores for Popular Colleges in the U.S.

So, what is a good score on the SAT for selective programs? Here’s a chart for the top 10 schools in the U.S. and their SAT score statistics. 

Rank School 25th Percentile SAT Score 75th Percentile SAT Score Acceptance Rate
1 Princeton University 1490 1580 5.8%
2 MIT 1520 1580 4.68%
3 Harvard University 1480 1580 3.41%
3 Yale University 1450 1560 4.35%
6 Stanford University 1500 1570 3.68%
Rank School 25th Percentile SAT Score 75th Percentile SAT Score Acceptance Rate
6 University of Chicago 1510 1560 6%
7 University of Pennsylvania 1510 1560 4.1%
7 Johns Hopkins University 1520 1560 8%
9 Caltech 1530 1580 4%
10 Northwestern University 1500 1560 7%

What Is a Good SAT Score For the Ivy League?

Using the numbers from the above chart, here’s an example of how you would calculate a good SAT score for the Ivy League. Say you want to apply to Harvard, Yale, and UPenn. Harvard’s middle 50% range is 1480-1580, Yale’s is 1450-1560, and UPenn’s is 1510-1560. 

What’s considered a good SAT score for Ivy League schools depends on class profile data. However, you should aim to score toward the 75th percentile for the most competitive Ivy League school on your list. That way, you’ll have competitive SAT scores for all the schools you want to attend. 

What is an Above Average SAT Score?

The average SAT composite score is 1051, with the average score for math being 523 and EBRW being 528. A score above 1040 is above-average, and a score above 1200 puts you in the 75th percentile (the top 25% of test-takers). 

Here’s a chart of SAT scores and their percentiles, meaning what percentage of test-takers got a specific score. These numbers may vary slightly every year. 

Percentile Total Score EBRW Score Math Score
95% 1440 710 750
90% 1350 670 690
75% 1200 610 600
50% 1050 530 520
25% 900 450 440

Source: College Board

Keep in mind that these numbers may vary slightly every year. 

How to Get a Good SAT Score

Tips for Getting a Good SAT Score

So, how do you get a good SAT score? If you haven’t already taken the SAT or you’re planning to retake it, these valuable tips to get a better score can help you maximize your chances of success. 

If you’re unhappy with your score, consider retaking the SAT. Invest the time to work on your weaknesses and practice taking the test repeatedly. 

FAQs: What Makes a Good SAT Score?

Still have questions about your SAT scores? We’ve got you covered. 

1. What Is a Good SAT Score? 

While it’s a good idea to aim for 1200, a good SAT score is whatever score is competitive at your desired colleges. 

2. Is 1100 A Decent SAT Score? 

An SAT score of 1100 can get you into many schools. Below are some colleges that accept students with an 1100 SAT score.

School 25th Percentile SAT Score 75th Percentile SAT Score Acceptance Rate
Georgia State University 960 1170 69%
University of Northern Iowa 1080 1300 86%
California State University - Long Beach 1040 1250 47%
University of Hartford 1090 1300 79%
Western Kentucky University 990 1160 98%

3. Is 1200 a Good SAT Score?

The average score on the SAT is 1200. 1200 is a good score on the SAT and would put you in good standing at these colleges: 

School 25th Percentile SAT Score 75th Percentile SAT Score Acceptance Rate
University of Colorado Boulder 1170 1380 80%
Auburn University 1240 1370 71%
Michigan State University 1110 1320 83%
University of Tampa 1100 1260 54%
Washington State University 1020 1260 86%

4. Is 1300 a Good Score?

A score of 1300 means you have an above-average SAT score. 1300 is a great SAT score if you want to apply to any of these schools: 

School 25th Percentile SAT Score 75th Percentile SAT Score Acceptance Rate
Ohio State University 1118 1318 57%
Fordham University 1330 1460 54%
University of California, Davis 1160 1370 40%
Loyola Marymount University 1280 1430 46%
Florida State University 1220 1360 23%

5. Is 1400 a Good SAT Score?

1400 is an excellent SAT score. You can get into many popular colleges with a 1400 SAT score. 

School 25th Percentile SAT Score 75th Percentile SAT Score Acceptance Rate
University of Michigan 1350 1530 17.7%
University of Texas at Austin 1230 1480 28.7%
University of California, Santa Barbara 1230 1480 25.9%
Villanova University 1320 1470 20.5%
George Washington University 1320 1460 50%

A score of 1400 is great for the SAT. Remember, many colleges have adopted test-optional applications. A good SAT score isn’t the only element that matters. If your test scores don’t reflect your academic potential, ensure your application shows off your strengths!

6. What Is a Good SAT Essay Score? 

Previously, a good SAT Essay score would be a 5-6 in reading, writing, and analysis. However, the College Board has discontinued the optional SAT Essay. 

As of January 2021, the SAT Essay is only available in states that require it on SAT School Days. Contact your principal or school counselor to see if your school participates.

7. What Is the Best SAT Score? 

The best possible SAT score is 1600. 

8. Is a 1500 SAT Score Good for Harvard? 

Achieving a 1500 SAT score would put you in the middle 50% range of admitted students’ scores. A 1500 SAT score is good for Harvard, but a score closer to 1580 (the 75th percentile) will make you a more competitive applicant. 

Ready to Get a Great SAT Score? 

There’s no minimum number that can be considered a good SAT score. But if you want to attend a top-ranked school, aim for 1440-1570 to match the average applicant. 

Now you better understand how the SAT is formatted and how you can prepare. You should study regularly for the SAT because the more you practice, the easier it will be. Good luck! 

Free SAT>ACT Score Converter

Click here!

Free SAT>ACT Score Converter

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