Key takeaways
- The SAT has Math and Reading Writing sections, scored between 200 and 800 each, to create a possible combined score between 400 and 1,600.
- A “good” SAT score is subjective, but students need to score a 1,010 to perform better than 50% of other SAT test takers.
- You can improve your SAT results by studying, taking practice exams, creating SMART goals, and preparing early.
There’s no single answer to “What is a good SAT score?”, but the highest score you can receive on the SAT is a 1600. A higher score could mean a higher chance of acceptance at your dream college or result in some scholarships. To determine your “good” SAT score, review the percentiles, rankings, and your overall goals.
How is the SAT scored?
The SAT consists of a Math section and a Reading/Writing section. Each is graded between 200 and 800. These are then combined to create the SAT Combined score: 400 to 1,600.
What is a good SAT score?
A “good” SAT score is subjective and will vary by student expectation. One student might only consider a 1600 “good,” while another is happy with a 1450, which was a 100-point increase over their previous scores.
To determine your SAT goals, consider your previous results, review your colleges’ accepted averages, and look at score distributions.
SAT score distribution
Score distribution or percentile charts show you how you compared to other students who took the SAT. The table below highlights the last three years’ user group percentiles. Your percentile tells you what percentage of students you scored higher than. For example, if you scored a 1460, you performed better than 96% of students.
| Total Score | User Group Percentiles |
| 1560 – 1600 | 99+ |
| 1530 – 1550 | 99 |
| 1500 – 1520 | 98 |
| 1470 – 1490 | 97 |
| 1450 – 1460 | 96 |
| 1430 – 1440 | 95 |
| 1410 – 1420 | 94 |
| 1390 – 1400 | 93 |
| 1380 | 92 |
| 1360 – 1370 | 91 |
| 1350 | 90 |
| 1330 – 1340 | 89 |
| 1320 | 88 |
| 1310 | 87 |
| 1300 | 86 |
| 1290 | 85 |
| 1270 – 1280 | 84 |
| 1260 | 83 |
| 1250 | 82 |
| 1240 | 81 |
| 1230 | 80 |
| 1220 | 79 |
| 1210 | 77 |
| 1200 | 76 |
| 1190 | 75 |
| 1180 | 74 |
| 1170 | 73 |
| 1160 | 71 |
| 1150 | 70 |
| 1140 | 69 |
| 1130 | 68 |
| 1120 | 66 |
| 1110 | 65 |
| 1100 | 63 |
| 1090 | 62 |
| 1080 | 60 |
| 1070 | 59 |
| 1060 | 57 |
| 1050 | 56 |
| 1040 | 54 |
| 1030 | 53 |
| 1020 | 51 |
| 1010 | 50 |
| 1000 | 48 |
| 990 | 47 |
| 980 | 45 |
| 970 | 44 |
| 960 | 42 |
| 950 | 41 |
| 940 | 39 |
| 930 | 37 |
| 920 | 36 |
| 910 | 34 |
| 900 | 33 |
| 890 | 31 |
| 880 | 30 |
| 870 | 28 |
| 860 | 27 |
| 850 | 25 |
| 840 | 24 |
| 830 | 22 |
| 820 | 21 |
| 810 | 19 |
| 800 | 18 |
| 790 | 16 |
| 780 | 15 |
| 770 | 13 |
| 760 | 12 |
| 750 | 11 |
| 740 | 9 |
| 730 | 8 |
| 720 | 7 |
| 710 | 6 |
| 700 | 5 |
| 680 | 4 |
| 650 – 670 | 3 |
| 610 – 640 | 2 |
| 530 – 600 | 1 |
| 400 – 520 | 1- |
As you can see from this table, the 50th percentile falls at 1010 out of 1600. Anything below a 1010 is a below-average score, while anything above is an above-average result.
Why does a good SAT score matter?
A good SAT score can impact your opportunities after high school including college admissions and scholarship opportunities. Here’s how.
College SAT requirements
Many colleges and universities still require SAT (or ACT) scores for admissions, but most schools don’t publish a “required” SAT score. Instead, students can look at the scores of other students who have been admitted to see how selective the college is.
Generally, these figures are reported as a distribution of the 25th and 75th percentile of the SAT scores of admitted students. In other words, it gives you a way to determine, roughly, what an “average” score might look like for students at that college.
College Raptor displays the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT scores for admitted students on each school profile for the previous admissions cycle, allowing you to see where you fall in the distribution. For example, the Swarthmore College page contains this graph:
If you received a 1,560 SAT combined score, you’re in the 75th percentile of accepted Swarthmore College students.
You can see more information on SAT ranges by signing up for College Match or checking out your colleges’ Common Data Set documents.
However, your chances of admission will, of course, also be based on the rest of your application. Other factors that play a role in your college acceptance chances include:
- extracurricular activities
- volunteer work
- recommendation letters
- GPA
- the rigor of your class schedule
- and more.
Merit-based scholarships
Your SAT score can be worth a lot – literally.
Beyond just looking better on your college applications, higher test scores can mean that you qualify for more scholarships. Many schools offer specific merit awards based on academic achievement. So, improving your score could earn you thousands of dollars in financial aid from some colleges.
You can find merit-based scholarships through your college and online scholarship databases.
SAT Percentile FAQ
New to the SAT? These are some common questions we see.
What is the highest score on the SAT?
The highest score you can earn on the SAT is a 1,600 combined, or 800 on each of the two sections.
How can I improve my SAT score?
To improve your SAT score:
- Set goals. Determine your target score by researching the 25th and 75th percentiles of accepted students at your potential colleges. You can also review your previous test results and build on that. Make sure your goal is SMART.
- Make a schedule. Set aside time each week to study, alternating reviewing questions and material and taking practice tests.
- Take practice tests. Practice tests with time limits, breaks, and no cheating help you prepare for the real deal. Review your results and take note of your strengths and weaknesses.
- Create a game plan. If you perform weakly on the math section, you’ll want to study the questions and principles you answered incorrectly. Once you feel like you have a handle on it, take another practice test to see where you improved and what still needs work.
- Use resources. There are free SAT prep resources available online through College Board, school libraries, apps, and more.
- Prepare for test day. Don’t crunch the night before. Get a good night’s rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and don’t forget your admissions ticket for the exam.
- Take the test more than once. Sit for the exam at least once during your junior year, and continue taking it in the coming months to improve your score. The College Board states that “most students get a higher score the second time.”
Where can I find my SAT score and percentile?
You can find your SAT scores (Combined, Math, and Reading and Writing) on your College Board account. Your score report summary will also highlight your percentile, performance on the content areas within each section, and a Career Insights Snapshot.
What should you aim for on the SAT?
A good SAT score for one student might be a great score for another. To determine what number you should aim for, consider the colleges you want to get into and your own personal goals. If you reach that score, you can always aim higher.
When creating a target score for the SAT, we recommend researching the 25th and 75th percentiles of accepted students at your colleges. College Raptor makes it easy to see what your schools are looking for – and how you stack up against previously accepted students. Sign up for College Match today to find out more.
