What Is a Good SAT Score for College Admissions?

You probably already know that your SAT score (or ACT score) is one of the most important pieces of your college application. Even though many schools have become at least temporarily test-optional, the majority of American universities still require, or at least allow, students to submit standardized test scores from either the SAT or ACT. On top of that, strong SAT scores are often used to award merit scholarships, making them a critical factor not only for college admissions, but also for financial aid.

But what is a good SAT score? And how do you know if your score is strong enough for your dream colleges? The answer isn’t simple, because a good SAT score depends on your target schools, your percentile rank, and how your scores compare to other test takers. Let’s break down how to calculate your goal score by looking at what counts as good SAT scores for your dream college.

What Is a Good SAT Score?

The best SAT score you can earn is a perfect SAT score of 1600, which means an 800 in Math and an 800 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (sometimes referred to as critical reading and writing). The lowest possible total SAT score is 400.

So in the most basic sense, a good SAT score is one that is closer to 1600 and farther from 400. But in reality, “good” is relative. What is considered a good score for one student may not be enough for another, depending on the SAT score ranges at their target colleges.

Admissions officers don’t just look at SAT scores in isolation. They also evaluate them as part of your overall college admissions profile, which includes your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations. Still, your SAT composite score plays an important role in shaping your college admissions strategy.

What Is the Average SAT Score?

According to the College Board, the national average SAT score in recent years has hovered around 1060. That breaks down to about a math score of 530 and a reading and writing score of 530, which together form the average score for U.S. test takers.

However, the national average SAT scores aren’t a very useful benchmark. Comparing your score to the average of all students nationwide doesn’t tell you much about your competitiveness for admission to selective schools. Instead, you should focus on the SAT score ranges for your target schools.

For example, students admitted to Ivy League universities or other top-tier institutions usually have SAT scores well above the national average, often in the 1450–1570 range. That’s why aiming for an above-average score relative to your target colleges is much more important than simply scoring above the national average.

How Is the SAT Scored?

The SAT is designed and administered by the College Board, which also determines how raw results translate into final test scores. Each test date has slightly different score ranks because of variations in test format and difficulty.

Here’s the breakdown:

• The SAT has two main sections: Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing.
• Each section is scored separately on a scale from 200 to 800.
• The two section scores are added together to produce your total score, which ranges from 400 to 1600.

This final number is your SAT composite score. Colleges may also look at percentile scores to understand how you compare to other test takers nationwide.

Taking the SAT Multiple Times

Can you improve your SAT score by taking the test more than once? Absolutely. In fact, most admitted students at top colleges have taken the SAT exam at least twice.

There are two important policies to understand: superscoring and Score Choice.

Superscoring

When colleges use superscoring, they combine your highest section scores across multiple test dates to create the best possible total SAT score to get you closer to your target score. For example, if you earned your best math score on one test date and your best critical reading score on another, superscoring allows colleges to consider the stronger results from each test.

Score Choice

With Score Choice, students can choose which test dates to send to colleges. Some schools allow both superscoring and Score Choice, while others may require you to submit all of your scores. Be sure to check the policies at your target schools before deciding.

Setting Your Target SAT Score

Not every student needs a 1600. The key is figuring out your target SAT score based on your target colleges. Here’s how to set your goals:

1. Create a Target SAT Score Sheet

List your dream schools and target schools. Then, find the 75th percentile SAT scores for each. These represent the scores that put you ahead of 75% of admitted students.

2. Compare Score Ranges

Look at the score range between the 25th percentile and 75th percentile for admitted students. Your goal score should be at or above the 75th percentile whenever possible.

3. Take a Diagnostic Test

Use a full-length practice test from the College Board or a trusted prep company. This will show how close you are to your target score and help identify areas for score improvement.

4. Plan Your SAT Prep

If your practice results reveal a low SAT score or a below-average score range, don’t panic. With the right test prep, you can raise your score to be in the 75th percentile or above. Many students improve significantly through structured SAT prep, tutoring, or dedicated study schedules.

What If Your SAT Score Is Too Low?

A low SAT score doesn’t mean your college dreams are over. Plenty of test takers retake the exam and improve their results. Here are some proven strategies:

• Analyze diagnostic reports: Check your strengths and weaknesses in each section.
• Focus on section scores: Maybe your math percentile is strong, but your writing scores need work.
• Build a timeline: Give yourself several weeks to prepare before the next SAT test date.
• Invest in test prep: Whether through tutoring, courses, or self-study, the right SAT prep plan can help.
• Retake the SAT exam: Most students see higher scores the second or third time around.

SAT Score Ranges at Top Colleges

To understand what is a good SAT score based on your ambitions, let’s look at the SAT score ranges at Ivy League and other elite universities.

School	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Acceptance Rate
Princeton University	1460	1580	6%
Harvard University	1460	1580	5%
Columbia University	1450	1560	5%
Yale University	1460	1560	6%
MIT	1500	1570	7%
Stanford University	1420	1570	4%
University of Chicago	1490	1570	6%
UPenn	1440	1560	7%
Northwestern University	1430	1550	9%
Duke University	1450	1570	7%

 

As you can see, the SAT score ranges at these schools are much higher than the national average SAT scores. To be competitive, you’ll likely need a solid score at or above the 75th percentile.

Upgrade from an Average SAT Score to the 75th Percentile

So, what is a good SAT score? Ultimately, a good SAT score is the one that gets you into your dream school and helps you stand out among other test takers. For some students, that means scoring well above the national average. For others, it means pushing their section scores into the 1500s to compete at an Ivy League school.

No matter where you are in that spectrum of scores, remember: your SAT scores are just one piece of your college admissions profile. Strong grades, impactful extracurriculars, and powerful essays matter just as much. But with focused SAT prep, effective use of practice tests, and clear target objectives, you can achieve the strong SAT scores you need to impress admissions officers and reach your dream colleges.

At Spark Admissions, we guide students through every step of the college application process, from building strong academic profiles to crafting standout applications. But we don’t stop there: we also help students develop essential skills, gain meaningful experiences, and grow as leaders and thinkers.

Contact Spark Admissions today to start building your strongest application.

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