What is a good SAT score?
Updated October 5, 2026
The College Board's own answer is the right one to start with: a good SAT score is one that helps you get into a college you want to go to. Each school has its own expectations, so the useful number is the score at the schools on your list.
If you want a general picture, percentiles tell you how a score compares with other test takers. A percentile is the share of students who scored at or below you.
Source: College Board: understanding SAT scores (percentiles)
SAT percentiles by total score
| Total score | Nationally representative percentile | User group percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 1600 | 99+ | 99+ |
| 1500 | 99 | 97 |
| 1400 | 97 | 93 |
| 1300 | 91 | 85 |
| 1200 | 81 | 75 |
| 1100 | 67 | 62 |
| 1000 | 48 | 47 |
User group percentiles cover students who graduated in the past three school years. Source viewed October 5, 2026.
Source: College Board: understanding SAT scores (percentiles)
The average SAT score
The mean total score for the class of 2026 was 1045: 528 in Reading and Writing and 517 in Math.
Source: College Board: 2026 SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report (total group)
The College Board benchmarks
The College Board sets a benchmark of 480 for Reading and Writing and 530 for Math. Students at or above them have a 75% likelihood of earning a C or better in a related first-semester college course. 42% of the class of 2026 met both.
Sources: College Board: Understanding Scores (Fall 2026, students and families); College Board: 2026 SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report (total group)
Score by score
- Is 1100 a good SAT score?
- Is 1200 a good SAT score?
- Is 1300 a good SAT score?
- Is 1400 a good SAT score?
- Is 1500 a good SAT score?
Start with the free diagnostic. No credit card required.
Start the free diagnosticFrequently asked questions
What is a perfect SAT score?
1600: 800 in each section.
How do I find the scores my colleges expect?
Look up the average SAT score of admitted first-year students at each school on your list. The College Board's BigFuture lists it for thousands of colleges.