What is a Good SAT Score?

The highest possible score on the SAT is 1600 points. The current average SAT score is 1060.

A "good" SAT score depends on the colleges and universities you are considering. A score of 1200 on the SAT is above the current national average and will make you a strong applicant at many universities, but it may fall below the average score for accepted students at more selective colleges. The higher your SAT score, the more options are available to you.

Read on to learn more about SAT scoring.

Average SAT Scores

The SAT is scored on a 400–1600 point scale. The test is comprised of two sections, each scored between 200–800. The average SAT score for the class of 2017 was 1060.

Source:  The College Board

If you are close to the national average SAT score, you have a good chance at getting accepted into a variety of colleges and universities ( good grades will help!), but may not be competitive at more selective schools. Above-average scores improve your chances.

A score that is well below average is considered low at just about any four-year school. You may be able to balance low scores with a standout college application at some colleges, but even if you're accepted, the school may ask you to take some college readiness courses before enrolling.

Good SAT Scores for YOUR Goals

Not sure how you measure up? Check out the SAT score ranges for the schools on your wishlist, and see how your scores compare. You can use our college search to find the online profiles of schools you want to research. Find your dream school's profile and click over to the "Admissions" tab.

Sample College Profile

Our college profiles report the middle 50% range of test scores for entering first-year students. Do your scores fall in the lower end, or even below, the school's average range? That school may be a long shot (though still possible with some SAT prep !). Do your scores fall well within the school's average range? That college or university could be a match!

Remember, the SAT score range you see is from the old SAT because it reflects students who applied to college before the test was redesigned. To see how your SAT scores compare, up, convert your new SAT scores to the old SAT scale using the College Board’s online conversion tool. Read SAT score conversion instructions here.  

SAT Scoring: The Higher, the Better

Unless you pulled a perfect SAT score of 1600, you can always improve your score. While colleges consider a lot of factors when they make admissions decisions, standardized test scores are an important piece of your college application. Higher scores mean more college options for you.

A good SAT score can also help you snag additional merit scholarship money. Even if your dream college is test-optional, or you have already been accepted to a college, you may want to consider taking the test again (say, in December or January of senior year) for scholarship applications. Our college counselors can help you with testing plans and matching your scores to schools.

What are My Options?

Want to talk about YOUR scores in more detail and figure out what comes next? Our SAT experts will go over your personal score report and help you determine what the next step should be. Talk to an Advisor at  1-800-2REVIEW.

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