Is My SAT Score Good? SAT Score Benchmarks
Compare your SAT score to average scores and percentiles. Set a practical target based on your college goals.
Quick SAT Score Check
Enter your total SAT score to see a benchmark summary.
1000–1190
1200–1390
1400–1490
1500+
How to find your SAT score target
Best practice for goal-setting with SAT scores.
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SAT Score Percentile Chart 2026
See exactly where your SAT score ranks among all test-takers.
| SAT Score | Percentile | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 1600 | 99%+ | Perfect score, top 1% |
| 1550 | 99% | Elite score, highly competitive |
| 1500 | 98% | Top tier, Ivy-competitive |
| 1450 | 96% | Excellent, selective schools |
| 1400 | 94% | Strong, above most applicants |
| 1350 | 91% | Very good, competitive |
| 1300 | 87% | Good, above average |
| 1250 | 81% | Solid, many options |
| 1200 | 74% | Above average |
| 1150 | 66% | Slightly above average |
| 1100 | 58% | Average range |
| 1050 | 49% | Near national average |
| 1000 | 40% | Below average |
| 950 | 31% | Room for improvement |
| 900 | 23% | Consider retaking |
SAT Scores for Different College Tiers
What SAT score do you need for your target schools? Here's a realistic breakdown.
Ivy League & Top 10
1500–1570Top 20 Universities
1450–1540Top 50 Universities
1350–1480State Flagships
1200–1400Most 4-Year Colleges
1000–1250SAT Score FAQs
Answers to the most common questions about SAT scores.
Is 1100 a good SAT score?
A 1100 is around the 58th percentile, meaning you scored higher than about 58% of test-takers. It's near the national average and acceptable for many colleges, but you may want to aim higher for competitive schools.
Is 1200 a good SAT score?
Yes, 1200 is a good SAT score. It places you at the 74th percentile, above the national average. This score is competitive for many state universities and some selective private colleges.
Is 1300 a good SAT score?
A 1300 is a very good score, putting you at the 87th percentile. You've outscored most test-takers and are competitive for many selective universities.
Is 1400 a good SAT score?
Absolutely. A 1400 is an excellent score at the 94th percentile. This makes you competitive for highly selective schools and puts you in strong position for merit scholarships.
Is 1450 a good SAT score?
Yes, 1450 is an excellent score (96th percentile). You're competitive for top-50 universities and within range for many top-20 schools depending on other factors.
Is 1500 a good SAT score?
A 1500 is a top-tier score at the 98th percentile. This score makes you competitive for Ivy League and other highly selective universities.
What is the average SAT score?
The national average SAT score is approximately 1050. This means half of all test-takers score above 1050 and half score below. Scores above 1200 are considered above average.
What SAT score do I need for Ivy League?
Most Ivy League admits have SAT scores between 1500-1570. However, admissions are holistic—strong scores alone don't guarantee admission, and slightly lower scores don't disqualify you if other parts of your application are exceptional.
What SAT score do I need for a scholarship?
Merit scholarship requirements vary by school. Generally, scores above 1400 qualify for significant merit aid at many universities. Some schools offer automatic scholarships at certain score thresholds—check your target schools' specific policies.
What percentile is a 1350 SAT score?
A 1350 SAT score is at the 91st percentile, meaning you scored higher than 91% of all test-takers. This is a strong score that makes you competitive for many selective colleges.
How does my SAT score compare to the national average?
The national average is about 1050. If you scored 1200, you're 150 points above average (74th percentile). At 1400, you're 350 points above average (94th percentile). Use our percentile chart above to see exactly where you stand.
Should I retake the SAT?
Consider retaking if: (1) your score is below your target schools' middle 50% range, (2) you had test-day issues affecting performance, or (3) you haven't fully prepared yet. Most students improve 50-100 points with focused practice.
Understanding SAT Percentiles
What percentiles really mean for your college applications.
SAT percentiles show how your score compares to other students. A 75th percentile means you scored higher than 75% of test-takers. Colleges use percentiles alongside your actual score to understand where you stand. Remember: percentiles matter more than the raw score difference—jumping from 1400 to 1450 (94th to 96th percentile) is a smaller relative improvement than jumping from 1100 to 1150 (58th to 66th percentile).
Related SAT Resources
Learn more about SAT scoring and test preparation.