What is the average SAT score in the United States?

The national average SAT composite score is approximately 1010 out of 1600, based on recent College Board data. The section averages are approximately 520 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) and 490 for Math. This means a student scoring 1010 is at roughly the 50th percentile — performing better than half of all test-takers. The average has declined slightly from the 2022 class (approximately 1050) due to pandemic-related learning disruptions and expanded test access through fee waivers.

What SAT score do you need for a scholarship?

Scholarship SAT requirements vary widely. State merit scholarships commonly require 1170–1290 for standard awards and 1390+ for full-tuition awards. For example, Georgia HOPE requires 1200, Florida Bright Futures (Presidential Award) requires 1290, and Tennessee HOPE requires 1060. National Merit Scholarship cutoffs (Selection Index, based on PSAT) vary by state but typically correspond to SAT scores of 1460–1520+. College-specific merit scholarships often have their own SAT minimums — research each school's aid office for exact thresholds.

Is a 1200 SAT score good?

A 1200 SAT score places you at approximately the 75th percentile — you scored higher than about 75% of all test-takers. This is a solid, above-average score that is competitive for many universities including many state flagship schools and moderately selective private colleges. A 1200 is not competitive for highly selective schools (Ivy League, MIT, Stanford) but is adequate for the majority of 4-year institutions in the United States and makes you eligible for many merit scholarship programs.

How does the SAT compare to the ACT for college admissions?

Both the SAT and ACT are accepted by all U.S. colleges and universities. Neither is preferred over the other in admissions. The SAT is scored 400–1600; the ACT is scored 1–36. A 1010 SAT is roughly equivalent to a 19 on the ACT (national average for ACT is also approximately 19–20). Students are encouraged to take a practice test of each to see which format they prefer. The Digital SAT's adaptive format and calculator-permitted Math section tend to work well for students who struggle with time pressure.

Can you retake the SAT to improve your score above average?

Yes — most students improve their score on subsequent attempts, especially with targeted preparation. Students who take the SAT twice improve an average of 40–50 points on the second attempt without additional prep. With structured practice, improvements of 100–200 points are common. College Board allows up to 12 SAT attempts. Since most colleges superscore (take the best section scores from multiple attempts), strategic retaking — focusing on one section at a time — is an effective approach for students seeking to move above the national average.

Average SAT Score 2026–2026 — National Averages, Percentiles, and Good Score Benchmarks

Q: What is a good SAT score?

A good SAT score depends on where you are applying. Generally: 1100+ is above average (above 60th percentile); 1200+ is competitive for most 4-year universities (above 75th percentile); 1350+ is strong for selective schools (above 90th percentile); 1450+ is competitive for highly selective schools (above 96th percentile). A score of 1010 (the national average) is adequate for many broad-access colleges but unlikely to be competitive for selective admissions. Always compare your score to the middle 50% range of each specific school you are applying to.

Average SAT score 2026–2026: national average score, section averages, percentile rankings, what is a good SAT score by college tier, and how to interpret your results.

SAT - Scholastic Assessment TestApr 20, 20268 min read

Average SAT Score 2026–2026 — National Averages, Percentiles, and Good Score Benchmarks

National Average SAT Score 2025–2026

The national average SAT composite score is approximately 1010 out of 1600. This means a student scoring 1010 is performing at roughly the 50th percentile — better than half of all test-takers. Section averages are approximately 520 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) and 490 for Math.

The average has shifted slightly in recent years as the SAT transitioned to its Digital SAT format in 2024. The Digital SAT uses adaptive testing — the difficulty of your second module adjusts based on your first module performance — which can affect how students experience the exam but does not change the underlying 400–1600 scoring scale.

Average by class year (approximate):

Class of 2024: 1010 composite (ERW: 519, Math: 491)
Class of 2023: 1028 composite (last year of paper SAT for most students)
Class of 2022: 1050 composite

The decline in averages from 2022 to 2024 reflects the broader effects of pandemic-related learning disruptions and increased diversity in test-takers as fee waivers expanded access. It does not indicate the exam has become harder.

Average by gender: Male students average slightly higher on the Math section (~15 points), while female students average slightly higher on the ERW section (~10 points). Overall composite averages are nearly identical by gender.

Average by first-generation college students: First-generation college students score an average of approximately 940 — about 70 points below the national mean. Colleges that use SAT scores in context of socioeconomic background take these gaps into account.

National Average Sat Score 2025–2026 - SAT - Scholastic Assessment Test certification study resource

SAT Score Overview — Key Benchmarks

National Average1010

Composite average: ~1010 out of 1600
ERW average: ~520 out of 800
Math average: ~490 out of 800

Score Range400–1600

Minimum score: 400 (200 per section)
Maximum score: 1600 (800 per section)
Scale: Two sections: ERW + Math

Good Score1200+

Above average: 1100+ (above 60th percentile)
Competitive: 1200+ (above 75th percentile)
Highly selective: 1400+ (above 95th percentile)

Percentile Milestones

Top 10%: Score of approximately 1340+
Top 25%: Score of approximately 1200+
Top 50%: Score of approximately 1010+

SAT Percentile Rankings Explained

SAT percentile rankings tell you what percentage of test-takers scored lower than you. A score at the 75th percentile means you outperformed 75% of all students who took the exam. College Board publishes percentile tables annually — below are approximate benchmarks based on recent data.

SAT composite score percentiles (approximate):

1580–1600: 99th percentile
1500: 98th percentile
1400: 94–95th percentile
1300: 86–88th percentile
1200: 74–76th percentile
1100: 58–62nd percentile
1010: ~50th percentile (national average)
900: 30–35th percentile
800: 16–19th percentile

Why percentiles matter more than raw scores: Colleges use percentiles to understand where an applicant falls relative to the applicant pool — not just the national average. A 1400 is in the top 5% nationally, but at MIT or Stanford, it is below the 25th percentile of admitted students. Always compare your score to the 25th–75th percentile range of each school you are applying to (available in the Common Data Set for each institution).

Section percentiles: ERW and Math are percentiled separately. A student can be at the 70th percentile in ERW and only the 45th percentile in Math. Colleges in STEM fields weight Math percentile more heavily. Liberal arts programs often look at the composite. Use section percentiles to identify which area needs the most preparation before retaking.

SAT Section Score Averages

The Digital SAT consists of 2 sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) and Math. Each is scored 200–800.

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW): National average approximately 520. ERW tests reading comprehension, vocabulary in context, grammar, and rhetorical analysis. Students who read broadly tend to score higher on ERW without specific preparation. The section is 64 minutes, 54 questions across 2 adaptive modules.

Math: National average approximately 490. Math tests algebra, advanced math (quadratics, exponentials), problem solving, and data analysis. Calculator is permitted for the entire Math section on the Digital SAT. Students weak in algebra — the largest portion — see the biggest gains from targeted prep. The section is 70 minutes, 44 questions across 2 adaptive modules.

Use our SAT Score Calculator to estimate your composite from section scores and find your percentile.

What Is a Good SAT Score? — By College Tier

A "good" SAT score is relative to the colleges you are applying to. Here is a breakdown of competitive score ranges by admissions tier.

Highly selective (acceptance rate under 15%): Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Princeton. Middle 50% SAT range: approximately 1500–1580. A score below 1450 is unlikely to be competitive at these schools. Perfect or near-perfect scores (1550+) are common among admitted students.

Selective (acceptance rate 15–35%): Boston University, NYU, UC Berkeley, University of Michigan, Georgetown. Middle 50% range: approximately 1300–1480. A score of 1350+ is competitive; 1450+ is strong.

Moderately selective (acceptance rate 35–60%): University of Colorado, University of Oregon, Purdue (many programs), Miami (FL). Middle 50% range: approximately 1150–1350. A score of 1200+ is solid; above 1300 is competitive for merit aid.

Open/broad access institutions: Many community colleges, regional state universities. No minimum SAT for admission in most cases; SAT used for placement or scholarship purposes only. Any score above 900 is typically sufficient.

Merit scholarships: Many state scholarship programs (e.g., Georgia HOPE, Tennessee Promise, Florida Bright Futures) have SAT minimums for different award tiers — typically 1170–1290 for standard scholarships and 1390+ for full-tuition awards. Research your state's requirements early.

How to Improve Your SAT Score Above the National Average

The national average of 1010 represents the midpoint — roughly half of students score higher. For most 4-year college applications, a score above 1100 is beneficial, and above 1200 opens significantly more competitive options. Here is how to move your score upward.

Identify your weakest section first: If your ERW score is 500 and Math is 450, Math is the higher-leverage target. A 50-point Math improvement has the same composite effect as a 50-point ERW improvement, but Math is more amenable to direct skill practice (algebra rules, formula memorization) than ERW (which requires sustained reading exposure).

Take a full-length practice test under timed conditions: The only way to build exam-day stamina and accuracy is to simulate the real experience. College Board's Bluebook app offers official Digital SAT practice tests. Start with a diagnostic to establish your baseline before planning targeted study.

Target the Math subsections strategically: On the Digital SAT Math, Advanced Math (quadratics, exponential functions) and Algebra together account for more than 60% of questions. Improving in these 2 areas alone can add 50–100 points. Problem Solving and Data Analysis questions are the next priority.

Use Khan Academy's Official SAT Prep: College Board's partnership with Khan Academy provides free personalized SAT practice. After linking your PSAT or SAT scores, Khan Academy generates a custom practice plan targeting your specific weak areas. Students who complete 20+ hours of Khan Academy practice improve an average of 115 points.

Practice with our Free Scholastic Assessment Test SAT Practice test 2026 and also review our SAT test dates to plan your retake schedule.

Start Free SAT Practice Test