Is My SAT Score Good?
Enter your SAT score below to instantly see your percentile ranking, how you compare to other students, and what colleges match your score.
How to Find Your SAT Score Target
Follow these steps to determine the SAT score you need for your dream colleges.
Research Your Target Schools
Make a list of 8-12 colleges you're interested in. Include reach, match, and safety schools to have a balanced application strategy.
Find the Middle 50% Range
Look up each school's "middle 50%" SAT range on their admissions page. This shows the scores of the 25th to 75th percentile of admitted students.
Aim for the 75th Percentile
To be competitive, aim for the 75th percentile score or above. Scoring at or above this level means your score is a strength in your application.
Consider Scholarships
Check each school's scholarship requirements. Many offer automatic merit aid at specific SAT thresholds. Use our SAT Score Calculator to practice.
SAT Score Percentile Chart 2026
This comprehensive chart shows what percentage of test-takers you outscored based on your SAT score.
| SAT Score | Percentile | Rating | College Competitiveness |
|---|
Understanding SAT Percentiles
What does your percentile actually mean for college admissions?
What is a Percentile?
Your percentile indicates the percentage of test-takers who scored lower than you. If you're in the 80th percentile, you scored higher than 80% of students who took the SAT.
Nationally Representative
SAT percentiles are calculated based on all SAT test-takers nationwide, providing a standardized comparison across different test dates and locations.
Non-Linear Scale
A 50-point increase from 1000 to 1050 represents a smaller percentile jump than a 50-point increase from 1400 to 1450. Higher scores have more competition per point.
SAT Scores for Different College Tiers
See the typical SAT score ranges for different types of colleges and universities.
Ivy League & Top 10
Examples: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Stanford, Columbia, UPenn, Duke
Top 20 Universities
Examples: Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Rice, Notre Dame, Georgetown, UCLA, UC Berkeley
Top 50 Universities
Examples: Boston College, NYU, Tulane, University of Florida, Ohio State, UT Austin
State Flagships
Examples: Penn State, University of Arizona, Colorado, Iowa State, Oregon, Indiana
Most 4-Year Colleges
Examples: Many regional universities, liberal arts colleges, and test-optional institutions
SAT Score FAQs
Get answers to the most common questions about SAT scores, percentiles, and college admissions.
A 1100 SAT score is slightly above the national average of 1060, placing you in approximately the 59th percentile. This means you scored higher than 59% of test-takers. This score is competitive for many state universities and community colleges, but you may want to aim higher for more selective institutions. Consider preparing with our SAT Reading & Writing resources.
A 1200 SAT score is a good score that places you in the 74th percentile. This means you scored better than nearly three-quarters of all test-takers. A 1200 is competitive for many state flagship universities and can qualify you for merit scholarships at numerous institutions. This is a solid foundation that shows strong academic ability.
A 1300 SAT score is a very good score, placing you in the 87th percentile. This score makes you competitive for top 50 universities and many honors programs. It demonstrates strong academic ability and opens doors to substantial merit aid opportunities at many schools.
A 1400 SAT score is an excellent score in the 94th percentile. This score makes you a competitive applicant for top 20 universities and highly selective programs. Students with 1400+ scores often receive significant merit scholarships and are strong candidates for competitive honors programs.
A 1450 SAT score is an outstanding score in the 96th percentile. This places you within the typical admitted student range for many top 15 universities. A 1450 demonstrates exceptional academic preparation and makes you competitive for Ivy League and equivalent institutions.
A 1500 SAT score is an exceptional score in the 98th percentile. This score is within the middle 50% range for Ivy League and top 10 universities. Scoring 1500+ demonstrates mastery of the SAT content and makes you highly competitive at the most selective institutions in the country.
The national average SAT score is approximately 1060 (out of 1600). This breaks down to roughly 530 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section and 530 on the Math section. The average varies slightly year to year but has remained relatively consistent. Use our Score Calculators 2026 to estimate your score.
For Ivy League schools, you typically need an SAT score of 1480-1570 to be competitive. The middle 50% of admitted students at schools like Harvard, Princeton, and Yale score between 1500-1570. However, remember that Ivy League admissions are holistic, considering essays, extracurriculars, recommendations, and more alongside test scores.
Scholarship requirements vary widely. Many state universities offer automatic merit scholarships starting at 1200-1300. Competitive full-tuition scholarships typically require 1400+. National Merit Scholarship semifinalist status requires a PSAT score in the top 1% (approximately equivalent to a 1460+ SAT). Research specific schools for their scholarship thresholds.
A 1350 SAT score places you in approximately the 91st percentile. This means you scored higher than 91% of all SAT test-takers. It's a strong score that makes you competitive for top 30-50 universities and many honors programs.
The national average SAT score is 1060. If your score is above 1060, you've outperformed the average test-taker. Scores of 1200+ put you in the top 26%, 1300+ in the top 13%, 1400+ in the top 6%, and 1500+ in the top 2% of all test-takers nationally.
Consider retaking the SAT if: (1) Your score is below your target schools' middle 50% range, (2) You had testing issues like illness or anxiety, (3) You haven't fully prepared yet, or (4) You have time before application deadlines. Most students improve 40-60 points on their second attempt with dedicated prep. Practice with our SAT Vocabulary Flashcards to boost your verbal score. However, if you've already hit your target range or taken the test 3+ times with minimal improvement, your time may be better spent on other application components.