1. Why “good” is a relative concept
Before we pin down numbers, let’s get one thing clear: there’s no one universally “good” SAT score that works for everyone. A score that’s excellent for one student may be mediocre for another — it depends heavily on:
- The selectivity of the colleges you’re applying to
- The competitiveness of your peer cohort
- Whether you’re applying in a test-optional context
- How strong the rest of your application (grades, activities, essays) is
So when someone asks “what’s a good SAT score?”, a more precise reformulation might be:
“What SAT score gives me a competitive chance at the colleges I want?”
With that in mind, let’s review how the SAT scoring works today and where different score bands tend to fall.
2. The SAT scoring basics
2.1 Score ranges and structure
- The SAT composite score ranges from 400 to 1600, made up of two sections:
- Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (EBRW) — 200 to 800
- Math — 200 to 800
- Your composite is the sum of those two.
- Alongside your scores, you’ll receive percentile ranks that tell you how you compare to other test-takers.
- Because the SAT has moved to a digital format (the Bluebook app), there’s some adaptation in how the test is delivered, but the scoring scale remains fundamentally the same.
2.2 National averages and percentiles
- The national average SAT score is roughly around 1050.
- To understand what various score bands mean in terms of percentile: Approx PercentileComposite ScoreInterpretation~50th (median)~1,020 – 1,050“Average” test-taker~75th~1,200Above average; solid~90th~1,350Very competitive~95–99th1,450+Elite / top-tier range
Thus, by percentile benchmarks, you can think:
- A score ~1,200 is “good” — it’s significantly above average
- A score ~1,350 is “very good” — you’re among top test-takers
- A score ~1,450+ is “excellent / elite” — you’ll be competitive at Ivy-level and similarly selective schools
3. What top colleges and competitive programs expect
If your target schools are more selective, “good” must shift upward. Let’s glance at what the top-tier landscape looks like, then scale down for more moderate institutions.
3.1 Elite / Ivy and peer-tier schools
- Many students aiming for Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, Harvard, etc., set their target SAT goal in the range of 1,470 to 1,580+.
- For many of these schools, admitted students fall between 1,470 and 1,550.
- That said, not all applicants to top schools submit SATs (test-optional policies), so these numbers represent those who did submit, often the higher end.
3.2 Competitive public universities / strong regional schools
- Strong public universities, state flagships, and selective private colleges often have middle 50% SAT ranges in the 1,300–1,450 zone.
- For many of these schools, if your SAT is in the upper end of that range (say 1,400–1,450), you’ll have a competitive edge.
3.3 Less selective, safety, or regionally focused schools
- Many colleges (state universities, regional private colleges) have middle 50% scores that start around 1,000 to 1,200 or slightly higher.
- If your SAT is, say, 1,150–1,300, you can be quite competitive for a broad swath of colleges.
3.4 Scholarships & merit aid considerations
- Many institutions offer merit-based aid based on test scores. To qualify for competitive scholarships, students often aim for 1,350+, 1,400+, or 1,500+ to maximize their chances.
- Even if a school is test-optional, a strong SAT can still strengthen your financial aid case or make you eligible for awards.
4. Putting it all together: benchmarks and target zones
To synthesize:
- “Above average” / “good”: ~1,150 to 1,300
- “Very good / competitive”: ~1,300 to 1,400
- “Excellent / elite range”: ~1,400 to 1,600
Thus, a good SAT score is one that:
- Surpasses the national average significantly
- Places you in a strong percentile (e.g., top 25%, top 10%)
- Aligns with or exceeds the 75th percentile score of the colleges you’re applying to
5. A sample breakdown of “good” scores by school tiers
| Tier of college | Typical 75th percentile SAT range* | Suggested “good for you” target |
|---|---|---|
| Ivy / Ultra-Selective | 1,480 – 1,600+ | 1,500+ |
| Strong Privates / Flagships | 1,350 – 1,500 | 1,400 – 1,450 |
| Mid-Selectives | 1,200 – 1,400 | 1,300+ |
| Regional / Safety-level schools | 1,050 – 1,300 | ~1,200+ |
| Lower-tier or test-optional emphasis | 1,000 – 1,250 | 1,100 – 1,300 |
* Based on published ranges, institutional data, and recent reports.
So if you’re applying to a mix of reach, match, and safety schools, you might set your personal “good SAT goal” somewhere in the upper middle — perhaps 1,400–1,450 — to balance ambition with feasibility.
6. Other factors that affect what’s “good enough”
6.1 The test-optional movement
- Many colleges now allow applicants to choose whether or not to submit SAT/ACT scores.
- If you do submit, a strong score can help your candidacy; if not, it may simply not be a deciding factor.
- But test-optional doesn’t mean “test irrelevant” — in competitive fields, a high score can still provide an edge.
6.2 Strength of other application components
- If your GPA is outstanding, your coursework rigorous, and your essays and recommendations strong, a slightly lower SAT score might not hurt you.
- Conversely, if other parts of your application are weaker, a high SAT can help offset them.
6.3 Major / program specificity
- Some programs (e.g. engineering, quantitative majors) may place heavier emphasis on SAT Math scores.
- If you’re applying to a quantitative major, weight your Math score more heavily when judging “good.”
6.4 Scholarships, honors colleges, departmental thresholds
- Some scholarships or honors programs have fixed cutoffs (e.g. “SAT > 1,400 qualifies for scholarship X”).
- Even if a school is overall less selective, you may need a higher SAT score for specific internal programs.
6.5 Retaking the SAT
- Many students retake the SAT to improve.
- Because of curve variation and test day factors, your later performance may differ.
- Use practice tests to see whether retaking is likely to yield substantial gain.
- Beware of diminishing returns — if you’re already near your target, extra incremental gains may require disproportionate effort.
7. Strategy: How to choose your “good SAT target”
Here’s a step-by-step framework:
- List the colleges/programs you’re applying to.
- Identify their published 25th–75th percentile SAT ranges.
- Pick the highest 75th percentile among your target schools — that’s your stretch baseline.
- Set your personal target a bit above that (buffer zone).
- Check whether your goal is realistically achievable.
- Set practice milestones and plan retakes if needed.
8. Example student scenarios
| Student | Colleges of Interest | Suggested “Good SAT Target” | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emma | Harvard, Yale, Stanford | 1,500–1,570 | To be competitive, Emma should aim well into the 95th+ percentile |
| Jay | University of Michigan, UVA, UNC | 1,400–1,480 | The 75th percentile at many of these is ~1,400–1,450 |
| Mia | Strong liberal arts colleges, state flagships | 1,300–1,420 | This range will keep her competitive |
| Lucas | Regional universities, some optional-score schools | 1,150–1,300 | Above-average gives him a buffer |
| Priya | Schools with test-optional policies | 1,300–1,450 (optional) | Even optional, a strong score strengthens her profile |
9. Mistakes & pitfalls students often make
- Focusing too much on the national average. Good should be relative to your schools, not the middle.
- Ignoring percentiles. Raw scores are helpful, but percentiles show where you stand against peers.
- Underestimating variability. Each test has a different curve.
- Overextending retakes. Diminishing returns can cause stress.
- Neglecting the rest of the application. A strong GPA, essays, and extracurriculars matter too.
10. Final thoughts & recommendations
- A “good” SAT score is above the national average, but how far above depends on your college goals.
- As a rough guideline:
- ~1,200 is “solid” above-average
- ~1,350 is “very strong / competitive”
- ~1,450+ is “elite-level / stretch”
- Your personal goal should align with the 75th percentile of your college list.
- Use practice tests, track progress, and plan retakes strategically.
- Don’t let SAT be your only focus — maintain strength in GPA, extracurriculars, and essays.
- Ultimately, the best SAT score for you is the one that helps open the doors you want in your college journey.
