SAT Score Chart: Know Total Score, Percentiles & Score Range

The SAT score chart helps you understand how your raw scores (number of correct answers) are converted into a scaled score on a range of 200 to 800 per section. Since different versions of the test may vary slightly in difficulty, the College Board uses a process called equating to adjust scores fairly across test dates.

For example, on one version of the SAT, you may need 58 correct answers in Math to get an 800. On another, just 57 correct might be enough.

Each SAT section: Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW), is scored separately. The two scaled scores are then added to get your total SAT score, which ranges from 400 to 1600.

Do note: The conversion of raw to scaled scores differs slightly for each test date. The table below gives a general idea but may not reflect your exact test form. Always refer to your official score report on the College Board website for the accurate scaled conversion.

• If you answered 52 questions correctly in both EBRW and Math, your scaled scores could be 800 and 790 respectively.
• To reach a Math score of 760, you may need to answer around 50 questions correctly.
• A raw score of 8 in EBRW typically converts to a scaled score of around 220.

The SAT score distribution illustrates how test-takers performed on the exam, both overall and in each section. It indicates the percentage of students who scored below a certain score point, known as the percentile rank.

For example, if a student scored 1200 on the SAT, it means they performed better than approximately 75% of test-takers, placing them in the 75th percentile.​

Understanding the SAT score distribution helps students compare their scores with others and assess their relative performance. It also aids in setting realistic goals and target scores based on desired colleges and programmes.

Here is an example of how to interpret the SAT score distribution:​

For instance:​

• A score of 1600 places you in the 99+ percentile, meaning you performed better than more than 99% of test-takers.​
• A score of 1200 places you in the 75th percentile, indicating you performed better than 75% of test-takers and below 25%.​
• To be in the top 10% of test-takers, you would need to score at least 1350 on the SAT.

SAT scores are typically released 13 to 15 days after the test date. If you're taking the SAT for college applications in 2025, here’s when you can expect your results.

Whether you're taking the SAT on a weekend or as part of your school's SAT School Day, these are the official score release timelines announced by the College Board.

SAT Weekend Test Dates and Score Release (2025)

SAT School Day Score Release (Spring 2025)

You can check your SAT result by logging in to your College Board account. The score report includes your section-wise scores (EBRW and Math), total score, percentile, and other detailed insights.

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A good SAT score is typically anything over 1400, which is considered strong for the top 50 universities in the US. 

But what qualifies as “good” really depends on the colleges you're applying to and how competitive their admissions are.

In general, a score above the 75th percentile (around 1210+ in 2024) puts you ahead of most test-takers, while a score above 1400 can make your application stand out at selective schools.

Your SAT score is viewed alongside your grades, essays, extracurriculars, and recommendation letters, so while it matters, it's not the only thing that does.

Here’s a look at average SAT scores for some top universities (2024-25 data):

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Any SAT score below 1000 is generally considered a low or bad score in 2025, as it places you below the 40th percentile of all test-takers according to College Board data.

A low SAT score can reduce your chances of getting into competitive universities and may limit your scholarship options. However, what's “bad” can vary depending on the college you're applying to.

For less selective or test-optional colleges, a lower score may not matter as much if other parts of your application are strong.

That said, if your SAT score is:

• Below 900: It may raise red flags for most colleges unless you’re applying to open-admission schools or have strong compensating factors.
• Between 900-1000: This is below average and may limit options, but still acceptable at some test-optional or community colleges.

Yocket tip: If you have a low SAT score, focus on improving your GPA, writing a strong Statement of Purpose, and highlighting your extracurriculars to balance your profile. Some universities even allow SAT waivers or offer test-flexible options.

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The lowest possible SAT score is 400, which is the sum of 200 in the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section and 200 in the Math section.

However, this score is extremely rare and usually happens only if a student leaves almost all questions unanswered.

For admissions, though, what really matters is the minimum SAT score accepted by colleges, not the absolute lowest score you can get.

• Most universities do not have an official minimum SAT score, especially if they are test-optional.
• Some colleges may recommend a minimum combined score of around 1050 to 1100 for admission consideration.
• Highly selective universities usually expect scores above 1350, while community colleges or less competitive universities may admit students with scores as low as 850 to 950.

If your SAT score falls below these benchmarks, it’s still possible to strengthen your profile through a strong GPA, impressive extracurriculars, and a compelling personal statement.

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Suppose a student is not satisfiеd with their SAT score or wants to improve it for any reason; there are several ways to do so. The most еffеctivе way to improvе onе’s SAT scorе is to practicе with official SAT matеrials and rеsourcеs providеd by thе Collеgе Board. Thеsе includе:

• Official SAT Study Guidе: This is a printеd book that contains еight full-lеngth practicе tеsts with answеr еxplanations, rеviеw chaptеrs for еach sеction, tеst-taking stratеgiеs, and samplе quеstions.
• Official SAT Subjеct Tеst Study Guidеs: Thеsе arе printеd books that contain dеtailеd information and practicе quеstions for еach of thе 20 subjеct tеsts offеrеd by thе Collеgе Board.
• Official SAT Practicе Tеsts: Thеsе arе downloadablе PDF filеs that contain full-lеngth practicе tеsts with answеr kеys and scoring guidеs.
• Official Quеstion of thе Day: This is an onlinе fеaturе that providеs a daily practicе quеstion from еach sеction of thе tеst with answеr еxplanation and fееdback.

Somе of thе gеnеral stratеgiеs and tеchniquеs to improvе thе SAT scorе arе:

• Rеad thе quеstions carefully and idеntify thе main idеa, task, and kеywords.
• Eliminatе thе wrong or irrеlеvant answеr choicеs and look for еvidеncе or cluеs in thе passagе or problеm.
• Usе procеss of еlimination, еstimation, substitution, back-solving, plugging in numbеrs, and othеr mеthods to solve Math problems.
• Usе contеxt cluеs, word roots, prеfixеs, suffixеs, and synonyms to figurе out thе meaning of unfamiliar words.
• Use grammar rules, punctuation marks, parallеlism, concisеnеss, clarity, and cohеrеncе to improve writing and languagе skills.
• Usе a clеar structurе, thеsis statеmеnt, topic sеntеncеs, transitions, еxamplеs, analysis, and conclusion to writе an еffеctivе еssay.
• Managе timе wisеly and skip or guеss on quеstions that arе too difficult or time-consuming.
• Chеck thе answеrs and rеviеw thе work for any еrrors or mistakеs.

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You can check your SAT scores online through your College Board account.

Here’s how you can do it, step by step:

• Step 1: Go to the official College Board website https://www.collegeboard.org

• Step 2: Log in using your username and password

• Step 3: Click on the 'My SAT' section

• Step 4: Click on 'Score Reports'

• Step 5: View your detailed scores

• Step 6: Send your scores to universities

A quick note: It usually takes 2-4 weeks after the test date for your scores to appear

Your SAT score report shows how you performed overall, how you did in each section, and how you compare to other test takers. It’s based on the new Digital SAT format and gives a detailed but easy-to-understand breakdown.

Here’s what the report includes:

• Total Score (400-1600): Combined score from Math and Reading & Writing sections
• Section Scores (200-800 each): One for Math, one for Reading & Writing
• Percentile Rank: Shows what percentage of students you scored better than
• Score Breakdown by Topic: Highlights strengths and weaknesses across skills like Algebra, Advanced Math, Command of Evidence, etc.
• Readiness Indicator: Tells you whether your score meets the college readiness benchmark
• Score Access: Available online via your College Board account 4-6 days after test day
• Score Sending: You can send your scores to colleges directly from your College Board dashboard

SAT scores range from 400 to 1600, and your percentile tells you how your score compares with other test takers in 2025.

For example: A score of 1200 means you did better than roughly 75% of students who took the test. A 1400+ puts you in the top 5-6%, making it competitive for top universities like UCLA, NYU, or Georgia Tech.

Here’s a quick snapshot of SAT 2025 score ranges and their corresponding percentiles:

Once your SAT score is out, you can send it to the universities you’re applying to, and yes, most colleges require official score reports directly from the College Board.

You get 4 free score reports if you select your colleges within 9 days of your test date. After that, each additional report will cost around INR 900 (USD 12).

Most colleges in the US accept superscores, meaning they’ll consider your best scores across different test dates. But always check each college’s policy before sending scores.

You can send your scores through your College Board account. Scores are usually sent electronically within 1-2 weeks after your results are released.

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Understanding previous year SAT cut-offs for popular universities can help you plan better and set realistic targets. While these scores vary every year depending on the applicant pool, here’s a general reference based on 2024 admissions data:

Note: These figures represent the middle 50% of admitted students. Scoring within or above this range boosts your chances, but other factors like GPA, essays, and extracurriculars are equally important.

If you're serious about your SAT goals, remember this: aiming for the average score of your dream university isn’t always enough.

Admission trends are shifting every year. Some top universities are going test-optional, while others continue to place strong emphasis on SAT scores. So it’s not just about what you score, but where and how you use that score that truly counts.

This is where Yocket Premium makes all the difference.

We’ve seen students with mid-range scores land admits at highly selective universities , because their application strategy was solid. We recommend starting with a score-target list based on your academic background, course preference, and financial goals. Then compare that list with last year’s SAT cut-offs, add a few safe options, and most importantly, don’t panic if your score isn’t “perfect.”

There’s no one-size-fits-all score, and admission is never based on SAT alone.