What is a Good SAT Score for 2024
What exactly constitutes a “good” SAT score? This seemingly simple question holds a complex answer, one that varies depending on your aspirations and the competitive quest for higher education that you’re navigating.
To truly understand what constitutes a “good” SAT score, you need to consider the specific colleges you’re targeting. Each institution has its own unique set of admissions standards, and the SAT plays a varying role in their decision-making process. For instance, if you’re aiming for an Ivy League school, a score of 1051 would be considered below average. On the other hand, if you’re applying to a less selective university, a score of 1051 could be perfectly acceptable.
While there’s no definitive passing score, a stellar SAT score undoubtedly enhances your application and can certainly boost your chances of landing a coveted spot at your desired university.
| Not all colleges demand SAT scores. It’s crucial to check whether your target schools require or recommend taking the exam. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many universities to embrace test-optional policies, temporarily waiving SAT/ACT scores for the 2023–24 application cycle (and possibly beyond). Despite this trend, a handful of universities, such as the esteemed MIT, maintain a strong preference for SAT/ACT scores. |
So, should you take the SAT? The answer depends on your college aspirations and the specific requirements of your target institutions.
What is an Overall Good SAT Score?
A good SAT score in 2024 is considered to be at the 75th percentile or above, which is around a 1200 SAT score and above. Your SAT score, ranging from 400 to 1600, is the combined result of your two section scores: Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (C). Each section is scored on a 200–800 scale in 10-point increments. Consequently, a satisfactory score on Math or EBRW would be around 600.
While attaining an SAT score above the 50th percentile, or median, indicates that you have performed better than a majority of test-takers, it may not be sufficient for admission to highly selective colleges. The benchmark for a competitive SAT score rises significantly with the intensiveness of the applicant pool. Therefore, aiming for at least the 75th percentile, typically 1200 or higher, is generally recommended. For even more competitive programs, a score at the 90th percentile (1440) or the 95th percentile (1520) can be necessary to stand out.
Percentiles provide a means of gauging your performance in comparison with other test-takers. Refer to the following percentile table to understand what constitutes a good SAT score. Bear in mind that percentile rankings for scores may fluctuate slightly from year to year.
| Percentile | EBRW Score | Math Score | Total SAT Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99+ | 780-800 | 800 | 1580-1600 |
| 99 | 760-770 | 790 | 1550-1560 |
| 95 | 720 | 750 | 1470 |
| 90 | 680 | 690 | 1370 |
| 85 | 650 | 650 | 1300 |
| 80 | 620-630 | 620 | 1240-1250 |
| 75 (Good) | 600-610 | 590-600 | 1190-1210 |
| 50 (Median) | 520 | 510-520 | 1030-1040 |
Source: SAT Understanding Scores 2023
What is a Good Score Based on Your School?
To increase your chances of being accepted into a particular college, aim for an SAT score that is comparable to that of the average enrolled student. In other words, if the average first-year student had a score of 1300, you should also try to get at least 1300.
To determine the appropriate SAT score range for your target colleges, it’s crucial to research their average SAT scores. These scores, often referred to as the middle 50% or interquartile range (IQR), represent the SAT scores of the middle 50% of admitted students. The middle 50% is a range between the 25th and 75th percentiles. Your goal should be to get a score that is close to your school’s 75th percentile. If that is too difficult, aim for a score higher than the 25th percentile (though be aware that your application may be less competitive). Nonetheless, aiming for a score within the IQR will significantly increase your chances of acceptance.
Many colleges provide SAT exam statistics on their websites. You can either search online for the school’s name and the phrase “SAT score range” or look for a first-year class profile page or a general facts and figures page.
Say you’re applying to Tufts University. The Tufts class profile page lists the middle 50% of SAT Math and EBRW scores for the class of 2027. Based on this data, you know to aim for around 720–770 on EBRW and 750–790 on Math—both incredibly high scores.
The ideal SAT score you should strive for will depend on the colleges you are applying to. Less selective institutions tend to admit applicants with SAT scores closer to the national median, which lies between 1010 and 1050. However, highly selective universities often prefer scores in the 1400–1600 range.
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20 Popular Colleges That Accept Good SAT Scores
The table below presents the middle 50% (also known as the interquartile range) of enrolled students’ SAT scores at 20 popular colleges and universities. The middle 50% represents the scores that fall between the 25th percentile (Q1) and the 75th percentile (Q3) of enrolled students. All the data represented in the table is based on the most recent admissions data available.
| School | 25th Percentile (Q1) | 75th Percentile (Q3) |
|---|---|---|
| Dakota Wesleyan University | 1040 | 1260 |
| Washington University in St. Louis | 1500 | 1570 |
| Villanova University | 1350 | 1490 |
| University of Richmond | 1410 | 1500 |
| University of Pittsburgh | 1250 | 1470 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 1490 | 1560 |
| University of Minnesota: Twin Cities | 1300 | 1470 |
| University of Maryland: College Park | 1370 | 1510 |
| University of Georgia | 1220 | 1400 |
| University of Connecticut | 1230 | 1430 |
| Tulane University | 1400 | 1500 |
| Rice University | 1500 | 1560 |
| Pennsylvania State University | 1280 | 1450 |
| Miami University: Oxford | 1170 | 1350 |
| Indiana University Bloomington | 1180 | 1390 |
| Columbia University | 1500 | 1560 |
| Colorado College | 1270 | 1460 |
| Colgate University | 1418 | 1510 |
| Bowdoin College | 1340 | 1520 |
| Boston University | 1370 | 1480 |
What is a Good SAT Essay Score?
While the College Board discontinued the optional SAT Essay in 2021, it remains relevant for students taking the SAT on a school day in states that mandate the exam. Even though colleges no longer require the essay, some students may choose to take it for personal satisfaction or to demonstrate their writing skills.
The SAT Essay is scored separately from the Math and EBRW sections. Students have 50 minutes to write an essay analyzing the author’s claims and arguments in a given passage.
Two graders evaluate each essay and assign scores on a scale of 1-4 in three categories: Reading, Analysis, and Writing. The total score range for each category is 2–8. A perfect SAT essay score would be three 8s, indicating a score of 4 from both graders in all three categories.
While the College Board doesn’t provide percentiles for the SAT essay, it does release average scores for each category based on 2020 data:
- Reading: 5
- Analysis: 3
- Writing: 5
Generally, an SAT essay score above these averages is considered adequate; however, aiming higher is always advisable.
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From the Desk of Yocket
In 2019, the College Board released the results of the first major study to evaluate the validity of the SAT since the test’s redesign in 2016. The study, led by P.A. Westrick, included over 223,000 students from 171 four-year colleges and universities.
The researchers found that SAT scores were strongly predictive of college performance. Students with higher SAT scores were more likely to have higher grades in college. The study also found that SAT scores were predictive of student retention in the second year of college. Students with higher SAT scores were more likely to return for their sophomore year.
The researchers concluded that the SAT is a valid and useful predictor of college success. They also found that SAT scores are more predictive of college success when used in conjunction with a high school GPA.
However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement to de-emphasize the use of SAT scores in college admissions. Many colleges and universities have become test-optional, meaning that applicants are not required to submit SAT scores. Some colleges and universities have even gone test-blind, meaning that they do not consider SAT scores at all in the admissions process.
The use of SAT scores in college admissions is a complex issue with no easy answers. There are pros and cons to using SAT scores, and it is important to weigh the evidence carefully before deciding on whether or not to use them.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many attempts are allowed for the SAT?
There is no limit to the number of times you can take the SAT. The College Board, which administers the test, does not restrict the number of times a student can take it.
2. When should I take the SAT?
The College Board recommends that students take the SAT at least twice, once in the spring of their junior year and again in the fall of their senior year. This is because most students get a higher score the second time they take the test.
3. What is SAT superscoring?
Superscoring is a process used by some colleges and universities to calculate a student’s SAT score. Instead of using the student’s highest composite score from a single test date, superscoring uses the student’s highest score for each section of the SAT, regardless of which test date those scores were earned on.
4. What is an average SAT score?
The average SAT score is around 1050. This score lands at the 50th percentile, meaning half of all test takers scored lower and half scored higher.