SAT Percentiles and Score Rankings [Updated 2024]

Have you recently taken the SAT and are unsure whether you should retake it? Or maybe you’re planning to take the SAT soon and want to set a realistic target score.

Well, let us tell you about SAT score percentiles, which can be a game-changer in understanding your SAT exam performance and making informed decisions about your college applications.

What Are SAT Percentiles?

First off, what are SAT score percentiles?

Along with your overall SAT score (which ranges from 400 to 1600), you’ll also get a percentile ranking, which goes from 1 to 99. Think of it like a comparison to other SAT takers: if your ranking is in the 70th percentile, it means you scored higher than 70% of all test-takers.

Your percentile isn’t like a regular school grade. For example, scoring in the 90th percentile doesn’t mean you got 90% of the questions right. It simply means you did better than 90% of other SAT takers.

So, why do percentiles matter? Colleges use them to compare you to other applicants. If your SAT score places you in the 90th percentile, it makes you a strong contender for many schools since you scored better than 90% of students nationwide.

Paying attention to both your percentile and overall score can give you a clear picture of your performance and help you make informed decisions about college applications.

What Are the SAT Score Percentile Ranges?

Percentiles are a big deal when it comes to the SAT. If you’re about to take or retake the test, you’ll want to know what score you need to hit to reach a certain percentile.

Luckily, the College Board has the scoop on this. They’ve got data on the latest percentile ranges, so you can easily figure out what you’re aiming for. Just check out our percentile chart to find your score and see where you stand.

SAT Composite Score Range	Percentile Score Range
1530-1600	99-99+
1500-1530	98-99
1450-1500	96-98
1400-1450	93-96
1350-1400	90-93
1300-1350	86-90
1250-1300	81-86
1200-1250	75-81
1150-1200	68-75
1100-1150	61-68
1040-1100	51-61
990-1040	43-51
940-990	35-43
890-940	27-35
830-890	19-27
790-830	13-19
740-790	7-13
690-740	3-7
620-700	1-3
600-660	1- -1
550-600	1-
500-550	1-
450-500	1-
400-450	1-

If you observe, the SAT percentile rankings shift the most at the middle scores. For instance, moving from 1450 to a perfect 1600 only bumps your percentile up by 4 points, from 96 to 99. But improving from 1100 to 1250 jumps your percentile by a whopping 20 points—61 to 81! This means that if you’re scoring around 1100 or lower, a 150-point boost can significantly improve your percentile rank and make you a more competitive applicant for colleges.

SAT Percentile Score Charts by Section

We’ve compiled SAT percentile rankings for various score ranges in ERW and Math. Refer to the table below to see how your scores compare.

Percentile	EBRW	Math	Total
99th (Best)	760 and above	790 and above	1530 and above
90th (Excellent)	670-680	690	1350
75th (Good)	600-610	600	1200 and above
50th (Average)	520-530	510-520	1050 and above
25th (Poor)	440-450	430-440	870
10th (Poorer)	390-400	370-380	770
1st (Poorest)	330 and below	310 and below	670 and below

Key Observations from the Percentile Table

The table reveals a striking pattern in the relationship between score and percentile rank. As you move toward the middle scores, the percentile rank increases significantly. For instance, a score of 500 in ERW corresponds to only the 43rd percentile, while a score of 600 leaps to the 73rd percentile. This implies that a 100-point improvement, which is achievable with focused preparation, can dramatically elevate your score from average to good.

In contrast, the Math curve exhibits a steeper inclination towards the top end. A score of 760 places you in the 96th percentile for Math but only in the 99th percentile for ERW. Similarly, a score of 700 secures you a position in the 91st percentile for Math but in the 93rd percentile for ERW. This observation suggests that achieving the same percentile rank in both sections requires a higher Math score compared to ERW.

What Are the Benefits of Knowing Your SAT Percentile?

While raw scores provide some insight into your performance, percentile rankings offer a more comprehensive picture of how you stack up against other test-takers.

Imagine you scored 700 in Reading and Writing (ERW) and 600 in Math. At first glance, this 100-point difference might not seem like a big deal. However, when you consider percentiles, a whole new perspective emerges.

Your ERW score of 700 lands you in the 93rd percentile, placing you among the top 7% of test-takers. On the other hand, your Math score of 600 sits in the 76th percentile, indicating that you outperformed about three-quarters of the competition.

This highlights the remarkable impact focused improvement can have on your SAT scores. By dedicating extra effort to Math, you could raise your score by 100 points, boosting your percentile from 76 to 91. This substantial increase would place you among the top 10% of Math test-takers.

While Math improvement promises significant gains, don’t neglect ERW entirely. Even a relatively modest 50-point increase in ERW would catapult you into the coveted 99th percentile, putting you in an elite group of top performers.

Remember, percentiles are just one piece of the puzzle. Your ultimate goal should be to achieve a composite score that aligns with the expectations of the colleges you’re targeting. Each college has its own average SAT range, which typically remains stable over time.

To determine a college’s SAT score ranges, visit the College Board’s BigFuture website and search for the specific school. You’ll find their admission requirements, including SAT/ACT score ranges, GPA ranges, and overall competitiveness.

But what about test-optional or test-blind colleges? This simply means that test-optional and test-blind colleges do not require applicants to submit standardized test scores for admission. This means that students can choose whether or not to submit their SAT scores, and their applications will be considered regardless of them.

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From the Desk of Yocket

Percentiles allow you to see how your scores stack up against the performance of other students who have taken the SAT. This can help you identify areas of strength and weakness and set realistic goals for improvement. Yocket will help in making informed decisions about college admissions.

Additionally, many colleges consider SAT scores as part of the admissions process. Understanding your percentile ranking can help you assess your chances of acceptance at particular colleges.

However, it is important to know that percentiles are based on relative performance, not absolute mastery of the material. A student may have a high SAT score percentile ranking without demonstrating a deep understanding of the subject matter.

Percentile rankings can vary from year to year due to changes in the test format and the overall pool of test-takers. Additionally, percentile rankings may not accurately reflect the performance of specific subgroups of students, such as those from underrepresented communities or students with disabilities.

SAT percentiles and score rankings can be useful tools for students and educators, but it’s important to use them with caution and in conjunction with other assessment methods. You should not rely solely on percentiles to gauge your academic progress or college admissions prospects.

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FAQs about SAT Percentiles and Score Rankings

1. What is a good SAT score?

A good SAT score is one that is competitive for the colleges and universities you are interested in attending. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the average SAT scores for admitted students vary widely from school to school.

2. What happens if I don’t do well on the SAT?

If you don’t do well on the SAT the first time, you can always retake it. Many students improve their scores significantly after retaking the test.

3. When should I take the SAT?

The College Board recommends the best time to take the SAT for the first time is in the spring of your junior year of high school. This provides you with ample time to retake the test if necessary, as the SAT is offered seven times a year. It’s worth noting that most students who choose to retake the SAT see an improvement in their scores.