What is a good SAT score in 2026?

A score of 1200 or above is above the national average (1050) and competitive at most four-year universities. A score of 1350+ (90th percentile) is strong for selective colleges. A score of 1500+ (98th percentile) is competitive for Ivy League and top-tier universities. A 'good' score is one that strengthens your application at your target schools.

What is the average SAT score?

The national average SAT score is approximately 1050 — about 520 in Reading and Writing and 530 in Math. The average has been relatively stable since the digital SAT's introduction in 2024. About 50% of test-takers score at or below 1050.

What SAT score do I need for Ivy League schools?

Ivy League schools typically look for 1500+. The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students at Harvard is 1510-1580, at Princeton 1500-1560, at Yale 1480-1560, and at MIT 1520-1570. Note that many Ivies are now test-optional, but a strong SAT score still strengthens your application.

What percentile is a 1400 SAT score?

A 1400 SAT score is approximately the 93rd-94th percentile — meaning you scored higher than about 93% of test-takers. This is considered a very strong score and is competitive for most selective universities, including many top-50 US schools.

Is 1200 a good SAT score?

Yes. A 1200 is approximately the 75th percentile, meaning you scored higher than about 75% of test-takers. This is above average and competitive for most four-year universities. It's a solid score that won't hold you back at most schools.

What's a good SAT score by section?

A good Reading and Writing score is 610+ (75th percentile). A good Math score is 590+ (75th percentile). For competitive colleges, aim for 680+ RW and 690+ Math (90th percentile). For Ivy League, aim for 760+ RW and 790+ Math (99th percentile).

Do colleges still require SAT scores in 2026?

Many colleges are test-optional (you can apply without SAT scores), but an increasing number are reinstating requirements. MIT, Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, and several other top schools now require SAT or ACT scores. Check each school's admissions website for their current policy.

Is a perfect 1600 SAT score necessary?

No. Only about 300-500 students out of 1.7 million test-takers achieve a perfect 1600 each year. While a 1600 is impressive, a 1550+ (99th percentile) is typically sufficient for any university. A 1580 and a 1600 are essentially indistinguishable to admissions officers.

What Is a Good SAT Score? 2026 Guide

The national average SAT score is 1050 — but 'good' depends on your goals. Here's what counts as a good, great, and elite SAT score in 2026, with percentile data, college-specific ranges, and score targets for every type of school.

Last updated: August 20, 2026 · Written by the Student Toolbox team

Student celebrating a strong SAT score result

The SAT score scale at a glance

The SAT is scored on a 400-1600 scale. Your total score is the sum of two section scores: Reading & Writing (200-800) and Math (200-800). The national average is approximately 1050.

SAT score percentiles: where you stand

Your percentile tells you how your score compares to other test-takers. A 75th percentile score means you scored higher than 75% of students.

SAT Score	Percentile	What it means
1600	99+%	Top fraction of 1% — perfect score
1550	99%	Ivy League competitive
1500	98%	Elite — top 2%
1450	96%	Top-tier competitive
1400	93%	Very strong
1350	90%	Excellent — top 10%
1300	86%	Strong
1250	80%	Solid
1200	75%	Good — above average
1100	60%	Average to above average
1050	51%	National average
1000	43%	Below average
900	27%	Well below average
800	14%	Bottom 14%

Percentile data from College Board, based on 2025 test-takers. Percentiles shift slightly each year.

What score you need by college type

College type	Target SAT range	Examples
Ivy League / MIT / Stanford	1500-1580	Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Stanford, Columbia
Top private universities	1450-1550	Duke, Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, USC, Notre Dame
Top public universities	1360-1530	Michigan, UVA, UNC, UCLA, Berkeley, Georgia Tech
Competitive private colleges	1300-1450	Boston University, NYU, Tulane, Villanova
Strong state schools	1200-1350	Penn State, Ohio State, Florida, Texas, Washington
Most four-year universities	1050-1200	Most state universities and private colleges
Open-admission / community	Below 1050	Community colleges, some state universities

Good SAT score by section

Your section scores matter too — some colleges look at the Math and Reading & Writing scores separately, especially for STEM vs humanities programs:

Percentile	Reading & Writing	Math	Total
99th (Best)	760+	790+	1530+
90th (Excellent)	680	690	1350
75th (Good)	610	590	1190
50th (Average)	520	500	1010

Test-optional vs test-required: what's changed in 2026

Many colleges that went test-optional during the pandemic are now reinstating SAT/ACT requirements. As of 2026, MIT, Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Brown, Caltech, Georgetown, and several other top schools require test scores. Others remain test-optional (University of Chicago, Columbia, Princeton, Stanford). Check each school's admissions website for the latest policy.

Even at test-optional schools, a strong SAT score can strengthen your application. If you score above the school's 75th percentile, submitting your score is generally recommended.

To estimate your SAT score from practice results, use ourSAT Score Calculator. For the full breakdown of the SAT score range, see ourSAT Score Range guide.