What Is a Good SAT Score in 2026?

Good Depends on Your Goals

A 'good' SAT score is the score that gets you into the colleges you want. National averages are a reference point, not a goal.

• 1050–1100: National average — competitive at many regional universities.
• 1200+: Above average — competitive at most four-year colleges.
• 1400+: Strong — competitive at selective universities.
• 1500+: Elite — Ivy League and top-ranked schools in range.

Find Your Target Score

Look up the middle-50% SAT range for your top three schools, then aim for the 75th percentile. Use our SAT score breakdowns for details at every score level.

What to do after reading this

1. Record your latest Reading and Writing score, Math score, and total score.
2. Identify the section that is furthest from your target.
3. Run one targeted drill in that section before taking another full module.

Related SAT guides

• How to Get a 1600 on the Digital SAT

  A realistic plan for scoring a perfect 1600 on the Digital SAT, based on what 1600-scorers actually do differently from 1500 scorers.

• Digital SAT Scoring Explained: From Raw Score to 1600

  A complete breakdown of how Digital SAT scoring works, including adaptive modules, raw-to-scaled conversion, and why the same raw score can mean different totals.

• What SAT Score Do You Need for the Ivy League?

  The middle-50% SAT score ranges for every Ivy League school, plus how to think about the bar if you're aiming for admission.

Browse all SAT resources →

Mistakes to avoid

• Chasing a total-score goal without knowing which section is holding it down.
• Comparing scores without checking whether they are from timed, realistic practice.
• Taking another practice test before reviewing every missed question.

Use this in practice

• Drill questions

  Turn the strategy into targeted SAT practice.

• Take a timed module

  Check pacing with a realistic module.

• Estimate your score

  Convert raw results into a 1600-scale estimate.