SAT · 5 min read
What Is a Good SAT Score? Percentiles and Targets Explained
There is no single "good" SAT score — it depends on where you are applying. But percentiles give you a national frame of reference, and your target schools give you a personal one. Here is how to think about both.
Average, good, and excellent
The average SAT total sits roughly in the low-1000s. Anything above that is above the national average.
As a rough guide: around 1050 is average, 1200+ is good and competitive for many colleges, 1350+ is strong, and 1400+ puts you in roughly the top few percent of test-takers nationally.
Percentiles matter more than the raw number
Your percentile tells you the share of test-takers you scored higher than. A 50th-percentile score beat half of students; a 90th-percentile score beat 90%. Colleges care about where you land, not the number in isolation.
Because percentiles compress at the top, small score gains near 1400+ move you past a lot of other applicants — which is why targeted practice pays off most for students already scoring well.
Set your target from your colleges
The most useful target is the middle-50% range published by each college you are applying to. Aim for the top of that range for your reach schools and the middle for your matches.
Write down a single total goal, then split it across the two sections based on your current strengths. It is usually faster to lift your weaker section than to squeeze more from your stronger one.
How to close the gap
Take a full practice test to find your baseline, then drill the domains where you lose the most points. Consistent short sessions beat occasional marathons.
Re-test every few weeks. A rising practice score is the signal that your target is within reach — and tells you when to push your goal higher.
Find your baseline, then close the gap one domain at a time.
Kramizo gives you instantly-marked SAT practice with streaks and progress tracking — free to start, no card.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average SAT score?
The average total is roughly in the low-1000s out of 1600, split across the two 200–800 sections.
Is 1200 a good SAT score?
Yes — 1200 is above the national average and competitive for a wide range of colleges. Whether it is enough for a specific school depends on that school’s middle-50% range.
What SAT score do I need?
Look up the middle-50% SAT range for each college on your list and aim for the top of that range for your reach schools. That is a more useful target than any national cutoff.
How do I raise my SAT score fastest?
Find your weakest domain with a full practice test and drill it with instant-feedback questions. Points come fastest where you are currently losing the most.