SAT Score Calculator (2025–2026)

A good SAT score depends on your target colleges. The national average SAT score is 1050. Scores above 1200 (74th percentile) are above average. A score of 1400 puts you in the top 6% nationally (94th percentile), which is competitive at selective universities. For Ivy League and highly selective schools, you typically need 1500 or above (97th+ percentile).

A score of 1200 on the SAT is approximately the 74th percentile, meaning you scored higher than about 74% of all SAT test takers nationally. This is a solid above-average score that is competitive at many four-year universities.

A score of 1400 on the SAT is approximately the 94th percentile, placing you in the top 6% of all SAT test takers. This is a strong score that demonstrates exceptional academic ability and is competitive at highly selective universities.

A score of 1500 on the SAT is approximately the 97th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 97% of all test takers. This is an excellent score that is competitive at the most selective universities, including Ivy League schools.

A score of 1000 on the SAT is approximately the 34th percentile, meaning about 34% of test takers scored at or below this level. This is a below-average score (national average is 1050), but it is sufficient for admission to many community colleges and less selective four-year schools.

The SAT is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600. It has two sections: Math (scored 200–800) and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, or EBRW (scored 200–800). The two section scores are added together to produce your composite score. There is no penalty for wrong answers on the current SAT format.

There is no official limit on how many times you can take the SAT. Most students take it 2–3 times. Many colleges consider your highest single-sitting score, and some use "superscoring" — taking the highest section scores from multiple test dates. The College Board offers the SAT multiple times per year, typically in March, May, August, October, November, and December.

Scholarship thresholds vary widely by institution and program. National Merit Scholarships typically require a selection index of 207–222 depending on your state, which corresponds to very high SAT scores (roughly 1400–1520+). Many universities offer merit scholarships starting at scores around 1200–1300.

Both the SAT and ACT are standardized tests accepted by virtually all US colleges. The SAT (400–1600 scale) focuses more on data analysis and has no Science section. The ACT (1–36 scale) includes a Science section and its Math is generally considered more straightforward. Most students perform similarly on both — try a practice test for each to see which suits you better.

The national average SAT composite score is approximately 1050 (roughly the 43rd percentile). The average Math section score is about 520 and the average EBRW score is about 530. Average scores vary significantly by demographic group, state, and intended major.