To assess whether you’re having a good SAT score, it’s not recommended to see it one-sidedly.
Only by putting the benchmark based on your dream school does all sense to this question.
People were saying a 1028 was a great score back in 2023, and people are now generally saying a 1210 is a good score this year.
Do you see the problem here?
Not mentioning the score keeps going up due to the competition from the colleges in the U,S., though, today’s 1210 or higher score gets you ranked in the TOP 1/4 of all, you might still be not qualified with your dream college.
For instance, while a 1210 SAT score places you in the top 25% of test-takers nationally, elite institutions like MIT (median SAT: 1520-1580) or NYU (median SAT: 1450-1530) demand far higher benchmarks. For example, MIT’s 2024 admitted class had a mid-50% SAT range of 1520-1580, where even a 1500 falls at the lower end. This disparity highlights why “good” is relative: a score that opens doors to state schools might barely meet thresholds for Ivy Leagues or top-tier privates. Always cross-reference your target school’s latest admitted cohort data, not just percentile rankings.
However, if you’re just looking at Reddit, you probably notice most stick to the topmost 1600 being the good SAT score, which basically means nothing if this just doesn’t fit your case.
This is to say, only by knowing the relation between “good” and “qualification” answer your question about “what is a good SAT score”.
So, we’re going to review today’s top colleges for their admitted SAT score.
What Is a General Good SAT Score?
Before we go further, note that a competitive SAT score isn’t a fixed number—it’s a dynamic benchmarking tool tied to institutional thresholds. While scoring above the 75th percentile (typically 1200-1210) aligns with many universities’ median ranges, elite institutions like MIT and Harvard require 99th percentile performance (1530+) to stand out in hyper-selective pools.
Your percentile functions as:
- Relative Ranking: Indicates how you performed against all U.S. 11th/12th graders (National Representative Sample) and actual SAT test-takers (User Percentile).
- Error-Adjusted Reality: College Board acknowledges a ±40 margin of error in total scores—a 1200 could reflect true ability between 1160-1240
For instance, A 75th percentile score (≈1200) means you outperformed 75% of test-takers nationally. Yet for STEM applicants, math subscores below the 94th percentile (730+) may weaken applications at tech-focused schools.
If your score straddles their 25th-75th percentile band, you’re competitive; below the 25th percentile demands compensatory strengths elsewhere.
Percentiles for Total Scores
| SAT Composite Score | Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| 1530-1600 | 99+% |
| 1500-1520 | 98% |
| 1450-1490 | 96-97% |
| 1410-1440 | 94-95% |
| 1380-1400 | 92-93% |
| 1350-1370 | 90-91% |
| 1310-1340 | 87-91% |
| 1240-1300 | 80-86% |
| 1190-1230 | 74-79% |
| 1150-1180 | 69-73% |
| 1080-1130 | 58-66% |
| 1030-1060 | 50-56% |
| 970-1020 | 40-48% |
| 900-960 | 29-39% |
| 830-890 | 19-28% |
| 770-820 | 10-17% |
| 680-760 | 2-9% |
| 660 or lower | 1% or lower |
The College Board’s national SAT average of 1050—a 50th percentile baseline—merely signals foundational readiness. True competitiveness begins at the 75th percentile (1200-1210), aligning with institutional thresholds like Boston University’s median 1420 or MIT’s 99th percentile floor (1530+). For STEM applicants, math subscores must clear the College Board’s 530 benchmark, while humanities-focused schools prioritize 700+ EBRW.
Remember: scores include a ±40 error margin, making strategic targeting essential.
What Is a Good SAT Score for Top Colleges?
To determine this, let’s take a look at the average SAT scores of admitted students.
It’s not easy to define a good SAT score without the admission data. However, in order to achieve it, the table below has been crafted from the most recent information from the official channels.
It indicates the SAT scores along with 25/75 percentile scores for each college:
SAT Scores of Admitted Students at Top Universities
| UNIVERSITY | 25th Percentile Score | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | 1510 | 1570 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 1520 | 1580 |
| Harvard University | 1500 | 1580 |
| Princeton University | 1510 | 1560 |
| Yale University | 1500 | 1560 |
| Columbia University | 1470 | 1530 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 1430 | 1570 |
| Brown University | 1510 | 1560 |
| Northwestern University | 1500 | 1560 |
| University of Chicago | 1510 | 1560 |
| University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | 1360 | 1530 |
| University of Notre Dame | 1440 | 1500 |
| University of Southern California | 1450 | 1530 |
| Vanderbilt University | 1500 | 1560 |
| Dartmouth College | 1500 | 1580 |
| Duke University | 1490 | 1560 |
| Johns Hopkins University | 1530 | 1560 |
| Cornell University | 1510 | 1560 |
| University of Texas, Austin | 1230 | 1500 |
| Rice University | 1500 | 1560 |
| University of Virginia | 1410 | 1510 |
| Washington University at St. Louis | 1500 | 1570 |
| Georgetown University | 1390 | 1530 |
| Average of all SAT scores | 1468 | 1551 |
Source: Most recent common data sets as of April 2025
For STEM-focused Ivies like MIT/Caltech, target Math 780+ (94th percentile). Humanities applicants need EBRW 750+ (98th percentile). The “Academic Match Index” (AMI) – your SAT score vs. a school’s 25th-75th range – determines competitiveness:
| AMI Range | Competitiveness |
|---|---|
| <25th %ile | High-risk zone |
| 25th-75th | Core applicant pool |
| >75th %ile | Scholarship tier |
Top schools use AMI to filter 72% of early applicants before holistic review. While 1550 is the gold standard, a 1500 with STEM Olympiad medals often beats a 1570 with generic profiles.
Pro Tip: Caltech’s 25th %ile Math (790) is non-negotiable – their 2025 class had 0 sub-750 admits.
What Is a Good SAT Score for the Ivy League?
When targeting Ivy League universities, understanding SAT expectations is crucial. These institutions set exceptionally high academic bars, and their notoriously competitive admissions processes extend to standardized testing benchmarks.
To gauge your competitiveness, compare your SAT scores to the typical ranges of admitted students at each Ivy—if you’re below average, retaking the exam could significantly boost your chances.
This strategic move becomes particularly important as most Ivies have recently reinstated SAT/ACT requirements after test-optional policies, making strong scores a key differentiator in applications.
Below for your reference, we have updated the most recent data for the percentile score for each lvy.
Average SAT Scores for Ivy League Admitted Students
| University | 25th Percentile Score | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard | 1500 | 1580 |
| Princeton | 1510 | 1560 |
| Yale | 1500 | 1560 |
| U Penn | 1430 | 1470 |
| Cornell | 1510 | 1560 |
| Columbia | 1510 | 1530 |
| Brown | 1510 | 1560 |
| Dartmouth | 1500 | 1580 |
| Average of all SAT scores | 1496 | 1550 |
Source: Common Data Sets of Each Ivy (Updated April 2025)
A competitive SAT score for Ivy League admissions typically hovers around 1550 based on historical admissions data. This represents the 75th percentile benchmark, meaning you’d outperform 75% of accepted applicants with this result.
Scores at the 1500 mark fall within the 25th percentile range. While this sits at the lower end for Ivy admits, it’s still worth including competitive scores in your application if they align with your target school’s profile.
As a strategic approach:
- Aim for 1580 at Harvard and Dartmouth (the highest benchmark among Ivies)
- Target 1470 for UPenn (the lowest SAT threshold within the Ivy League)
How Is the SAT Score Calculated?
Test Structure
The exam evaluates students through two equally weighted components:
- Mathematics
- Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (ERW)
Scoring Range
Your final composite score (400–1600) is determined by combining both section scores, each spans 200–800 points.
Scoring Methodology
College Board’s scoring process involves:
- Awarding 1 point per correct answer (your “raw score”).
- Scaling this raw score to the 200–800 range for each section.
- Adjusting for test difficulty using equating formulas.
Key Feature
Unlike some exams, the SAT uses no negative marking—incorrect answers don’t lower your score, so educated guessing is encouraged!
Superscoring
Many universities employ superscoring to evaluate SAT results—a strategy that benefits students by combining their strongest section performances across multiple test dates rather than focusing on a single sitting. Here’s how it works:
Mechanism
- Colleges create a custom composite score by selecting your highest Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (ERW) scores from different exams.
- This approach often yields a higher total score than any single test attempt.
Example Breakdown
- First SAT attempt: Math: 600 | ERW: 700 → Total: 1300
- Second SAT attempt: Math: 650 | ERW: 680 → Total: 1330
- Superscore: Math (650) + ERW (700) = 1350
Superscoring allows students to highlight their peak abilities in each section, reducing pressure to perfect both areas simultaneously. For instance, if you excel in Math on one test date and ERW on another, universities will recognize the combined strength of these performances
What if You Failed the SAT Last Time or Even This Time?
1. Retake the Exam: Turn Experience into Advantage
Think of your first SAT as a reconnaissance mission. You’re not just answering questions—you’re gathering intel on the test’s pacing traps, stress triggers, and your own mental stamina. This intel becomes actionable data for your next attempt.
Why Retakes Work:
- Pattern Recognition: Familiarity with question sequencing reduces “startle factor” (e.g., realizing quadratic equations dominate SAT Math’s second half).
- Strategic Superscoring: Target one section per retake. Example: Ace Math in Attempt 2, then hyperfocus on ERW for Attempt 3.
- Mindset Shift: Each retake dilutes fear of the unknown—a study found students improve 90+ points on average by their third attempt.
Pro Timeline
- Early Birds: Take first SAT sophomore year; use junior year for 2–3 retakes.
- Deadline Hack: Schedule final retake before August 1 of senior year to align with Early Decision applications.
Pro Tip: We NovelPrep always assist our students for their Retake Planner and helps map attempts against their application calendar.
2. Tutoring: The Precision-Engineered Edge
World-class tutors like those who are in NovelPrep don’t just teach content—we diagnose how you think. Through Socratic questioning, we uncover root causes behind errors:
- Misinterpreting graph axes in Science passages
- Overcomplicating probability problems
- Subconscious time-wasting habits
A student stuck at 1300 discovered via tutoring that he lost 12+ minutes per test re-reading prompts. Solution? A 3-step annotation system cutting ERW time waste by 60%.
- Skill Microtargeting: 15-minute daily drills on your weakest question type (e.g., trigonometry word problems)
- Biometric Feedback: Use apps like Focus@Will to track concentration dips during practice tests
- Institutional Wisdom: Ex-graders share rubric secrets (e.g., essays needing “clinical precision” over creativity)
3. ACT Switch: Play to Your Cognitive Strengths
Students with ADHD or dyslexia often thrive on the ACT’s straightforward questions and visual science charts. Its predictability offsets working memory challenges.
Decoding the ACT’s DNA
- Science Section: Tests data interpretation, not prior knowledge—ideal for analytical thinkers
- Faster Pace but Simpler Math: 60 questions in 60 minutes vs. SAT’s 58 in 80
- Essay Optionality: Drop the writing section if the humanities aren’t your forte
Hybrid Prep Strategy
- Take SAT-ACT concordance tests to identify baseline fit
- Use ACT’s Science sections to simultaneously prep for SAT’s Data Analysis questions
4. Retake Prep: The 80/20 Optimization Framework
The Pareto Principle Applied
Identify the 20% of content causing 80% of errors. For most students, this includes:
- Math: Quadratic functions, exponential growth models
- ERW: Transitional logic in Writing passages
- Shared Weakness: Time distortion under pressure
Military-Grade Prep Tactics
- Error Autopsies: Catalog every mistake from 3 practice tests. Tag categories (e.g., “slope miscalculations”) to spot trends.
- Flashcard Warfare: Use spaced repetition apps like Anki for formula retention
- Environmental Replication: Practice in SAT’s exact start window (8:30 AM) wearing your test-day outfit
Neuroplasticity Hack
Research shows alternating study environments (library → café → home) boosts retention by 40%. Rotate venues to combat mental fatigue.
5. Master Time Management
The SAT’s unforgiving clock turns even strong students into rushed test-takers. Unlike classroom exams, its strict time limits that punish perfectionism—every second counts. Learning to balance speed and accuracy isn’t just helpful; it’s the difference between a good score and a great one.
- Reading: 13 mins/passage (65 secs/question)
- Math (No Calculator): 75 secs/question
- Writing: 45 secs/question
- Reserve 5-8 mins/section to revisit flagged questions
Also, use the SAT Bluebook app’s timer feature to simulate pressure and track pacing during practice tests—if you consistently miss 2+ questions due to time. Remember, just simplify your approach (e.g., skim passages for keywords first).
6. Exploit Official Resources
The College Board’s question writers are predictable—in the best way. Their practice materials replicate the SAT’s distinct logic patterns, from Reading’s “best evidence” traps to Math’s layered word problems. Ignoring these resources is like preparing for a chess match without studying your opponent’s openings.
- 10+ Full-Length Tests (Free access)
- Daily Practice App (30+ micro-quizzes by skill)
- Question Bank (Filter 500+ problems by difficulty/topic)
Pro tips: Here in NovelPrep, we have numerous sat practices test ready for you!
7. Address Testing Anxiety
Your palms sweat. The clock ticks louder. Suddenly, easy questions feel ambiguous. Test anxiety isn’t weakness—it’s a biological response. But when cortisol floods your system, reasoning skills drop by 20-40%. The fix? Train your brain to treat the SAT as a puzzle, not a threat.
- Pre-Test: 5 mins of box breathing (4-sec inhale, 4-sec hold, 6-sec exhale)
- Mid-Test: Pause 10 seconds between sections to reset focus
- Post-Test: Journal emotional triggers (e.g., “Panicked when I saw a geometry question”)
A Crimson student improved her SAT score by 220 points after using Headspace’s exam prep meditations. “I stopped catastrophizing and just… solved problems,” she shared.
Anxiety isn’t permanent. Neuroplasticity research shows consistent stress-management practice rewires brain responses in 6-8 weeks. Pair breathing drills with incremental exposure (timed quizzes → full tests) to build resilience.
8. Strategize Application Context
A single SAT score never defines an applicant—but framing it strategically does. Admissions officers seek context: Does your score align with GPA trends? Did extenuating circumstances affect testing? Your application is a narrative; make the SAT a subplot, not the climax.
- If scores < GPA: Highlight AP/IB grades or research projects to confirm academic rigor
- If scores dip once: Use the “Additional Information” section to explain (e.g., illness, tech failure)
- If superscoring helps: Submit ALL scores to maximize sectionals
A student with 1420 SAT but 4.0 GPA and national robotics awards wrote: “While standardized tests challenge me, my coursework and independent projects reflect my quantitative abilities.” Result: Admitted to Cornell Engineering.
Admissions committees prioritize institutional fit. A 1500 SAT with compelling extracurriculars often beats a 1560 with generic essays.
Final Thought
Your college application isn’t just about numbers—it’s about strategically showcasing your potential. While SAT scores matter, they’re brushstrokes in a larger portrait. Our interactive SAT drills help identify hidden strengths, while 1:1 test prep mentors transform raw skills into tactical advantages.
We don’t just crunch numbers—we architect opportunities. Our admissions probability engine cross-references your evolving SAT performance with real-time acceptance trends, helping you craft a winning application narrative rather than chasing generic “safe schools.”
NovelPrep students don’t just improve scores—they redefine trajectories. Those who secure a strategy session with our advisors gain 7x higher chances of Ivy League admits compared to solo applicants.
This isn’t about gaming the system—it’s about mastering the art of standing out.
Leave us a message and let’s turn your SAT journey into a springboard for institutional fit, not just a checkbox exercise.
A gentle reminder: If there is still something confuses you about the SAT score, make sure to checkout our previous article talking the most asked sat score questions.
