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SAT score context, not a universal cutoff

What Is a Good SAT Score?

A good score supports the colleges and opportunities you care about. Start with national context, then compare your total and section scores with current information for each target college.

About 1050 national average1350+ top 10% thresholdReviewed September 2, 2026

Quick answer

What counts as a good SAT score?

College Board says the average SAT score is around 1050 and that 1350 or higher is in the top 10% of SAT test takers. But the more useful definition is a score that strengthens your application at the colleges you want to attend. Compare your score with each college's current data and consider your section scores, not only the total.

Reviewed September 2, 2026

Score-by-score answers

Is 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, or 1500 a good SAT score?

Is 1100 a good SAT score?

Yes, it is above the roughly 1050 average cited by College Board. Check whether it fits the current score context at your target colleges and whether one section is pulling down the total.

Is 1200 a good SAT score?

A 1200 is above the national average. Its value for admissions depends on the schools on your list, so compare it with their current published information rather than a generic label.

Is 1300 a good SAT score?

A 1300 is well above the national average and below the 1350 threshold College Board cites for the top 10% of test takers. It may be a strong fit at many colleges while remaining below the typical range at others.

Is 1400 a good SAT score?

A 1400 is above College Board's cited 1350 top-10% threshold. That is strong national context, but the right comparison is still the current range and policy at each college you may apply to.

Is 1500 a good SAT score?

A 1500 is a high score nationally and above the cited top-10% threshold. It can strengthen an application, but it does not guarantee admission and it should not replace attention to the rest of the application.

Make the score useful

How should you decide whether your SAT score is good enough?

  1. Build a realistic college list and check each college's current official score and testing information.
  2. Compare your total score with that context without treating any published number as an admissions guarantee.
  3. Look at Reading and Writing and Math separately to find the clearer improvement opportunity.
  4. Decide whether another test date is useful and leaves enough time for a focused study cycle and an official practice test.
  5. Keep the score in context with grades, course rigor, essays, activities, and the rest of the application.
Do not turn an average into an admissions cutoff.National context answers how a score compares broadly. A college's current information answers whether that score fits a particular application strategy. Those are related questions, but they are not the same question.

Choose the next action

Move from score context to a study decision

Before submitting results, check Score Choice and superscoring. For a score from an earlier year, also confirm whether that older SAT score is usable.

Primary sources

Official SAT score resources

SAT score FAQ

Direct answers for common score goals

Is 1100 a good SAT score?

An 1100 is above the roughly 1050 average cited by College Board. Whether it is good for your application depends on the colleges you are considering, their current score context, and the rest of your application.

Is 1200 a good SAT score?

A 1200 is above the national average cited by College Board. Compare it with the score information for each target college and check whether one section is limiting your options or showing a clear opportunity to improve.

Is 1300 a good SAT score?

A 1300 is well above the roughly 1050 national average. It is still below College Board's cited 1350 threshold for the top 10% of SAT test takers, so use target-college data rather than treating it as a universal admissions cutoff.

Is 1400 a good SAT score?

A 1400 is above College Board's cited 1350 threshold for the top 10% of SAT test takers. It can be a strong score, but you should still compare it with current information from each college you may apply to.

Is 1500 a good SAT score?

A 1500 is above College Board's cited 1350 threshold for the top 10% of SAT test takers. It is a high score nationally, but admissions decisions consider the school, applicant pool, grades, courses, essays, activities, and other context too.