What is a good SAT score?
Updated November 3, 2026 · facts checked against College Board and ACT sources listed below
Short answer
A good SAT score is one that is inside, or above, the middle-50% score range of the colleges you are applying to; there is no single number that is good for everyone. Look up each college's published range (its Common Data Set or admissions profile), and use College Board's percentiles to see how a score compares with other test takers.
How to set your target
- List the colleges you are considering and find the 25th–75th percentile SAT range each one publishes.
- Aim at or above the 75th percentile for reach schools, and inside the range for the rest.
- Check scholarships too: some use fixed score cut-offs.
- If a college is test-optional, compare your score with its range: submit it if it is at or above the middle, and think harder if it is below.
What percentiles tell you
Your score report shows a percentile: the share of test takers who scored at or below you. College Board publishes these tables every year. Percentiles are useful context, but the college ranges are what matter for your applications.
From target to plan
Once you have a target, a diagnostic tells you the gap and which skills will close it fastest. The PSAT is a good starting point if you have a recent score.
Common questions
Is 1200 a good SAT score?
It depends on your colleges. It is above many colleges' middle-50% ranges and below others'. Compare it with the published range of each college on your list.
What SAT score do I need for a scholarship?
Each scholarship sets its own rules; some use fixed cut-offs. Check the scholarship's published criteria.
Free tools for this
Sources
- College Board: understanding SAT scores
- College Board research: understanding SAT scores (percentiles)
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