Digital SAT Suite Benchmarks

The SAT Suite of Assessments College and Career Readiness Benchmarks can be used together to help students and educators assess student progress toward college readiness from year to year. Benchmarks help:

• Identify students who are thriving and require greater challenges.
• Identify students who require additional academic support.
• Inform instructional and curricular enhancements throughout an institution.

SAT College and Career Readiness Benchmarks

Students are considered college and career ready when their SAT section scores meet both the Math and Reading and Writing benchmarks. It's important to note that college readiness is a continuum—students scoring below the SAT benchmarks can still be successful in college, especially with additional preparation and perseverance.

Students with an SAT Math section score that meets or exceeds the benchmark have a 75% chance of earning at least a C in entry-level credit-bearing college courses in algebra, statistics, precalculus, or calculus.

Students with an SAT Reading and Writing section score that meets or exceeds the benchmark have a 75% chance of earning at least a C in entry-level credit-bearing college courses in history, literature, social sciences, or writing classes.

Grade-Level Benchmarks

Students who take the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9 see grade-level benchmarks on their score reports. Grade-level benchmarks indicate whether students are on track for college and career readiness. They're based on expected student growth toward SAT benchmarks at each grade.

Benchmark Values

SAT

SAT Section Score Ranges
200–800 Point Scale

SAT College and Career Readiness Benchmarks

• Reading and Writing: 480
• Math: 530

PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10

PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 Section Score Ranges
160–760 Point Scale

11th Grade Benchmarks

• Reading and Writing: 460
• Math: 510

10th Grade Benchmarks

• Reading and Writing: 430
• Math: 480

PSAT 8/9

PSAT 8/9 Section Score Ranges
120–720 Point Scale

9th Grade Benchmarks

• Reading and Writing: 410
• Math: 450

8th Grade Benchmarks

• Reading and Writing: 390
• Math: 430