What is a Good Score?

Because the SAT Suite of Assessments uses a common score scale, your scores on each test reflect approximately what you would score on any of the other tests if you took them today.

PSAT 8/9 is a diagnostic test that tells you about your strengths and opportunities for growth. There are no "good" or "bad" scores, just information that you, your family, and your teachers can use to help plan your high school journey.

PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT are benchmark tests that can track your progress throughout high school and give you an idea of how you may score on the SAT when you take it in 11th or 12th grade. For more information on how your scores on these tests may qualify you for scholarships, learn about our National Recognition Programs and read Understanding PSAT/NMSQT Scores for Students and Families for more details on the selection process for the National Merit Scholarship.

Finally, a good SAT score is one that helps you get admitted to a college you want to go to! Don’t ever count yourself out from applying to a school, even if your think your score is low compared to the school's average. Your SAT score is only one piece of the puzzle. Your grades, application essay, and extracurricular activities also shape admissions officers' perceptions of your application.

How does my SAT score compare to others?

The average SAT score is around 1050, so if your score is higher than that, it’s above average. A score of 1350 or higher is in the top 10% of SAT test takers. Even if your score is lower than you’d like it to be, there are many amazing colleges and universities around the world looking for students like you. Each school has its own score expectations, and a score that may be average at a highly selective school might be in the top percentiles at another. You can find the average SAT scores for admitted first-year students at thousands of different colleges on BigFuture, an excellent resource for researching colleges and career options.