What Is a Good SAT Score?

A good SAT score is one that helps you get admitted to a college that you want to go to.

In 2019, the average SAT score was 1050. Any score above that would be above average and perfectly acceptable for many colleges. A score of 1350 would put you in the top 10% of test takers and help make your application competitive at more selective schools.

In choosing colleges to apply to, consider factors such as the cost of tuition and availability of financial aid, location, and campus atmosphere. Also consider whether the college offers academic and extracurricular programs that interest you. To set your target SAT score, first explore a range of colleges that can offer you the mix of things you want. Then, look at the average SAT score for an admitted freshman and use that as your target. The College Board college planning website BigFuture contains all of this information and is an excellent resource for researching colleges.

Note: Bear in mind that your SAT score is only one factor among several on your application. Your grades, application essay, and extracurriculars also shape admissions officers’ perceptions of your application.

Improvement Through Practice

If you have time to take the SAT again—especially if you just took it as a junior—it’s possible to bring your score up considerably by practicing with Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy^®. Link your College Board account to your Khan Academy account and then share your score. Khan Academy will prepare a personalized study plan that targets your weak areas and advises you how to study efficiently and effectively—at no cost. Research shows that following these personalized recommendations helps students increase their scores. With time and effort, you can get closer to achieving your target score.