[Updated for 2025 College Admissions]
After you take a digital sat practice test or the official exam, the first question on your mind will likely be: “Is my score good enough?” The answer isn’t a single number—a “good” SAT score is all about context. It depends on your personal goals and the colleges you’re aiming for.
This guide will help you understand what makes a good SAT test score in 2025, how to use percentiles to see where you stand, and how to set a realistic target score for your dream schools.
Three Ways to Define a “Good” SAT Score
There’s no magic number, but we can look at it from three useful angles:
- The National Average:
The simplest starting point is the average score of all students who take the test. The national average SAT score is approximately 1030. If your score is above 1030, you’ve performed better than about half of the test-takers nationwide. It’s a solid starting point, but most competitive colleges will be looking for scores significantly higher than the average.
- Score Percentiles:
This is a more powerful way to understand your score. A percentile rank tells you what percentage of students you scored higher than. For example, if you are in the 80th percentile, you scored better than 80% of all other students.
Here’s a general breakdown of scores and their percentile ranks:
| Total Score Range | Percentile | What It Means |
| 1450-1600 | 96th – 99th+ | Excellent. Competitive for the most selective universities. |
| 1350-1440 | 90th – 95th | Very Good. A strong score for most competitive schools. |
| 1200-1340 | 75th – 89th | Good. Puts you in the top quarter of test-takers. |
| 1030-1190 | 50th – 74th | Average to Above-Average. |
| Below 1030 | Below 50th | Below Average. |
- Your Target Colleges’ Score Ranges (The Most Important Way):
This is the best way to define a good score for you. Every college publishes the “middle 50%” range of SAT test scores for the students they admit. This means the scores of the middle half of their first-year class.
- 25th Percentile: 25% of admitted students scored at or below this number.
- 75th Percentile: 75% of admitted students scored at or below this number (meaning 25% scored above it).
Your goal should be to score at or above the 75th percentile for your target schools. This puts you in the top quarter of their applicants and makes your application much more competitive.
SAT Score Ranges for Top Universities (2025)
To give you an idea, here are the estimated middle 50% SAT test scores for some popular universities:
| University Type | Middle 50% Score Range | Target Score (75th Percentile) |
| Ivy League & Top-Tier (e.g., Harvard, Stanford, MIT) | 1470 – 1580 | 1580+ |
| Highly Selective (e.g., UMich, UVA, Georgetown) | 1360 – 1530 | 1530+ |
| Selective State Universities | 1200 – 1400 | 1400+ |
| Less Competitive Universities | 1050 – 1250 | 1250+ |
Learn more about how your score is calculated in our guide: How is the Digital SAT Scored?
How to Set Your Personal SAT Goal Score
- Make a List of Colleges: List 5-10 schools you are interested in, including a mix of “dream,” “target,” and “safety” schools.
- Find Their Score Ranges: Search online for “[College Name] average SAT scores.” Look for the 25th and 75th percentile numbers.
- Aim for the Top: Your target score should be at or above the 75th percentile of your most ambitious “dream” school.
- Take a Diagnostic Test: The only way to know how far you have to go is to know where you’re starting. Taking a digital sat practice test will give you a baseline score so you can create a realistic study plan.
- BigFuture College Search: A tool from the College Board where students can search for colleges and see their average SAT score ranges.
Ultimately, your SAT test scores are just one part of your application. But having a strong score can open doors to more colleges and scholarships. Use this guide to set an informed goal, practice smart, and achieve a score that helps you reach your dreams.
Ready to find your baseline? Take our free Digital SAT Practice Test and see how you score today!
