What Is a Good SAT Score? Finding Your Goal Score 2025

A good SAT score depends on what you want to achieve and where you want to study, especially if you're considering universities in the US or Canada. While the SAT is just one part of your university application and is increasingly considered optional at some institutions, it can still play a crucial role in strengthening your application.

For Indian students aiming to study abroad, what constitutes a good SAT score will vary based on your target universities. Generally speaking, a score of 1350 would place you amongst the top 10 per cent of test takers, with the average being 1050, according to the College Board [1]. 

Learn more about average SAT scores and how to find your target score based on the universities you intend to apply to.

How is the SAT scored?

Your total SAT score is between 400 and 1,600 points. This score represents the sum of your score from the Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) sections, each worth 200 to 800 points.

In addition to this number, you receive a percentile score that shows how your score compares to other students' scores. You also have a benchmark score that indicates uni readiness—or the likelihood that you'll pass first-year classes.

4 ways to measure a good SAT score

A good score is one that helps you achieve your specific goals, whether it's getting into your target school or qualifying for a merit scholarship. When you receive your SAT scores, you'll also receive information about how your score compares to other students' scores. To better understand what makes a score 'good,' consider these four key aspects.

1. Your target school's average SAT scores

A good SAT score is a score that helps you get into the university you want—and that score can be different for each school.

It's a good rule of thumb to achieve an SAT score that's higher than the middle 50 per cent of scores. For example, the average SAT score for students admitted to the University of Michigan in 2023 was between 1350 and 1530 [2]. This is much higher than the overall average total SAT score, so if you wanted to apply and be competitive, it might help if your score fell within that range—or higher.

You won't learn about your target school's average SAT scores on your SAT report. Instead, once you get your report, you can cross-reference your score with those published by the school. 

2. Average SAT score

According to the College Board, the mean total SAT score for all test takers in 2024 was 1024. The ERW average score was 519, while the average score for the Math section was 505 [3].

Average scores can be useful in comparing the test performance of one entire graduating class to another's, but it's not necessarily the most helpful measure for an individual test-taker. For that, you'd want to consider your SAT score percentile.

3. SAT score percentiles

Your score report will include two percentiles to help you compare your performance with that of other test takers. If your score percentile is 50, that means 50 per cent of test takers scored at or below your score. If your score percentile is 75, that means 75 per cent of test takers scored at or below your score.

• Nationally Representative Sample Percentile: This measures your score against a representative group of US students in grades 11 and 12.

• SAT User Percentile: This measures your score against typical students who took the SAT test.

You can see these percentiles for your total score, as well as your ERW and Math section scores. For reference, here's a chart showing the SAT User Percentiles for the total, ERW, and Math scores in 2024 [4].

4. Benchmark scores

Each of your section scores will include a benchmark. This shows up as a colour—green, yellow, or red—meant to indicate university readiness. The benchmarks break down as follows:

• Green: On track

• Yellow: Close to being on track

• Red: Need to strengthen skills

A green benchmark score indicates a 75 per cent chance of earning a C or higher in a first-semester module in algebra, statistics, pre-calculus, or calculus (for Math), or history, literature, social sciences, or writing (for ERW).

Use these benchmarks as a guideline for what academic areas to work on. With the right perspective and preparation, you can find success in university no matter your benchmark score.

How to find your target school SAT score in 3 steps

Arguably, the more important SAT measurement is your target school SAT score. Since an SAT score is a prediction of your success in university courses, some schools look for students with a score that falls within a specific range. Here’s how to find that information:

1. Make a list of schools you’d like to attend.

Write down the names of six to 10 schools you’re interested in applying to. Try to include a mix of dream, target, and safety universities.

• If money and qualifications weren’t issues, where would you want to attend? These are your dream schools, also known as reach schools.

• Target schools are those where your grades, test scores, and class rank are similar to the average for the most recently admitted class.

• You should be happy to attend your safety schools, but they should also be schools that you can afford and that you feel confident you’ll be admitted to. 

If you don’t know how to categorise your schools just yet, that’s okay. You can do this in the next step. 

2. Find each school’s middle 50 per cent.

Search for the name of the school and “SAT score range” to find the middle 50 per cent of SAT scores. This represents the range of scores between the 25th and 75th percentiles for the most recent class of admitted students. In other words, this is what’s left when you throw out the top and bottom scores. 

Write down these scores for each of your schools. It may be helpful to record the ranges for the Math and ERW sections as well. 

3. Identify your goal SAT score from the list.

Now arrange your schools in order of these score ranges, from highest to lowest. The schools at the top of the list would likely be your dream schools, with the target and safety schools in the middle and at the bottom of the list.

The high end of the range (the 75th percentile score) for the school highest on your list is your target SAT score. If you can get a score at or near the 75th percentile for the most competitive school on your list, chances are you’ll be competitive at the other schools too.

Tip: Set a goal to score at or above the 75th percentile of SAT scores for the school you want to attend.

How can I improve my SAT score?

You can improve your SAT score by preparing for the test through practice and targeted instruction. Whether you’re thinking ahead toward the SAT or want to improve upon an existing score, use the tips below to get started. 

Take a practice test like the PSAT.

Prepare for success on the SAT by taking the Preliminary SAT, or PSAT, typically taken in 9th grade by Indian students. You’ll get a feel for the test format and types of questions, and your scores can show you areas to focus on as you prepare for the SAT. To take the PSAT, talk to someone at a local school offering the test.

Strengthen your weak areas.

Focus on the areas where you received the lowest scores on your practice test. If you scored at or near your target score for the ERW section but fell short on your Math score, you’ll want to dedicate more of your practice time to math questions.

Plan to spend at least two to three months preparing for the SAT each time you take it. You have options when it comes to how you prepare, and many of them are free:

• Take a full-length practice test.

• Enroll in a SAT prep course.

• Hire a tutor.

• Buy a study guide.

Retake the test.

You can take the SAT as many times as you want. This means that if your first score has room for improvement, you have the opportunity to improve it by retaking the test. The College Board recommends taking the SAT at least twice. For some schools, you can choose which scores to include on your score report. Others require that you submit all of your scores.

What if my SAT scores are still too low?

Your SAT score is only one part of your university application—and it may not even be mandatory. A number of universities do not require a test score for incoming students, and around 500 schools outside the United States include SAT scores as a factor in the admissions process [5]. If your university is not on this list, you may not need to submit a score.

If your scores are lower than your target score, you still have options. And remember, the scorers on the lower end of the middle 50 for each school on your list also got in.

Strengthen your application.

Schools look at more than just your SAT score when determining university admissions. If you feel your scores are lower than you’d like them to be, spend some time working on the other areas of your application. 

• Talk to your teachers about how you can improve your grades. 

• Ask for strong letters of recommendation.

• Spend time polishing your application essay.

• Start a new club at your school, volunteer, or look for an internship to help your extracurriculars stand out.

Adjust your university list.

As you get ready to apply to schools, consider adjusting your list. Add one or two new target schools that you’d like to attend where your scores fall within the middle 50. You may even choose to add another safety school where your score is near or above the 75th percentile ranking.

Consider the ACT.

Many schools accept ACT or SAT scores, and it’s not uncommon for students to perform better on one than the other. Neither the ACT or SAT is easier than the other, but they may have differences that make one of the two easier for you.

For example, the ACT puts more emphasis on verbal skills, while the SAT may be better suited to emphasise math and logic skills. If possible, take both tests in Class 11 year so, then retake your preferred exam in the fall of Class 12

Next steps to getting a good SAT score

If you plan to attend university in the US or Canada, knowing what is a good SAT score can be helpful when you explore your options. As you apply for universities, consider whether an online bachelor's degree from a world-class institution on Coursera may be a good fit for your lifestyle and goals. Many degree programmes do not require university entrance exam scores. Plus, you can pursue your degree from anywhere without having to relocate.

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