What's a Good Score Range for the SAT?

Hey everyone, I'm currently in the process of studying for my SATs and I was just wondering what's usually considered a good score? I understand that it might differ from college to college, but what's the generally accepted range for an 'above average' score would?

While SAT scores can range from 400 to 1600, a score considered to be "above average" tends to fall around 1200 or higher. This figure is based on the overall average SAT scores of all test takers—the latest data available shows that the average SAT score is about 1053: roughly 527 for the Reading and Writing section and 526 for Math.

Now, when it comes to college admissions, what constitutes a "good" or competitive SAT score can indeed vary greatly depending on the selectivity of the school. For more selective colleges and universities, SAT score averages for admitted students tend to be much higher. For example, Ivy League schools or other highly selective universities usually have a middle 50% score range quite a bit higher, often above 1400, and to be particularly competitive may require scores above 1500.

If you're aiming for a specific college, it can be helpful to research the middle 50% score range for admitted students at that particular institution—this means that 25% of admitted students scored below this range and 25% scored above. Scoring within or above this range can put you in a strong position for admission. However, do bear in mind that the SAT is only one component of your application and other factors such as your GPA, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and essays also play significant roles in the admissions process.

Lastly, remember to also consider the policies at the colleges to which you're applying, as in recent years, quite a few colleges have shifted to test-optional admissions due to the pandemic. Data on average scores and other stats can typically be found on the schools' official admissions web pages or through tools like CollegeVine's school search. Good luck with your SAT preparation and college admissions journey!