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What is the Average SAT Score?

College Board

• December 12, 2023

We calculate the national average SAT scores for a graduating class by adding the scores of every student in that class who took the SAT and dividing them by the number of test takers. When asking about average SAT scores, people typically refer to scores for each section - Reading and Writing (this used to be referred to as the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing test, or ERW) and Math. Our most recent averages are noted below:

SAT Score National Averages for the Class of 2022

Average Reading and Writing: 529

Average Math: 521

Average Total SAT score: 1050

The two required sections, Reading and Writing and Math, are scored on a scale of 200–800. When you receive your score, you’ll first see your total score, which ranges from 400-1600, and then the two section scores.

Calculating Averages and Percentiles

If you’d like to take a deep dive, we calculate average SAT scores by state, gender, race/ethnicity, and other demographics. The most recent data is in our SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report .

You’ll see scores such as subscores and cross-test scores ( the score structure ) on your SAT score report that break down how well you performed in specific areas.

National percentiles reveal how you rank compared to other students. They can help set realistic goals, assess your competitive standing for specific colleges, or identify areas for improvement. With a range from 1 to 99, they represent the percentage of students who scored at or below your level. Essentially, a higher percentile indicates a stronger performance compared to your peers.

How to Improve Your SAT Score

If you’re unhappy with your SAT results, try using one of our free study tools before retaking the test. Set a target score , take a practice test , and focus on the areas that need growth.

Remember: SAT scores are one of many parts of the application profile colleges view when deciding who to admit. Your grades, after-school activities , letters of recommendation , etc., give a more complete picture of who you are.

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You took the SAT, waited weeks for the results, and finally received that all-important message that your scores are in. However, interpreting those numbers is often easier said than done. Most students want to know what the average SAT score is so they can assess how their outcomes compare with those of other college-bound juniors and seniors.

Still, there’s more than one way to assess average scores. For example, the College Board calculates average SAT scores based on gender, ethnicity, family income level, and even the state from which a student hails. Keep reading to learn more about average SAT scores and find out what you can do to improve your results and achieve your collegiate goals.

Every year, the College Board releases an SAT score report revealing national averages. For 2019 high school graduates, the average SAT score for students across the U.S. was 1059, with an average Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 531 and a Math score of 528 . Still, these numbers don’t tell the whole story. In fact, average scores vary significantly based on several factors outside a student’s control. 

One of the most significant factors affecting SAT averages is a student’s family income level. In general, students from families earning less than $20,000 earn almost 300 points less than students in the $200,000+ income bracket. Below is a chart of average scores by family salary:

Source: College Board

It’s no secret that students from higher-income backgrounds often enjoy educational advantages over those from less wealthy families. Along with access to better schools and teachers, students in the higher salary brackets often have the money to pay for tutoring and SAT prep programs. They may also have more time to study, as students from poorer homes may need to work jobs for their family, or take care of siblings.

In an effort to level the playing field, the SAT recently created an adversity score to give college admissions officers an idea of what students have had to overcome during their lives. While the score wasn’t available to students, colleges could see the number when they received applicants’ score reports. The general public was upset about the adversity score, as they believed a single number couldn’t encompass the challenges a student has faced.

Because of a negative reaction to the adversity score, the SAT quickly overturned this policy. Instead of providing colleges with a single score, the College Board now offers something known as a Landscape. This admissions tool offers a series of data points that may affect a student’s performance, such as housing stability, crime rates, size of senior class, and many others. They also share how the student’s score compared to the average at their high school.

Below is a chart showcasing how the school a student attends can have an effect on their SAT score:

Additionally, students and parents should note that average SAT scores tend to vary by ethnicity. Generally, this disparity is also correlated with the average income levels of the ethnic groups. View average SAT scores by ethnicity in the table below:

Discover how your SAT score affects your chances

As part of our free guidance platform, our Admissions Assessment tells you what schools you need to improve your SAT score for and by how much. Sign up to get started today.

What’s a ‘Good’ SAT Score? How to Find Your SAT Goal Score

There’s no one right answer to what constitutes a good SAT score. However, one of the main considerations is whether a score is sufficient to help you gain entry to your dream college. While various factors can impact admissions decisions, including grades, extracurriculars, and essays, students with higher SAT scores tend to have a better chance of getting into school than those with lower scores. As stated above, the average SAT score for 2019 was 1059. However, the closer a student’s score gets to 1600, the higher their chances are of being accepted to the college of their dreams.

If you want to find your goal score, start by looking at the average SAT scores of your target institutions. Typically, colleges list the middle 50% range SAT scores of accepted students on their admissions pages. For example, Princeton’s composite middle 50% range is 1460-1570 . This means 50% of accepted students scored between 1460-1570, with 25% percent scoring below 1460, and 25% scoring above 1570.

Make a list of the average scores at dream schools and consider these numbers when setting a score goal. You should always aim for a score within the middle 50%, but getting a score on the upper end of the range (or even above that range) will boost your chances. 

How to Improve Your SAT Score

The good news is that students can take steps to improve their SAT scores from one testing date to the next. According to ETS, the publisher of the SAT, the average student improves their score by 60 to 70 points. However, it’s possible to do even better. 

To boost your score between testing sessions, start by assessing your strengths and weaknesses. Your full score report provides a score ranging from 1 to 15 for each of the following categories:

• Command of Evidence
• Words in Context
• Expression of Ideas
• Standard English Conventions
• Heart of Algebra
• Problem Solving and Data Analysis
• Passport to Advanced Math

Once you identify which areas need improvement, you can focus your study efforts accordingly.

Additionally, students can boost their SAT scores by taking practice exams. For best results, simulate testing conditions as much as possible and set a timer for each section. While some students do well by studying with classmates, others find it hard to focus under these circumstances. Be honest about your study habits and abilities and create a plan to boost your scores accordingly. 

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SAT scoring is on a scale from 400-1600. The highest SAT score you can possibly earn is 1600. The lowest is 400.  Your total SAT score is comprised of a Math section score and an Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score. Each SAT section is scored between 200 and 800 points. The average SAT score for the class of 2022 was 1050.  The average Math score on the SAT for the class of 2022 was 521. The average EBRW score for the class of 2022 was 529.

Your SAT Score Report

You will find your total score and your section scores on your official SAT score report from the College Board. These are the scores that college admissions committees consider when they review your application. On your SAT score report, you will also find a series of cross-test scores and subscores that analyze various proficiencies.

Free SAT Practice Tests & Events

Evaluate and improve your SAT score.

SAT Percentiles

• Nationally Representative Sample Percentile : According to The College Board, this percentile compares your performance to those of " all U.S. students in a particular grade, including those who don’t typically take the test."
• Your SAT User Percentile - National : This compares your performance against those of every college-bound SAT-taker in the 11 th or 12 th grades.

The Nationally Representative Sample Percentile will be higher, because your SAT User Percentile doesn’t take into account students who don’t take the SAT or intend to go to college. Your SAT User Percentile is more useful in assessing how competitive your scores are for college admission.

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Are Your SAT Scores Good Enough?

Learn what selective colleges consider good SAT scores for admission

Average SAT Scores

• What's Considered a Good SAT Score?

Sample SAT Data for Selective Colleges and Universities

Private universities — sat score comparison (mid 50%), liberal arts colleges — sat score comparison (mid 50%), more about sat scores, the sat writing section, more sat data for selective colleges, sat subject test data, what if your sat scores are low.

• Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania
• M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania
• B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT

What is a good SAT score on the SAT exam? For the 2020 admissions year, the exam consists of two required sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Mathematics. There is also an optional essay section. The scores from each required section can range from 200 to 800, so the best possible total score without the essay is 1600.

There are different ways to calculate what an "average" score is for the SAT. For the Evidence-Based Reading section, the College Board predicts that if all high school students took the exam, the average score would be a little over 500. For college-bound students who typically take the SAT, that average goes up to about 540. This latter number is probably the more meaningful one since it is the average among the students you are competing with on the college admissions front.

For the Math section of the exam, the average score for all high school students is very similar to the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section—a little over 500. For college-bound students who are likely to take the SAT, the average Math score is a little over 530. Here again that latter number is probably the more meaningful one since you would want to compare your score to other college-bound students.

Note that the exam changed significantly in March of 2016 , and the average scores are a little higher today than they had been before 2016.

What's Considered a Good SAT Score?

Averages, however, don't really tell you what kind of score you're going to need for selective colleges and universities. After all, every student who gets into a school like Stanford or Amherst is going to be well above average. The table below can give you a sense of the typical score ranges for students who were admitted to different types of highly selective colleges and universities. Keep in mind that the table shows the middle 50% of matriculated students. 25% of students got  below the lower number , and 25% scored higher than the upper number.

You're obviously in a stronger position if your scores are in the upper ranges in the tables below. Students in the lower 25% of the score range are going to need other strengths to make their applications stand out. Also keep in mind that being in the top 25% does not guarantee admission. Highly selective colleges and universities reject students with near perfect SAT scores when other parts of the application fail to impress the admissions folks.

In general, a combined SAT score of roughly 1400 will make you competitive at nearly any college or university in the country. The definition of a "good" score, however, is entirely dependent upon what schools you're applying to. There are hundreds of test-optional colleges where SAT scores don't matter, and hundreds of other schools where average scores (roughly 1050 Reading + Math) will be perfectly adequate for receiving an acceptance letter.

The table below will give you a sense of the types of scores you'll need for a wide range of selective public and private colleges and universities.

Public Universities — SAT Score Comparison (mid 50%)

View the ACT version of this article

SAT scores aren't the most important part of a college application (your academic record is), but aside from colleges that are test-optional, they can play a big role in a school's admissions decision. Mediocre scores aren't going to cut it at the country's most selective colleges and universities, and some public universities have concrete cut-off numbers. If you score below the required minimum, you won't be admitted.

If you aren't happy with your performance on the SAT, keep in mind that all colleges are happy to accept either ACT or SAT scores regardless of where in the country you live. If the ACT is your better exam, you can almost always use that exam. This ACT version of this article can help guide you.

You'll find that most schools report critical reading and math scores, but not the writing scores. This is because the writing part of the exam never fully caught on when it was introduced in 2005, and many schools still do not use it in their admissions decisions. And when the redesigned SAT rolled out in 2016, the writing section became an optional part of the exam. There are some colleges that require the writing section, but the number of schools with that requirement has been rapidly declining in recent years.

The table above is just a sampling of admissions data. If you look at the SAT data for all of the Ivy League schools , you'll see that all require scores that are well above average. The SAT data for other top private universities , top liberal arts colleges , and top public universities is similar. In general, you're going to want math and reading scores that are at least in the high 600s to be competitive.

You'll notice that the bar for top public universities tends to be a little lower than for private universities. It's generally easier to get into UNC Chapel Hill or UCLA than it is to get into Stanford or Harvard. That said, realize that the public university data can be a little misleading. The admissions bar for in-state and out-of-state applicants can be quite different. Many states require that the majority of admitted students come from in-state, and in some cases this means that admissions standards are significantly higher for out-of-state applicants. A combined score of 1200 might suffice for in-state students, but out-of-state applicants might need a 1400.

Many of the country's top colleges require applicants to take at least a couple SAT Subject Tests. Average scores on the subject tests are significantly higher than on the general exam, for the subject tests are taken primarily by strong students who are applying to top colleges. For most schools that require subject tests, you're going to be most competitive if those scores are up in the 700 range. You can learn more by reading about score information for different subjects: Biology | Chemistry | Literature | Math | Physics .

The SAT can create a lot of anxiety for students whose scores aren't in line with their college aspirations. Realize, however, that there are plenty of  ways to compensate for low SAT scores . There are many excellent colleges for students with not-so-great scores  as well as hundreds of test-optional colleges . You can also work to improve your scores with approaches that range from buying an SAT prep book to enrolling in a Kaplan SAT prep course . 

Whether you work hard to raise your SAT score, or you look for colleges that don't require high scores, you'll find that you have plenty of college options whatever your SAT scores are.

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• 2019–2020 SAT Score Release Dates
• SAT and ACT Scores for Admission to Top Public Liberal Arts Colleges
• SAT Scores for Admission to Four-Year South Dakota Colleges

• SAT Exam Info
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What Is a Good SAT Score? (2023-2024)

• A good SAT score is generally considered to be 1210 or higher, which would put you in the top 25% of all test takers. 
• In 2023, the national average score earned on the SAT was 1028, and a “perfect” score on the SAT is the maximum score of 1600. 
• Every college and university has its own unique SAT score range which should be consulted when determining what a “good” score is for you.
• Your SAT score does not determine if a college will accept you, but a high score can make you a more competitive applicant.

A good SAT score is subjective, ultimately depending on what schools you are applying to. However, earning a high SAT score will make you stand out to college admissions officers and can increase your chances of getting a college scholarship. Learn about current SAT scores for top universities and how the SAT scoring system works so you can understand what a good SAT score is and set your exam goals.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SAT Scores for Ivy League Schools

• SAT Scores for Top Universities in the U.S.

SAT Scores for Top Liberal Arts Colleges in the U.S.

How does sat scoring work, sat score ranges & percentiles, how to compare scores on the digital sat & paper-and-pencil sat, does my sat score determine which college will accept me, how to improve your sat score, sat preview quiz, sat/act score conversion calculator.

The eight private universities that comprise the Ivy League are some of the most competitive universities in the U.S. Earning a good SAT score is an important factor in gaining acceptance into an Ivy League School. A competitive score for any of the Ivy League schools is a score of about 1560 (out of 1600). In the table below, we showcase the SAT score ranges for Ivy League Schools in 2023.

Sources: College Board BigFuture & U.S. News

SAT Scores for Top Universities in the U.S

In addition to the Ivy League SAT scores listed above, you may be wondering about SAT scores needed for other top universities in the U.S. Read on for information about SAT scores needed for these top universities.

SAT Score Needed for Stanford University

Students who gain acceptance into Stanford University have an SAT score between 1500 and 1570. Stanford is a university in Palo Alto, CA that is influenced by the innovative environment provided by neighboring Silicon Valley. Stanford has under 8,000 undergraduate students and a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio, giving it a small, liberal arts college feel.

SAT Score Needed for Duke University

Students who gain acceptance into Duke University have an SAT score between 1510 and 1560. Duke is the 5th largest research university in the United States based on research funding, and over half of Duke undergraduates complete faculty-mentored research projects. This Durham, NC school encourages students to take a variety of courses, and students can choose from a long list of majors and minors or even, in some circumstances, design their own degree program that fits their interests.

SAT Score Needed for John Hopkins University

Students who gain acceptance into Johns Hopkins University have an SAT score between 1490 and 1550. Johns Hopkins, located in downtown Baltimore, is a research-based university with an emphasis on academic freedom. That means that undergraduates aren’t required to take any set core classes; instead, Johns Hopkins encourages students to take interdisciplinary courses and explore a wide range of topics. Additionally, many internships and study abroad opportunities are available to undergraduates—over a third of students complete some sort of international experience and 85% complete at least one internship before they graduate.

SAT Score Needed for NYU

Students who gain acceptance into New York University (NYU) have an SAT score between 1470 and 1560. NYU is a private research university with campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai. The university comprises 20 schools and colleges and has a student body of over 50,000 students. The renowned Tisch School of the Arts offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in acting, dance, dramatic writing, film, television, and more. Former Tisch students include acclaimed directors Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee.

SAT Score Needed for MIT

Students who gain acceptance into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have an SAT score between 1520 and 1570. MIT, a science and technology-based university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was founded in 1861 for the purpose of advancing the Industrial Revolution. Today, the school is known for its strength in science and engineering. Over 60% of MIT students enroll in the School of Engineering, and nearly 30% complete a major in the School of Science. 85% of undergraduate students participate in faculty-led research.

SAT Score Needed for the University of Chicago

Students who gain acceptance into the University of Chicago have an SAT score between 1510 and 1560. Undergraduates at the University of Chicago begin their education with a core curriculum akin to what you’d find at a liberal arts university. The University of Chicago aims to teach students how—not what—to think, so students take a set of core classes designed to prepare them to explore complex ideas and debate with other students and faculty members.

The best liberal arts colleges are just as competitive as the best universities. Keep in mind that none of these colleges have an SAT minimum score cutoff, and your SAT score is far from the only factor considered in your application. Each of these schools views your application holistically, meaning that other factors such as GPA, extracurriculars, and who you are as a person will also come into play. Here are the SAT scores needed for some of the top liberal arts colleges in the U.S.:

SAT Score Needed for Williams College

Students who gain acceptance into Williams College have an SAT score between 1490 and 1550. Williams College was founded in 1793 in Williams, Massachusetts. It has three academic branches: arts and humanities, social sciences, and science and mathematics. Within these three branches, there are 36 majors students can choose from. Instead of a minor, students at Williams chose a “concentration,” which is a grouping of classes spanning multiple disciplines centered on a broad topic such as Maritime Studies or Public Health.

SAT Score Needed for Amherst College

Students who gain acceptance into Amherst College have an SAT score between 1450 and 1550. Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts doesn’t have any core requirements, which allows students to completely create their own curriculum. There are 40 total majors offered at Amherst in the arts, sciences, social studies, and humanities. Thanks to small class sizes—the average is 19 students per class—and a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students at Amherst have lots of opportunities for discussion with classmates and faculty members.

SAT Score Needed for Pomona College

Students who gain acceptance into Pomona College have an SAT score between 1480 and 1540. Pomona College is located about 30 miles from Los Angeles in Claremont, CA. It’s one of the Claremont Colleges, a consortium of five undergraduate colleges and 2 graduate schools within several blocks of each other that share a library and other resources. Students at Pomona are encouraged to participate in research, and small class sizes facilitate seminar-based learning. In an effort to encourage students to study abroad, Pomona charges the same tuition for semesters abroad as it does for semesters at the main campus.

SAT Score Needed for Swarthmore College

Students who gain acceptance into Swarthmore College have an SAT score between 1455 and 1540. Swarthmore is located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, and is a somewhat unique liberal arts school for a couple of reasons. First, Swarthmore wants students to explore their interests and see what Swarthmore has to offer. To encourage this, first-semester classes are essentially pass/fail—the classes you take go on your transcript, but your grades don’t. Second, you can study engineering at Swarthmore, whereas liberal arts colleges usually don’t have pre-professional programs.

SAT Score Needed for Wellesley College

Students who gain acceptance into Wellesley College have an SAT score between 1440 and 1540. Wellesley is a women’s college in the educational hub of Wellesley, MA. Located not far from Babson College, MIT, Brandeis University, and Olin College of Engineering, a Wellesley education includes opportunities to study at—and even get a joint degree with—any of the aforementioned schools.

SAT Score Needed for Bowdoin College

Students who gain acceptance into Bowdoin College have an SAT score between 1340 and 1520. Students at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, begin their studies with foundational courses in each of the following basic disciplines: mathematics, computational or statistical reasoning, inquiry in the natural sciences, exploring social differences, international perspective, and visual and performing arts. Students declare majors as sophomores. The admissions process at Bowdoin is unique in that most applicants aren’t required to submit GPAs or standardized test scores. They can submit scores if they wish, but Bowdoin hasn’t required applicants to submit scores since 1969.

Now that you’ve seen what a good SAT score is at top universities, we’ll break down how the SAT scoring system works. SAT scoring is based on a 1600-point scale, with two sections— Math and Reading and Writing —scored between 200 and 800. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so your raw score is the sum of the number of questions you answer correctly. SAT raw scores are converted to scaled scores, which are used to determine percentile ranks. The percentile indicates how well you did compared to other test takers. For example, if you score in the 72nd percentile, you did better than 72% of SAT test takers. This process ensures that your score is not affected by different forms of the test or other students’ ability levels. This scaled score is what you will see when you get your scores.

Expert SAT Tip

Planning and preparation go a long way. The SAT may seem intimidating and impossible to master, but you can achieve your best score with a study schedule that you can stick to. Short study sessions (up to an hour each) held consistently over time can help you reach your goals. Leaning on the expertise and guidance of a teacher or tutor can take you to the next level in your preparation. Research your schools, set a goal, and begin raising your score!

SAT Scoring Factors

The SAT is scored on a 200 to 800 scale in each section in 10-point increments. The two sections (Reading and Writing and Math) will have scores provided separately. This relatively small scale means that small improvements in your score can make a big difference in your percentile rank. For example, a 10-point increase in your score could boost your percentile rank by several points.

Below are SAT scoring ranges and percentiles from 2023.

  Best SAT Scores

These SAT scores will put you in the top 10% of all SAT test takers

SAT EVIDENCE-BASED READING AND WRITING: 670-800

Sat math:  690-800,   competitive sat scores.

These SAT scores will put you in a highly competitive place in admissions (top 25% of all SAT test takers)

SAT EVIDENCE-BASED READING AND WRITING: 610-660

Sat math: 600-680,  above average sat scores.

These SAT scores put you ahead of the pack (50%+), but won’t be as advantageous when applying to highly competitive programs

SAT EVIDENCE-BASED READING AND WRITING: 540-600

Sat math: 530-590,   below average sat scores.

These SAT scores may be enough to get into a wide variety of graduate programs, but will be below average compared to the testing population

SAT EVIDENCE-BASED READING AND WRITING: 530 or lower

Sat math: 520 or lower.

Beginning in the spring of 2024, the SAT will no longer be a pencil-and-paper exam. With the exception of certain student accommodations, all students will take the Digital SAT on a computer. Despite the changes to the SAT, the exam will continue to be scored on a 1600-point scale like its predecessor. Your overall Digital SAT score will range from 400–1600 and is calculated by adding your two section scores together.

[ READ NEXT: How to Prepare for the Digital SAT ]

Scoring on the Adaptive Digital SAT

The new SAT is adaptive. How well you do on your first module determines the questions you see in the second. This is often called a multi-staged test. Doing well on the first module, also known as the routing module, will send you to a higher-difficulty second module. This will give you a chance to earn the very top scores for a section (either Reading and Writing or Math). 

Bear in mind that even if you are routed to an easier second module, you can still earn a competitive score on the SAT. Don’t spend time trying to figure out which difficulty level you were routed to; this will only waste your brainpower and time. Your focus should be to do your best on every question, regardless of the module. While their exact formula is proprietary, your total SAT score is based on how you do on both modules of Reading and Writing and both modules of Math. There is very likely an overlapping range of scores possible for students routed to the easier or harder second module.

Your SAT score does not determine which college will accept you, but a good SAT score can help differentiate your application, even if the SAT is optional at the school you are applying to. Whether or not you are admitted to a college program (and whether or not you receive scholarship money) can depend on several factors. In addition to focusing on achieving the best SAT score possible for you, you should also work on obtaining the best GPA possible, writing a spectacular personal statement, taking a challenging course load, and rounding out your application with extracurriculars.

Test-Optional College Admissions

Some colleges have decided to make SAT test scores optional as part of their application requirements. This may sound like a good idea, but if you are looking to have your application stand out, a good SAT score is still one of the best ways to do that. Just because a school has decided to allow applicants to exclude SAT test scores does not mean other applicants are not continuing to submit SAT scores when applying.

A good SAT score can allow you to shine in the college admissions journey, even within a test-optional landscape. Presenting a competitive SAT score to your prospective school signals to admissions officers that you are a student who consistently exceeds expectations. Beyond this, a strong SAT performance can help you secure valuable scholarship opportunities. In short, a strong SAT score can help open doors for you.

Improving your SAT score by even ten points can increase your chances of getting into your dream school. Kaplan offers a wide range of free prep resources to help you succeed on the SAT, including: 

• SAT Question of the Day: Raise your SAT score with free daily practice questions delivered straight to your inbox!
• Free SAT Practice Test: See how you would score with an SAT practice test and get a detailed report of your strengths and weaknesses.
• SAT Study Plans: Whether you are studying for three months or have just one month before test day, we have an SAT study plan to help you stay organized. 
• SAT On Demand Free Trial: Try Kaplan’s SAT Prep On Demand Course free for seven days and see how our experts can help you maximize your SAT score.

Learn from your mistakes! Often, we see mistakes as failures. When it comes to SAT prep, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Mistakes are simply information. A mistake doesn’t tell you that you’re not good enough or that you’ll never reach your goals. A mistake tells you what you can work on to reach your goals. When you make a mistake on an SAT question, ask yourself some questions: Why did I make this mistake? Was I rushing? Do I need to learn the concept? Did I misread the question or answer choices? Did I make a silly mistake? The answer to these questions will tell you what your next step is.

Find out how you would do on the SAT by practicing with our quick quiz!

Quickly convert your SAT score to an ACT score using our free calculator.

Written by Kaplan experts, reviewed by Heather Waite, Director of Content and Curriculum, Pre-College at Kaplan North America. Heather has taught thousands of students how to master the PSAT, ACT, and SAT for over a decade. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Indiana University.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, what are average sat scores like.

I'm planning on taking the SAT soon and I wanted to know what the average scores typically look like. Additionally, what score should I aim for to make my application competitive for top colleges?

Average SAT scores can be divided into two categories: national averages and averages for specific colleges.

The national average SAT score for the 2022-2023 academic year was around 1028, with an average of 520 in the Reading and Writing section and an average of 508 in the Math section. Keep in mind that national averages include test-takers with a wide range of academic abilities and college aspirations.

When it comes to top colleges, however, the average scores are significantly higher. For instance, at highly selective schools like Ivy League institutions, the middle 50% SAT range typically falls between 1450 and 1560. This means that 25% of admitted students scored below 1450, 25% scored above 1560, and 50% fell within the 1450-1560 range.

To make your application competitive for top colleges, you should aim for at least a 1450, but a score of 1500 or higher will strengthen your chances. Keep in mind, though, that high SAT scores alone will not guarantee admission to these institutions, as they also consider factors like your transcript, extracurricular activities, essays, letters of recommendation, and other aspects of your application.

It's important to research the average SAT scores of admitted students for the specific colleges you're interested in, as each college's score range may differ. This data can help you set an appropriate target score, and remember that a strong application balances high test scores with excellent academic and extracurricular achievements. Good luck with your test preparations!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

What is The average sat score

It’s currently possible to earn a combined SAT score anywhere between 400 and 1600 in ten-point increments. We all know it’s highly unusual to score only a 400 or to top out at the elusive, perfect 1600.

But what’s an average SAT score?

Ever since SAT scores were recentered in the 1990s, the test has been engineered so that the median SAT score is 1000, the sum of two scores of 500 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) section and Math section. The mean average scores on the SAT change, however–even annually.

In fact, that’s why the SAT was recentered in the first place: at that time the average SAT score was consistently well below the intended median. You can imagine the collective outrage from one group of students and elation from another after recentering: one year everyone’s average SAT score suddenly jumped.

As of 2018, the SAT official data showed that the average SAT score was slightly above 1000.

2018 Average SAT Scores

The College Board releases an annual report full of SAT data, so it’s relatively easy to view SAT scores through the several lenses we’ll use here. (You can read the full reports here .)

Naturally, you’ll want to know more than what the average SAT score is, and a snapshot of the percentiles for SAT scores can be useful for understanding how your scores stack up against those of other students. After all, most students who are applying to extremely competitive colleges and universities will be competing with students nationwide for admission.

You’ll see here that the SAT releases percentile scores that compare your score with those of all the students in the United States and just the students who took the SAT, the “SAT Users.”

Table of Contents

Total Score Percentile Ranking for 2018

Find out more about what a good SAT score is here.

What Is the Average SAT Score by State?

You can begin to better understand why it’s tricky to pinpoint the meaning of any given average SAT score when you consider SAT scores by state. Here we see that the average SAT score varies–as does the number of students who take the test in any given region.

This matters as colleges try to admit students from a wide variety of states; in other words, if you live in California or Texas, you’re competing with more students from your area and will also be compared to them. Your SAT score may be relatively strong or weak compared to the smaller population you’re competing with in your state.

This is also a great lesson on why the basics of statistics are included on the SAT test itself: you’ll see that the average SAT score in Alabama exceeds the average SAT score in California by 90 points. Only 2,878 students took the SAT in Alabama last year, though, so they probably have a different (and more consistent) profile than those students in California.

You’d also need to take averages in states like Maine and Florida with a grain of salt; most students in those states take the SAT because of graduation assessment requirements.  

Average SAT Scores by State

Is your state not listed in my samples? You can find every state’s individual report here .

What Is the Average SAT score at Ivy League Schools?

Here’s a sampling of the average SAT Scores at some Ivy League Schools.

• Harvard : Average Total SAT Score 1515 (2016)
• Princeton: Average Total SAT Score 1495 (2016)   
• Yale: middle 50%
• SAT-Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 720-770
• SAT-Math: 740-790
• Brown: Average SAT Score 1470 (2016)
• Stanford : middle 50%
• SAT Math Section: 720-800
• SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 700-770

Remember that the average score at an Ivy League school is about as valuable to you as the published score range: there are always allowances for certain subsets of populations (major donors, students with significant legacy, recruited athletes, etc.), and while it’s not always the case, sometimes those students don’t score as high on the SAT as the average SAT score of students who do not enjoy those benefits while applying.

In other words, if you’re a regular student applying to an Ivy League school without “pull,” shoot for a score higher than the average SAT at that school.  

What Is the Average SAT Score for the Duke TIP Program?

Duke University has a famous Talent Identification Program that uses 7th grade SAT test scores to invite gifted young people to engage in a variety of academic enrichment programs. Duke seeks out students who test in the top five percent of their grade, and one of the ways they do that is through an early SAT test.

Duke TIP Average SAT Scores

You’d need a special registration to take the SAT this young; find out more about the Duke TIP Program here .

What Is the Average SAT Score for Johns Hopkins SET Program?

The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth offers a program called the Study for Exceptional talent. This free program enrolls students who score at least a 700 on either the SAT Math or the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing by their 13th birthday or 700 plus increments of ten for every month beyond their 13th birthday.

Hopkins doesn’t release the average SAT score for students in the SET program, but you can be sure it’s at least 700.

You can find out more about Hopkins SET eligibility here.

What Is the Average SAT Score at Community College?

Most community colleges don’t require SAT scores to enroll, so there isn’t information generally available about their average SAT scores. That being said, many community colleges use SAT scores in lieu of placement tests, which can help you get out of taking introductory classes, which saves you time and money.

Now that you know the average SAT score, you can set some goals and start prepping . Find out when you should take the SAT here.

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

What is the Average SAT Score Over Time (And Why Does it Matter)?

March 13, 2024

If you’ve just received your SAT score results for the first time, you might be wondering how your score compares. Alternatively, you might be preparing to take the SAT this upcoming year and want to know what to expect. Looking at average SAT scores over time can give you a firm sense of the big picture as well as what a “typical” score might look like. Moreover, it gives you the opportunity to assess whether overall scores are dropping, consistent, or on the rise. In today’s blog, we’ll look at the national average SAT score (and why it matters) as well as SAT trends in certain U.S. states.

Looking for expert SAT prep? For years, we’ve been referring our clients to a select group of providers. Click below to learn more.

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What is the average SAT score over time?

Before diving into average SAT scores over time, let’s first look at 2023’s SAT data. College Board’s SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report, typically released each September, compiles the average SAT score. It also provides information about students’ ethnicity, test-taking history, school location, and more.

Some quick stats:

• A majority of SAT test takers in 2023 were female students (51%), which is equivalent to approximately 966,726 students.
• White students (39%) made up the largest ethnicity of test takers this year at approximately 752,632 students.
• Hispanic/Latino (24%) students were the next largest ethnicity at approximately 462,186 students.
• Suburban schools made up the largest percentage of school locations (40%), with over 700,000 students reporting.
• In 2023, over 1.9 million students took the exam at least once. That’s a higher number than 2022, with an increase of about 200,000 students!

The data below will reflect the College Board’s most recent 2023 findings. Let’s start with how many students scored within specific percentiles.

2023 Score Percentiles

What was the average SAT score in 2023?

In 2023, the average SAT score was 1028 . Interestingly, this means the average SAT score was slightly lower than in 2022, when the average was 1050. While this number isn’t dramatically different, the percentage of students who met the benchmark for their math and reading scores on the SAT dropped this year. However, these numbers may be influenced by the lingering effects of the pandemic, so it’s difficult to accurately predict what future trends might look like.

However, we can see how past trends look. Let’s compare the average SAT score for 2023 to earlier decades. We compiled this information using data from the National Center for Education Statistics and College Board Top Profile data .

It’s also important to remember scoring system updates . Before 2005, the test was scored out of 1600. From 2005 to 2016, the test was graded on a sliding numeric scale from 600-2400, and section scores were graded on a sliding scale of 200-800. Since 2016, the test has been scored on a sliding numeric scale that ranges from 400-1600.

The below averages were calculated based on the national average reading and math scores.

What is the Average ACT Score – 1972-2005

When looking at this data, the most striking trend is that while math scores continued to improve, reading scores decreased. In fact, between the lowest and highest point of the average SAT score for math, there was a jump of 28 points. Conversely, the average score for reading continued to steadily decrease. Between the lowest and highest point of the average score for reading, there was a drop of 31 points.

Most noticeably, the biggest drop from year to year happened between 1974 and 1975 when the average score for reading fell 9 points. However, this graph demonstrates an upward trend in the average SAT Reading score by 2005.

The next graph will compare average SAT scores starting from 2006-2016. The difference? This graph includes average writing scores, as 2006 was the first year that the Writing section was offered. Additionally, this graph will include the final years of the former grading scale, with a possible perfect score of 2400.

What is the Average SAT Score – 2006-2016

Like the previous graph, this one also shows a trend in consistently lowered average SAT reading scores. Interestingly, over this 10-year span, the same can be said for the average SAT math scores. In all columns and subjects, the average score drops each year.

Most noticeably, in the writing portion of the SAT, the score drops 15 points over 10 years.

Finally, let’s conclude with a graph of the average scores from 2017-2023. Starting in 2017, the Writing section was no longer offered, and the test was once again scored on a scale of 1600.

What is the Average SAT Score – 2017-2023

Why do average SAT scores matter?

Knowing average nationwide, local, and college-specific SAT scores can give you a better sense of what to aim for on the exam as well as how to prepare. Moreover, staying on top of fluctuations in those scores can help you assess how competitive your score is relative to other test-takers.

For example, if you know that only 7% of test-takers nationwide scored between 1400-1600, that should signal to you that you’ll need to put in some serious preparation in order to earn a top score. Then, you’ll need to consider where your test score might fall relative to others at your school—at a private school like Phillips Exeter Academy , where the average SAT score is 1450, a score of 1400 may seem low to a college admissions office. On the flip side, if the average SAT score of your school district is 1200 and you submit a score of 1400, it could showcase your academic strength, preparedness, and potential relative to your peers.

The final step will be to look at the mid-50 th percentile SAT ranges at your college(s) of choice. If you’re applying to highly selective institutions, you’ll often need scores much higher than the national average—and maybe even your local average—to be competitive. For example, in 2023, the mid-50 th percentile score of accepted Harvard applicants was 1490-1580.

Where do most SAT test-takers live?

Let’s take a look at which states have the highest and lowest percentages of SAT test takers.

Coming in at the highest percentage is the District of Columbia, where 100% of students take the SAT. Other states with high percentages of SAT test-takers are Illinois (96%), Delaware (95%), Idaho (95%), and Rhode Island (95%). Interestingly, students on the coast take the SAT more than students in other parts of the country.

Some states with the lowest percentage of test takers are Arkansas (2%), Kansas (2%), Kentucky (2%), and Mississippi (1%). These states favor the ACT as a standardized testing method.

If you’re wondering what the average SAT score is for each state, let’s review some of the states with the highest percentages of SAT test-takers. For the purposes of this graph, we’ll pull data from states with at least 80% of students taking the exam. This graph uses 2023 data. As you review it, remember that the national average score for 2023 was 1028.

As you can see, New Hampshire earned the highest average score in 2023. In fact, New Hampshire’s average SAT score is higher than the national average. Connecticut is a close second with an average SAT score of 1007—21 points away from the national average.

Has the SAT gotten harder over time?

Regardless of test format and scoring practices, SAT scores have stayed relatively consistent over time. This suggests that the SAT has not gotten harder. However, the general format or length of the exam may affect the overall average, as the average national score increased when the test was shortened in 2016.

Since 2024 is the first year of the new, shorter Digital SAT, we’ll be curious to see how the updated length and format impact the national average.

Has the content of the SAT changed over time?

Not significantly, other than instating (and then un-instating) the Writing section. Overall, the College Board tries its best to reflect the average student’s high school curriculum within SAT test content.

Who typically does best on the SAT?

Typically, students who do best on the SAT have better access to quality education and resources that help them properly prepare for the test. Access to SAT prep courses and materials can significantly affect one’s overall score. While private tutoring often leads to the highest score increases (sometimes of several hundred points), targeted studying using free, official resources can be extremely effective.

Furthermore, an interesting metric found that the higher the family’s reported median income, the higher the student performed on the test. For example, for students who reported family income in the Lowest Quintile ($0-$53,263), only 38% met the benchmark for the SAT reading score and only 16% met the benchmark for the SAT math score. Compare these numbers to reported family income in the Highest Quintile (>$113,341), where 83% of students met the benchmark for their SAT reading score and 64% met the benchmark for their SAT math scores.

Let’s look at the average of these two instances. When reported family income was in the Middle Quintile ($69,093-$86,073), 58% of students met the reading benchmark, and 33% met the math benchmark.

Final Thoughts — Average SAT Scores Over Time

During the college admissions process, being armed with as much useful knowledge as possible often reduces stress and increases confidence. In particular, understanding how your SAT score compares to national, local, and college-specific averages can help you pinpoint the score you’ll need to earn to be a more competitive applicant.

Looking for more SAT resources? You might find the following blogs to be helpful:

• Digital SAT Calculator
• Guide to the Digital SAT
• SAT Superscore Explained
• Should I Apply Test-Optional?
• SAT to ACT Conversion Chart

Meghan Dairaghi

With a BA in English and an MFA in Creative Writing, Meghan has served as a writing tutor at the University of Missouri St. Louis and Maryville University. Additionally, Meghan has held editorial roles at River Styx and Boulevard, and was a prose reader at Farside Review . Most recently, her work has been featured in Belle Ombre , Flypaper Lit , and Mag 20/20 , among others, and she was nominated for the Mary Troy Prize in Fiction. 

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SAT Essay Score...

SAT Essay Scores: All about SAT Essay Score Range

SAT Essay is the one which requires students to read a foundation text and then analyse how the novelist uses several techniques to build their argument. Each SAT Essay entails one passage between 650 and 750 words that students will read and then reply to. Students have 50 minutes to analyse the text and frame their responses. The SAT Essay comprises three main parts:

•       Reading Prompt
•       Reading Selection
•       Essay Instruction

In 2021, College Board made SAT an optional section. It does not affect your overall score of 1600. Instead, your Essay grade stands unaccompanied on your score report. So, to know more about SAT essay score range & much more information on the same. We have curated a guide below about SAT essay scores and their importance with other general information.

SAT Essay Score Ranges: Highest, Good, and Average SAT Scores

Two scorers will assess your essay response. Each grader will allocate SAT essay score range of 1-4 in three categories: Reading, Analysis, and Writing. The highest grade you can achieve is 8 in all 3 sections, and the lowest score can be 2 for each of the three sections of the SAT Essay Paper.

·       Highest SAT Essay Score

The essay SAT score is an optional part of SAT with a self-regulating scoring system, i.e., means essay score is not involved in the total maximum SAT score of 1600. An evaluator will give you between 1 and 4 points for each section. In totality, each dimension is being scored out of 8 likely points. The 3 separate scores out of 8 points mean that the highest possible SAT essay full score is 8-8-8, or 24 total points.

·       Good SAT Essay Score

Any SAT score above the 50th SAT essay score percentiles, or median, is measured as a good result since it designates that you have done good out of the majority of students. A 50th percentile score, on the other side, will not be sufficient at most admired universities. Depending on how competitive the student pool is, the standard for a high SAT score rises meaningly. This is why it’s usually a good idea to aim for a 1200 or above score.

·       Average SAT Essay Score

There are diverse ways and parameters for calculating the average SAT Essay Scores. However, an average SAT Essay score is 14 out of 24 points for all three sections. The average SAT essay score range is 5 out of 8 for the Reading section, 3 out of 8 for the Analysis Section, and 5 out of 8 for Writing.

Suggested: Everything about SAT Exam Pattern

Why is SAT Essay Score Important?

SAT essay, however, is a completely different exercise: it's a 50-minute rhetorical analysis essay at the end of a three-hour test. According to the College Board's SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report, 68% of students chose to take the essay. The SAT essay requires you to analyse a convincing argument. Topics for the passage can vary significantly but will always be about an argument written for an extensive audience.

 The SAT essay gives you a track to polish it. You can show off your creativity, critical thinking skills, and writing. You can also highlight the colleges where you're enthusiastic about going the extra mile.

Suggested: What Is Considered A Good SAT Score to Study Abroad?

How to Prepare for SAT Essay?

Success on the SAT score with Essay depends on preparation as well as implementation. Here are a few tips that an undergraduate student can go through to prepare well for the SAT essay score.

1.       Study Sample Passages and SAT Essay Prompts

To understand the concept of the SAT essay, go through study sample passages to get high scores in each of the scoring sections, and take time to analyse example SAT essay prompts. As you go through each of the example passages and consistent responses, study how and why the author used to sign, reasoning, and stylistic or persuasive elements.

2.       Understand the SAT Essay Scoring System

Two readers will score your Essay distinctly and allocate a score of 1 to 4 for each of the 3 sections that include reading, analysis, and writing. Your analysis score will imitate how well your essay analyses how the author went about urging the audience. Also, SAT essay score reports offer these three distinct scores, each on a 2 to 8 scale.

3.       Begin with an Outline

An outline helps you plan your writing by giving you a clear logic of direction when transitioning from one point to the next. Planning out your method for an introduction, body, and conclusion when the content is fresh in your mind will safeguard that you don't reach the end of your answer with blocks in your argument.

4.       Make Time for Edits

After making all the approaches and figuring out how to write SAT essay, aim to take out some time in the end for review. In doing so, you may catch misunderstood information or find other ways to extra build on the points you made in your response.

Suggested: SAT Preparation Books to Ace Your Score

The choice is eventually yours to take SAT essay or not, but there are pros to taking the SAT with Essay even if a college or university you're interested in doesn't require it. A clear profit would be that it opens up your possible college choices, regardless of what you've decided on presently. Besides, if you want to know about SAT Score and other information, connect with our Yocket Counsellors and get 15 min free consultation to clear your queries efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions about SAT Essay Score

What is a good score on SAT essay?

A good SAT essay score would be three 8's; that's a 4 from both graders in all three categories.

Which colleges abroad require SAT Essay?

There are some colleges abroad where SAT essay is required: 1) Benedictine University 2) City University London 3) Delaware State University 4) University of North Texas 5) Dominican University of California 6) DeSales University 7) Western Carolina University 8) Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Is the SAT Essay mandatory?

In June 2021, the College Board chose to discontinue the SAT essay. Now, only students in a few states and school regions still have access to and must complete the SAT essay. This obligation applies to some students in the SAT School Day program.

Is 22 a good SAT essay score?

If you can achieve above 22 out of 24, it is the highest SAT score.

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Full-Length Paper Practice Tests

Download an official full-length practice test for free to help you prepare.

While anyone is welcome to use our downloadable paper practice tests, using these practice materials does not mean you have been approved to test with a particular accommodation. The PDF versions of our practice tests are nonadaptive and are recommended only for students who will test with paper-based accommodations on test day.

When you're ready to score your test, download the scoring guide and answer explanations for your practice test and check your answers.

NOTE: The practice test materials for PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 can be used interchangeably.

Full-Length SAT Paper Practice Tests

You can find everything you need to take and score your official full-length SAT practice tests on paper below.

Full-Length SAT Paper Practice Test 1

This full-length, linear (nonadaptive) official SAT practice test was written by the same people who wrote the SAT. Download it to get started.

SAT Practice Test 1–Digital

This full-length, official SAT practice test was written by the same people who wrote the SAT. Download it to get started.

SAT Practice Test 1 Answer Explanations–Digital

Download the answers — and the explanations that show why they are right — for SAT Practice Test 1.

Scoring Your SAT Practice Test 1—Digital

Download this guide to calculate your section and total scores for SAT Practice Test 1.

Full-Length SAT Paper Practice Test 2

Sat practice test 2–digital, sat practice test 2 answer explanations–digital.

Download the answers — and the explanations that show why they are right — for SAT Practice Test 2.

Scoring Your SAT Practice Test 2—Digital

Download this guide to calculate your section and total scores for SAT Practice Test 2.

Full-Length SAT Paper Practice Test 3

Sat practice test 3–digital, sat practice test 3 answer explanations–digital.

Download the answers — and the explanations that show why they are right — for SAT Practice Test 3.

Scoring Your SAT Practice Test 3—Digital

Download this guide to calculate your section and total scores for SAT Practice Test 3.

Full-Length SAT Paper Practice Test 4

Sat practice test 4–digital, sat practice test 4 answer explanations–digital, scoring your sat practice test 4—digital.

Download this guide to calculate your section and total scores for SAT Practice Test 4.

Full-Length SAT Paper Practice Test 5

Sat practice test 5–digital, sat practice test 5 answer explanations–digital.

Download the answers — and the explanations that show why they are right — for SAT Practice Test 5.

Scoring Your SAT Practice Test 5—Digital

Download this guide to calculate your section and total scores for SAT Practice Test 5.

Full-Length SAT Paper Practice Test 6

Sat practice test 6–digital, sat practice test 6 answer explanations–digital.

Download the answers — and the explanations that show why they are right — for SAT Practice Test 6.

Scoring Your SAT Practice Test 6—Digital

Download this guide to calculate your section and total scores for SAT Practice Test 6.

Full-Length Paper Practice Tests for PSAT-Related Assessments

When you want to practice for the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or PSAT 8/9, our full-length practice tests can help you prepare.

Full-Length PSAT/NMSQT Paper Practice Test

Psat/nmsqt practice test 1, scoring your psat/nmsqt practice test 1.

Use this guide to score your test.

PSAT/NMSQT Practice Test 1 Answer Explanations

Full-length psat 10 paper practice test, psat 10 practice test 1, scoring your psat 10 practice test 1, psat 10 practice test 1 answer explanations, psat 8/9 practice test 1.

Take an official PSAT 8/9 practice test and score your results.

PSAT 8/9: Practice Test 1

Psat 8/9 practice test 1 answer explanations, scoring your psat 8/9 practice test 1, sat practice essays.

If your state offers SAT Essay as part of its in-school testing, you can find practice essay prompts and scoring explanations below.

SAT Practice Essays and Score Explanations—Digital

NOTE: The Essay is only available in certain states where it's required as part of SAT School Day administrations. If you're going to be taking the SAT on a school day, ask your counselor if it will include the Essay section.

SAT Practice Essay 1—Digital

This full-length, official SAT practice essay was written by the same people who wrote the SAT. Download it to get started.

SAT Practice Essay 1 Score Explanations—Digital

Download student sample essays—and the explanations that show why they received the score they did—for SAT Practice Essay 1.

SAT Practice Essay 2—Digital

Sat practice essay 2 score explanations—digital.

Download student sample essays—and the explanations that show why they received the score they did—for SAT Practice Essay 2.

SAT Practice Essay 3—Digital

Sat practice essay 3 score explanations—digital.

Download student sample essays—and the explanations that show why they received the score they did—for SAT Practice Essay 3.

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, average sat scores by state (most recent).

More than a million students across the country take the SAT each year. So what do SAT scores by state look like? How do you stack up against other test takers in your state? Finally, what are some interesting state facts—for example, which state has the highest SAT score? The lowest SAT score? The highest rate of participation?

It's the battle of the states, SAT edition. Find out your state's average SAT scores and other fun facts in this article!

What Is the National Average SAT Score?

Before we get into the SAT averages by state, let's quickly go over the SAT scoring system as well as what the overall average SAT score in the US currently is.

As you probably know, the SAT is made up of three sections: Reading, Writing and Language (also just called Writing), and Math. The Math section is scored on a scale of 200-800, while the Reading and Writing sections are combined to give you a final Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) score on a scale of 200-800.

By combining these two sections, we get a total SAT score range of 400-1600, with 1600 being a perfect score .

Now that we've got this down, let's take a look at the national average SAT score. In 2023, the College Board reported the following average SAT scores :

• Total: 1028
• Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW): 520

As you can see, the average scores for ERW and Math are quite close. These then add up to get a total SAT average score that's around the halfway point of the total score range (400-1600).

But what are the average SAT scores by state? Keep reading to learn some interesting trends and to see the notable top spots held by different states!

State SAT Awards

We'll start with the states that have won our "State SAT Awards." The categories for these are as follows:

• Highest SAT Score
• Highest SAT Score With Over 20% Participation
• Team Players (Over 75% Participation)
• Lowest SAT Score
• Most Variation Between SAT Sections

All data below comes from the College Board's 2022 SAT state reports .

North Dakota might be known for the badlands...but they have good SAT scores. 

Highest Score: North Dakota (SAT Score: 1287)

Wisconsin takes the cake for highest average SAT score with 1287. This is 259 points higher than the national average!

But wait—North Dakota also has lower test participation than most of the US at 1%. In other words, just 83 seniors who graduated in 2023 took the SAT. 

Because more students in North Dakota take the ACT than they do the SAT, North Dakota's high average SAT score likely means that only the most prepared, ambitious high schoolers take the SAT. These students tend to score higher, effectively raising the state's average.

But what if we look instead at states with a significant participation rate—that is, a state in which more than 20% of students take the SAT? The winner for that SAT award is ...

North Carolina is known as the birthplace of aviation...and also high SAT scores.  

Highest Score With Over 20% Participation: North Carolina (SAT Score: 1127, with 24% Participation)

Great achievement here! With 27,803 students in the class of 2023 taking the SAT here, North Carolina is truly outperforming the national average. The state averaged an ERW score of 570 and a Math score of 557, with an average total score of 1127.

Team Players (Over 75% Participation): 13 States

There are 13 states where over 75% of seniors took the SAT in 2023. They are:

• Connecticut
• Washington D.C.
• New Hampshire
• Rhode Island
• West Virginia

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were multiple states each year that had 100% participation for the SAT. They were typically states that required all high school students to take the SAT as part of normal high school testing.

However, with the large number of colleges making standardized tests optional during the pandemic and beyond, it wasn't as high a priority for high schools to offer the SAT. As a result, only Washington D.C. and Indiana had 100% participation this year.

Lowest Score: New Mexico (SAT Score: 901)

Unfortunately, New Mexico underperforms the national average by more than 125 points. This is likely due to the high percentage of seniors who took the SAT in New Mexico (94%). In other states where less than 5% of seniors took the SAT, it's likely only the most prepared students took the SAT, thus bumping up the average. Other states with low average SAT scores were West Virginia, Delaware, Washington D.C., Florida, and Oklahoma  (<975 composite score). The U.S. Virgin Islands, a U.S. territory, also have low SAT scores.

Most Variation Between Sections: West Virginia (551 EBRW, 503 Math) 

West Virginia had an average Math score that was at least 33 points lower than their average Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) score.

There's also a discrepancy among students in the US Virgin Islands–students scored an average of 47 points higher on ERW than on Math. but since there were only 462 students in the class of 2023 who took the SAT there, such variance is less surprising than in West Virginia, where far more students took the SAT.

List of All Average State SAT Scores

Here are the most recent average SAT scores for all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Find your area below and see how your SAT score compares with your region's average!

Source: The College Board

What's Next?

How will scores change on the Digital SAT?  Our breakdown of the new digital SAT test format will teach you everything you need to know.

Confused about SAT scoring? Learn more about how the SAT is scored , and get tips on how to figure out your SAT goal score based on the schools you're applying to.

Wondering what it takes to get a perfect SAT score? I scored a perfect SAT score and wrote a detailed guide about what it takes here . Read this to learn all of my best strategies—and to get a 1600 on test day!

If you liked this post, make sure you scroll up and subscribe on the right hand side so you can stay up-to-date with our SAT/ACT articles!

As co-founder and head of product design at PrepScholar, Allen has guided thousands of students to success in SAT/ACT prep and college admissions. He's committed to providing the highest quality resources to help you succeed. Allen graduated from Harvard University summa cum laude and earned two perfect scores on the SAT (1600 in 2004, and 2400 in 2014) and a perfect score on the ACT. You can also find Allen on his personal website, Shortform , or the Shortform blog .

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