Good SAT Scores: Score Range, Cutoff Scores for Top Colleges
Content Curator | Updated On - May 6, 2024
Highlights -
- Good SAT score depends on the university ranking, the acceptance rate, and the difficulty of the course.
- The average good SAT score is 1050.
- Perfect SAT score is 1600 and a good SAT score is usually between 1440-1600.
- The total SAT score range is 400-1600.
A good SAT score is the one that helps you get chosen for your dream university or college. But what is the good SAT score? Good SAT score depends on the university and the cutoff scores set by them. The average SAT score is 1050. So if your score is above 1350, It would put you in the top 10% of the other aspirants and increase your chances of getting into an Ivy League school. A good SAT score will also make you eligible for the scholarships. Perfect SAT score would be 1600. SAT exam good scores for Ivy League colleges usually range from 1440 to 1560, depending on the university.
SAT Score Range and Percentile
The aggregate of the two sections—SAT Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing—makes up the overall SAT scores report. SAT score ranges from 400-1600. To help candidates better prepare for the test, following table gives a general overview of good SAT scores Math.
| Percentile | Math Score | Evidence-Based Reading Writing Score | Total SAT score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 (Median) | 520 | 530 | 1040-1050 |
| 75 (Good) | 600 | 610 | 1200-1210 |
| 85 | 660 | 650 | 1290 |
| 95 | 740-750 | 710 | 1430-1440 |
| 99+ | - | 780-800 | 1560-1600 |
SAT Percentile
Candidates wonder “what is the good score for SAT”. Candidates will understand performance in relation to other SAT test-takers by looking at their SAT score range and score percentiles. The percentile, not the highest or maximum SAT score, determines the SAT test outcomes. For example, if the candidate has secured 80 percentile, it means candidate has performed better than 80% of test takers.
| SAT Composite Score (Out of 1600) | Percentile (2021) |
|---|---|
| 1600 | 99+ |
| 1550 | 99 |
| 1500 | 98 |
| 1450 | 96 |
| 1400 | 93 |
| 1350 | 90 |
| 1300 | 86 |
| 1250 | 81 |
| 1200 | 74 |
| 1150 | 67 |
| 1100 | 59 |
| 1050 | 51 |
| 1000 | 42 |
| 950 | 34 |
| 900 | 26 |
| 850 | 19 |
| 800 | 12 |
| 750 | 7 |
| 700 | 3 |
| 650 | 1 |
| 600 and below | 1- |
Good SAT Scores for Ivy League College?
Good SAT scores for Ivy League colleges lies in the range of 1540-1570. For example, Top Ivy League Colleges like Harvard University require average SAT score of 1520. Candidates aiming for Ivy League colleges should aim to get 75 percentile for that college. The SAT scores from the middle 50% of enrolled students in Ivy League colleges and universities are shown in the table below.
| School | 25th Percentile SAT Score | 75th Percentile SAT Score | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton | 1440 | 1570 | 6% |
| Harvard | 1460 | 1580 | 5% |
| Columbia University | 1450 | 1560 | 6% |
| Yale | 1470 | 1560 | 6% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 1440 | 1560 | 8% |
| Dartmouth | 1450 | 1550 | 8% |
| Brown University | 1420 | 1550 | 8% |
| Cornell University | 1420 | 1540 | 11% |
Good SAT Scores for Other Top Colleges
The SAT acceptance score varies for universities with a global reputation. Here is a summary of the good SAT scores range needed for undergraduate admission to the best universities, such as scores for NYU:
Scholarships for Good SAT Scores
Good SAT scores for college help candidates to get SAT scholarships. Here are a few merit-based scholarships for candidates based on good SAT Scores:
| SAT Scholarships | SAT Scores Required | Amount Granted |
|---|---|---|
| MSLP Governor’s Best and Brightest Scholarship | 1440 | N/A |
| Pacific Gas and Electric Company Asian ERG Scholarship | 1500 | $2000(INR 16659) |
| Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship | 1000 | $30,000(INR 2498911.50) |
| Deana’s Wish Memorial Scholarship | 1100 | $2,000(INR 16659) |
| Lloyd M. Fujie Scholarship for Accounting Major Students | 1500 | $2,500(INR 208242.63) |
| Matt Logies Memorial Scholarship | 1500 | $5,000(INR 416485.25) |
| Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program | 1070 | $4,000(INR 333188.20) |
| CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program | 1000 | $18,000(INR 1499346.90) |
A good SAT score depends on which college the candidate wants to be admitted to. The average SAT score for higher-ranking colleges is more than other colleges. So, candidates who aim to get into top colleges should prepare well for the SAT.
FAQs
Ques: Is 1300 a good SAT score?
Ans: If a candidate has secured a score of 1300 in SAT, he/she can apply to a number of colleges. Therefore, a score of 1300 is a good SAT score.
Ques: Can I get into Harvard with a 1300 SAT?
Ans: Students willing to take admission to Harvard College need to score an average of 1520. So, a score of 1300 is less.
Ques: Is 1500 a good SAT score?
Ans: Yes, 1500 is a good SAT score as candidates who have secured this score have performed better than atleast 98 percentage of test takers.
Ques: Is 900 an average SAT score?
Ans: No, 900 is not an average SAT score. Average SAT score is in the range of 1000-1200.
Ques: Is the highest SAT score 1600 or 2400?
Ans: The highest SAT score is 1600.
Ques: Is 1300 a good SAT score for international students?
Ans: Yes, 1300 is a good SAT score for international students as exam takers can get into a number of universities with this score.
Ques: Does Harvard accept 1200 SAT?
Ans: The average SAT score for Harvard students stands at 1520. So, Harvard does not accept students with 1200 score.
Ques: What is the highest SAT score in India?
Ans: The highest SAT score is 1600.
Ques: Can you get into Harvard with a 1600 SAT score?
Ans: 1600 is the maximum score a candidate can achieve in the SAT exam. Getting into Harvard with a score of 1520 or above is possible.
Ques: Is it hard to get a 1500 on the SAT?
Ans: If the candidates prepare well for SAT, it is not hard to get 1500 in SAT.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.