What is a Good SAT Score in 2023?

What is considered a good SAT score depends on the colleges and universities you are applying to. Typically, the higher your SAT score, the greater your chances of getting into a top school. But your score is just one component of an application. It's considered in tandem with your grades, any essays or statements submitted, as well as extracurriculars, charity work, and more. That being said, it's still a good goal to do as well as possible on your SAT.

How SATs Are Scored- the Background

The SAT has two sections, Math and Evidence-based Reading and Writing, with each scored on a scale from 200 to 800. To get into one of the top 100 most selective schools, you will generally need to have a composite SAT score of at least 1200, preferably 1400 or more. Composite SAT scores of more than 1400 are in the top five percent of test takers.

Your SAT Score & Scholarships

There are a few other reasons to strive for a great test score: merit scholarships. Some colleges and universities award merit scholarships based on high school GPA and admissions test scores to recruit academically talented students.

In fact, the PSAT is a precursor to the SAT. It's taken in October of the junior year in high school specifically to qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship—as well as introduce students to standardized testing.

Understanding Your SAT Score

The percentile ranking of your test scores against all test takers nationwide can show you how you compare to other undergraduate-bound students. The percentile is the percentage of test takers who get lower test scores than you. For example, the median composite SAT score is 1083 (541 Math, 543 Evidence-based Reading, and Writing).

The median is the 50^th percentile, meaning that half of all test takers got lower scores and half got higher scores. If you get a composite SAT score of 1083 or more, you are above average. The 75^th percentile composite SAT test score is 1215, the 90^th percentile is 1340, and the 95^th percentile is 1410.

This table, which is based on College Board data, lists the percentile ranking for various composite SAT scores.

This table shows the percentile ranking of SAT test scores on the math and reading/writing sections.

Lastly, the graph demonstrates that a 50-point increase in your test scores yields a bigger increase in your percentile ranking around the median than among the higher test scores. That’s because SAT scores form a normal distribution center on the median. As shown in this graph, which shows the percentage of test takers in each 50-point increment, the test takers tend to bunch up around the middle.

Should I Take the SAT? (New for 2023)

If you haven't taken it yet, you might ask yourself if you have to take the SAT or if it is worth it. With test-optional, test-flexible, and test-blind schools, you have a lot to think about now.

According to a 2022 study of new college freshmen, 15% of students said they applied to a school specifically because it did not require them to submit an SAT or ACT score with their application. But you shouldn't do something simply because other people are doing it.

Start deciding whether or not to test by determining if the schools on your list require it. Then, even if they don't, look into whether or not the department you want to study under does.

If you still are in the clear, you'll want to consider whether or not you want to apply for merit scholarships, which we mentioned above. If the answer to these questions is no, then you really have to decide if there's a benefit to taking it.

If you decide to take the SAT and don't like the score you get, you do not have to share your test score with your applications. In that regard, it does not harm at all for you to take it, especially if you can get a fee waiver. You can read more about applying to test-optional schools here.

In the end, the best advice is to evaluate your GPA and extracurricular activities and decide whether you think studying for and taking the test might push you over the edge and help you get into an institution where you might have otherwise been sitting on the fence.

You might also want to look at the ACT if you find you enjoy writing and really like science. 

Your SAT Score & College Applications

Now that you know what's considered a good SAT score and how a slight increase in your score can impact your rank compared to your peers, it's time to use that information to decide where you'll apply to college. 

Click the button below to create a free Appily account to see how competitive you'll be if you apply to the schools on your list. You can also search for additional schools using your SAT score and GPA, in addition to other criteria, to find your perfect match.