Decoding the SAT: Understanding Average Scores and What They Mean for You
The SAT is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. Understanding the average SAT score can provide valuable insights into your performance and help you set realistic goals for college applications. This article delves into various aspects of average SAT scores, including national averages, score distributions, demographic breakdowns, and strategies for improvement.
What is the SAT and Why Does it Matter?
The SAT continues to serve as a key indicator of college readiness and, in many states, a component of statewide assessment and accountability systems. A good SAT score is one that helps you get admitted to a college you want to go to. Don’t ever count yourself out from applying to a school, even if you think your score is low compared to the school’s average. Your SAT score is only one piece of the puzzle.
Understanding the PSAT
Before diving into the SAT, it's important to understand the PSAT (Preliminary SAT). The PSAT 8/9 is a diagnostic test that tells you about your strengths and opportunities for growth. The PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT are benchmark tests that can track your progress throughout high school and give you an idea of how you may score on the SAT when you take it in 11th or 12th grade. By taking the PSAT/NMSQT, your scores will be shared with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, the cosponsor of the test, who will determine whether you qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. Further information about the National Merit Scholarship Program is in Understanding PSAT/NMSQT Scores for Students and Families.
National Average SAT Scores
Recent Trends
In 2024, the average SAT score was 1024. This number only gives you some insight, however, into how you performed. The College Board also publishes median SAT scores, which can give us insight into percentiles. In the past six years, 2021 had the highest SAT score, with an average result of 1060.
Components of the SAT Score
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. 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.
Read also: SAT Requirements for LSU
Class of 2022 Averages
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.
Historical Data
Here's a look at the national average SAT scores over the past six years:
| Graduating Class | Average ERW Score | Average Math Score | Average Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 531 | 528 | 1059 |
| 2020 | 528 | 523 | 1051 |
| 2021 | 533 | 528 | 1060 |
| 2022 | 529 | 521 | 1050 |
| 2023 | 520 | 508 | 1028 |
| 2024 | 519 | 505 | 1024 |
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.
SAT Score Range and Percentiles
The total SAT score range for the SAT is 400-1600 in 10-point increments. The highest possible score on the SAT is a 1600. The lowest is 400. On the current SAT score range, a score of around 1000 (the midway point of the score range) is the average SAT score.
Understanding Percentiles
It's natural to want to know how your SAT score compares to those of your peers. If you scored 1010 on the SAT, that means you did 50% better than other students. If you earned a 1190, you scored higher than 75% of others taking the exam.
Read also: Decoding Princeton Admissions
Current SAT Percentiles
Below is a chart showcasing the current SAT percentiles for Reading and Writing, Math, and the exam as a whole. As a reminder, percentiles indicate what percentage of test takers you scored higher than on a given section.
According to this data, a 99th percentile or higher SAT score is anywhere from 1530 to a perfect 1600. This means that only 1% of test takers scored 1530 or higher on the SAT. Likewise, very few test takers scored on the lower end of the SAT score range. Only 1% of test takers scored between 400 (the absolute minimum) and 670; that's a huge 270-point span!
In regard to SAT section scores, once again few test takers scored the highest and lowest possible scores. To hit the 99th percentile on Reading and Writing, you'd have to score 760 or higher. But to do the same on Math, you'd need to earn a 790. As for the 1st percentile, Reading and Writing and Math maintain respective score ranges of 200-330 and 200-310.
SAT Scores by State
The percentage of high school students who took the SAT differed significantly by state. For example, in Mississippi and North Dakota, only 1% of students took the SAT. In contrast, 100% of students took the SAT in the District of Columbia, and 99% of students in Rhode Island. Kansas and Utah had the highest average total SAT scores, with mean scores of 1256 and 1230, respectively. New Mexico and West Virginia had the lowest average total SAT scores, with mean scores of 885 and 919, respectively.
Average SAT Scores by State, Graduating Class of 2024
| State | Average ERW Score | Average Math Score | Average Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 591 | 566 | 1157 |
| Alaska | 555 | 524 | 1079 |
| Arizona | 599 | 586 | 1185 |
| Arkansas | 612 | 575 | 1188 |
| California | 549 | 537 | 1086 |
| Colorado | 510 | 488 | 998 |
| Connecticut | 502 | 488 | 990 |
| Delaware | 484 | 464 | 948 |
| District of Columbia | 480 | 457 | 937 |
| Florida | 493 | 455 | 948 |
| … | … | … | … |
Average SAT Scores by School
Knowing the average SAT scores of enrollees at your top colleges can be helpful when it comes to setting goals. If you’ve already taken the SAT, you can see how your score compares to the typical scores at some of your top college choices to better understand where you stand in comparison to the previously admitted class.
Read also: Applying to Ole Miss: ACT Requirements
Colleges and universities around the country do publish this kind of information. So, while these aren't "minimum" SAT score requirements (very few colleges have published minimums), they do give you an idea of what the admissions officers expect SAT scores of prospective students to look like. On College Raptor, we publish the 25th and 75th percentile SAT scores for all colleges that report it, so you can see how your score stacks up. Keep in mind that, again, these are not truly "average" SAT scores. Instead, they show you how about half of the admitted students scored. Based on this data, you can see that 50% of all students score somewhere within this range.
Middle 50%
In terms of score ranges for colleges, each school has its own SAT score range, or middle 50%, to show the average range of SAT scores for incoming students. SAT score ranges tell you how high you must score on the SAT in order to be on par with (and better than) other applicants.
SAT Scores for Other Popular Schools
| School | SAT Score (25th-75th Percentile) |
|---|---|
| University of Chicago | 1510-1580 |
| Vanderbilt University | 1480-1570 |
| Stanford University | 1470-1570 |
| Duke University | 1468-1558 |
| Northwestern University | 1460-1560 |
| New York University | 1450-1570 |
| Emory University | 1420-1540 |
| Georgetown University | 1410-1550 |
| University of Notre Dame | 1410-1550 |
| University of Southern California | 1410-1540 |
| Boston University | 1360-1520 |
| Villanova University | 1350-1490 |
| University of Maryland, College Park | 1330-1510 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | 1310-1500 |
| University of Florida | 1300-1470 |
| University of Georgia | 1270-1450 |
| Ohio State University | 1250-1440 |
| University of Texas, Austin | 1230-1500 |
| Clemson University | 1220-1420 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | 1210-1410 |
| Purdue University | 1190-1430 |
| Texas A&M University, College Station | 1140-1380 |
| University of North Carolina | 1140-1380 |
| Pennsylvania State University | 1140-1360 |
Test-Optional Policies
Today, fewer colleges are requiring standardized test scores for admissions. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which schools closed and concerns emerged about whether students had adequate access to testing, colleges became more lax about their testing policies. In September 2019, before the pandemic, more than 1,700 colleges were test-optional. As of the 2024-2025 application cycle, however, many of them have reinstated their standardized test requirements. For the 2025-2026 application cycle, only Columbia University, Princeton University, and Cornell University remain test-optional.
SAT Score Demographics
Sometimes, it is helpful to see SAT scores broken down by specific groups to notice trends. This section explores average SAT scores by race/ethnicity, gender, first language, highest level of parental education, and family income.
Average SAT Score by Race/Ethnicity, 2024
| Race/Ethnicity | Percentage of Test-Takers | SAT ERW Average Score | SAT Math Average Score | Total Average SAT Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 1% | 449 | 432 | 881 |
| Asian | 10% | 599 | 629 | 1228 |
| Black/African American | 12% | 467 | 440 | 907 |
| Hispanic/Latino/a | 25% | 481 | 458 | 939 |
| Native Hawaiian/ Other Pacific Islander | 0% | 475 | 452 | 926 |
| White | 37% | 551 | 532 | 1083 |
| Two or More Races | 4% | 556 | 534 | 1090 |
| No Response | 12% | 477 | 471 | 949 |
Average SAT Score by Gender, 2024
| Gender | SAT ERW Average Score | SAT Math Average Score | Total Average SAT Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 522 | 496 | 1018 |
| Men | 516 | 514 | 1029 |
| Another/No Response | 556 | 511 | 1067 |
Average SAT Score by First Language Learned, 2024
| First Language Learned | Percentage of Test Takers | SAT ERW Average Score | SAT Math Average Score | Total Average SAT Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Only | 52% | 536 | 514 | 1050 |
| English and Another Language | 16% | 534 | 530 | 1064 |
| Another Language | 11% | 522 | 537 | 1060 |
| No Response | 20% | 461 | 444 | 905 |
Average SAT Score by Highest Level of Parental Education, 2024
| Parent’s Highest Level of Education Achieved | Percentage of Test Takers | SAT ERW Average Score | SAT Math Average Score | Total Average SAT Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No High School Diploma | 6% | 457 | 446 | 903 |
| High School Diploma | 19% | 491 | 470 | 961 |
| Associate Degree | 4% | 512 | 488 | 1001 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 24% | 560 | 548 | 1108 |
| Graduate Degree | 20% | 597 | 589 | 1186 |
| No Response | 26% | 457 | 440 | 897 |
Average SAT Score Based on Family Income Level, 2024
| Family Income Group | Yearly Income | Percentage of Test Takers | SAT ERW Average Score | SAT Math Average Score | Total Average SAT Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest Quintile (Lowest 20%) | $0-$55,667 | 10% | 455 | 431 | 887 |
| Second-Lowest Quintile | $55,668-$71,991 | 11% | 482 | 457 | 939 |
| Middle Quintile | $71,992-$89,465 | 13% | 502 | 479 | 981 |
| Second-Highest Quintile | $89,466-$117,609 | 17% | 530 | 509 | 1038 |
| Highest Quintile | At least $117,610 | 25% | 582 | 570 | 1152 |
| Unknown | 24% | 499 | 500 | 999 |
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. Understanding the average SAT scores nationally and at your potential colleges can help you set your own goals for the exam. You'll know what you have to shoot for. Which can give you the motivation you need to do better on the test.
Practical Strategies
- Set goals: Determine your target score by researching the 25th and 75th percentiles of accepted students at your potential colleges.
- Take practice tests: Practicing tests with time limits, breaks, and no cheating helps you prepare for the real deal. To see how you'll score on the SAT before you take the test and put your scores on your official record, take a free practice test and get your score report from The Princeton Review.
- Create a game plan: If you perform weak in the math section, you'll want to study the questions and principles you answered incorrectly.
- Use resources: Prepare for test day. Don't crunch the night before.
- Take the test more than once: Sit for the exam at least once during your junior year, and continue taking it in the coming months to improve your score. The organization that administers the SAT, College Board, recommends that students take the test at least twice because many schools “superscore” your results.
Beyond the Score: Holistic Admissions
College admissions officials typically take a holistic approach to reviewing applications. Standardized test scores are just one aspect of an application if they are considered at all. Remember: SAT scores are one of many parts of the application profile colleges view when deciding who to admit.
tags: #average #SAT #reading #score
