Average SAT Score

SAT tests are generally scored from 400 to 1600 where 1600 makes a perfect score. It has two sections, namely, Evidence-based Reading and Writing, and Mathematics each of which is marked within the range of 200 to 800. A score report will contain a lot of information and numbers that have to be figured out in order to understand the report. It usually contains mean scores, percentiles, and even benchmarks with sub-scores and cross-test scores all of which enable a college/university to judge the candidate's readiness for higher studies. But it should be understood that this "figuring out" is necessary because there is no particular passing score and hence averages with regard to state, top universities, public schools, etc. matter in determining the scope for admission.

Determining if the SAT Score is Good.

Calculating Average SAT Score

The average SAT score is determined by adding individual scores of students who attempted the test and then dividing it with the number of examinees who took the test. On a National Level, in 2020, this average was 1051. And according to specific sections, it was 528 for the Evidence-based Reading section and 523 for the Math section. As is evident, the averages of specific sections are nearly the same and that emphasizes the similarities in difficulty levels between sections and the level at which marks can be obtained.

While considering national SAT score averages, tracing it backward for at least 3 years gives an idea of how the average varies and how this can reflect into the next test as well. In 2019, the average score was 1059 with a 531 for ERW and 528 for Math. As for the year 2018, the national average was 1068 with 536 for ERW and 531 for Math. The graph then shows a steady decline in the national averages which can be due to an increase in the difficulty level of the test or a decrease in the number of people who are taking the test.

SAT Score Percentiles

When national SAT score averages provide a distinct idea of how the grades have been declining, it generally leaves the option for speculating the reasons behind the same. This is where one should understand the importance of national percentiles. Percentiles are calculated to give candidates an idea of where they stand in relation to all the test takers who attempted alongside them. It ranges from 1 to 99 and a higher percentile implies a better performance in the test.

The two percentiles that are available in the score report is the nationally representative sample percentile and the SAT user percentile. Here, the sample percentile reflects the percentile that the candidate would have received if all high school graduating students had taken the test. Considering that a lot of students do not attempt the test, the College Board estimates their percentile and then provides one with the sample percentile. On the other hand, the user percentile reflects on the actual position the candidate is in after comparing them to the test takers.

If the candidate received a 65 as their user percentile, it means that they have scored better than 65% of the people who attempted the test. Thus, comparing percentiles and prior knowledge about percentiles of students accepted into universities will be helpful in estimating one’s target score.

Average SAT Score by State

Average SAT scores are calculated according to States and are generally awarded State SAT Awards. These awards are based on certain categories like Highest SAT Score, Team Players with 100 Participation, Highest SAT Score with over 20% Participation, Lowest SAT Score, and Most Variation Between SAT Sections.

In the year 2020, the highest score was recorded in Minnesota with an SAT score of 1257. Since the National average is 1051, this score is 206 points higher. But the factors that have to be considered is that the participation rate for the exam is extremely low in this State and so only very ambitious students who have been preparing for SAT probably for years attempt the test. This creates a significant increase in the average they achieve.

The State that got the award for having the highest score with around 29% participation in the year 2020 in Arizona. The average SAT score here is 1139 which is again considerably higher than the national average. The States like Colorado, Delaware, DC, Florida, Rhode Island, etc. on the other hand, has a 100% participation rate which mostly implies that the high schools in these places have made SAT mandatory. Among these places, only Florida had a 100% participation rate without the test being mandatory.

The lowest score among all the states was received by West Virginia which was 936. Since taking SAT is mandatory here, the fairest conclusion will be that students who do not wish to pursue their education are also forced to take the test without a purpose thereby causing a decline in the overall average calculated.

The State that showed the highest variation between sections was Florida where students on average got 479 in Math and a 512 for Evidence-based Reading and Writing. Considering the participation level in Florida this discrepancy stands out more than most other States.

Average SAT Score in Top Universities

National averages and State averages are good enough facts to learn about, but having prior knowledge about them does not really increase one's chances of entering into their desired college. Here, what will be necessary is the skill to identify a target score for preparing for the exam. This target score should be based on the 25th and 75th percentiles of the colleges the candidate is aiming to apply for. A table has been provided below-containing information regarding the percentiles of various top universities. The general information that has been accumulated here can be used to create a target score that can be aimed for during test preparation.

University/College	Reading / Writing 25 percentile	Reading / Writing 75 percentile	Math 25 percentile	Math 75 percentile
Harvard University	720	780	740	800
California Institute of Technology	750	800	780	800
Yale University	745	770	770	800
University of Chicago	745	770	775	800
Rice University	730	760	775	800
Johns Hopkins University	735	760	770	800
Vanderbilt University	730	760	775	800
Washington University in St Louis	740	770	780	800
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	730	780	790	800
Carnegie Mellon University	700	750	750	800
Williams College	710	760	700	790
Brown University	730	760	755	790
Columbia University in the City of New York	710	760	740	800
Princeton University	740	770	765	800
Amherst College	660	750	670	780
Dartmouth College	740	770	760	790
University of Pennsylvania	690	760	730	790
Northwestern University	730	760	765	790
Cornell University	680	750	710	790
Duke University	710	770	710	790
Swarthmore College	680	760	700	790
Stanford University	700	770	720	800
Tufts University	700	760	710	780
Emory University	660	730	690	790
Wellesley College	670	740	660	780
Pomona College	700	760	700	780
Carleton College	670	750	680	780
Northeastern University	670	750	690	790
Grinnell College	640	740	670	770
Claremont McKenna College	660	740	680	770
University of Southern California	660	740	690	790
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	660	730	670	780
Georgetown University	715	750	735	780
Middlebury College	710	750	735	780
Barnard College	670	760	670	740
University of California-Los Angeles	620	710	600	740
Davidson College	682	720	690	730
United States Military Academy	585	690	600	710
United States Air Force Academy	600	690	610	700

It should be understood while perusing the table that the 75th percentile denotes the score that made those students outperform 75% of the students who took the test. Ideally, one should aim for a score higher than the 75th percentile and otherwise one should aim for a score nearly the same in order to be able to get admission to that particular college/university.

But this doesn't mean that a high SAT score is sufficient to procure a college seat. Perfect SAT scores have still been rejected by universities if the other parts of the application appear weak. In other words, even if one’s SAT score is below average, with great letters of recommendation and an exemplary college application, they will be able to get the seat that they desire.

SAT Scores-General Information

Reading the score report may require extra learning. The report will have red/yellow/green symbols next to the section scores. This shows the candidate’s readiness for going to college/university after they graduate. And obviously, only the green symbol conveys that the candidate is ready for college. The yellow depicts the idea that more work has to be put in whereas the red conveys the message that they are not quite ready for stepping into higher education as of now. Do NOT take the report as a fact since it is not an IQ test but only reflects the amount of information that has been retained from school.

There will be a score range in the report portraying how the score can vary upon retaking the test at multiple periods in time. Colleges, therefore, look at the score range instead of the exact score to understand the candidate’s skills better than relying on a one-time test score entirely.

The score that one will mostly receive before graduation will be a clear indicator of skills that can be improved and skills that they already excel in. Taking the test earlier helps the candidate and their teacher understand their weak points and work on them to eventually take a retest or to balance their profile with other aspects.

Find out more from SAT FAQs.