SAT scores range from 400 to 1600. The test has two sections, Reading and Writing and Math, each scored on a 200 to 800 scale. Those two section scores are added together for your total. This scale applies to the current digital SAT, unchanged from the paper version it replaced.
How the Two Sections Are Scored
The Reading and Writing section and the Math section each produce a score between 200 and 800. A student who answers very few questions correctly will still receive a 200 on each section (400 total), because 200 is the floor. A perfect performance on both sections yields 800 plus 800, or 1600.
Your raw score, meaning the number of questions you answer correctly, is converted into the 200 to 800 scale through a process called equating. This adjustment accounts for slight differences in difficulty between test forms, so a 600 on one test date represents the same level of ability as a 600 on another. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so every question is worth attempting.
What Counts as an Average Score
The national average SAT score falls right around 1010. That figure represents the 50th percentile, meaning half of all test takers score above it and half score below. If you score a 1010, you are squarely in the middle of the pack.
A score of roughly 1160 to 1190 puts you near the 75th percentile, meaning you outperformed about three out of four students. Reaching 1490 or above lands you at the 99th percentile nationally, a level that places you among the top 1% of all test takers. Scores of 1550 and above push into the very top of that 99th percentile tier.
College Readiness Benchmarks
The College Board sets specific section scores it considers markers of college and career readiness. For Reading and Writing, that benchmark is 480. For Math, it is 530. Meeting both benchmarks (which adds up to a minimum total of 1010) signals that a student is likely prepared for introductory college-level coursework without needing remedial classes. Falling below either benchmark does not disqualify you from college admission, but it may mean you need additional preparation in that subject area.
How Colleges Use Score Ranges
Most colleges publish the “middle 50%” SAT range of their admitted students. This is the band between the 25th and 75th percentile scores of the incoming class. If a school reports a middle 50% of 1250 to 1420, that means a quarter of admitted students scored below 1250 and a quarter scored above 1420.
These ranges vary widely by institution. Highly selective universities often have middle 50% ranges starting above 1400, while many public universities and less selective schools admit large numbers of students with scores in the 900 to 1100 range. Scoring within or above a school’s middle 50% strengthens your application, but landing below it does not automatically rule you out, since admissions offices weigh grades, essays, activities, and other factors alongside test scores.
Score Increments and Reporting
Section scores move in increments of 10 points. You will never see a section score of, say, 635; it would be either 630 or 640. That means total scores also move in multiples of 10, from 400 to 1600. When you receive your score report, you will see each section score, your total, and percentile rankings that show where you stand compared to other test takers nationally.
The College Board also provides subscores and cross-test scores that break performance into more specific skill areas, but the two section scores and the total are the numbers colleges care about most. Those are the figures you will self-report on applications and that schools include in their published admissions data.
What Score You Should Aim For
Your target score depends entirely on where you plan to apply. A 1010 is average nationally, but average is competitive enough for many colleges. If you are aiming for selective schools, a score in the 1300 to 1500 range typically puts you in strong contention. For the most competitive programs in the country, you generally want to be above 1500.
A practical approach is to look up the middle 50% range for each school on your list, then set your target at or above the 75th percentile score for your top-choice school. That gives you a comfortable margin and ensures your SAT score is working in your favor rather than holding your application back.