"Good" is the wrong first question. A 1400 is spectacular for one student's list and below the median for another's. The right way to set a target is to work backward from the colleges you actually want — but percentiles give you the map. Here's both.
The national picture: SAT percentiles
Your score comes with a percentile that tells you what share of test-takers you scored above. Roughly:
| Total score | Approx. percentile | Read it as |
|---|---|---|
| 1600 | 99th | Perfect |
| 1500 | ~98th | Top 1–2% |
| 1400 | ~94th | Top ~6% |
| 1350 | ~91st | Top 10% |
| 1200 | ~74th | Top quartile |
| 1050 | ~50th | National average |
Percentiles are approximate and shift slightly year to year; College Board publishes the official tables.
What "good" means by college tier
The number that actually matters for admissions is each school's middle-50% range — the SAT scores of the middle half of admitted students (25th to 75th percentile). If your score is at or above the 75th-percentile end, you're in strong shape on the test dimension. Typical ranges by selectivity:
| College tier | Typical middle-50% SAT | Aim for |
|---|---|---|
| Most selective (Ivy+, MIT, Stanford) | ~1500–1580 | 1550+ |
| Highly selective | ~1400–1520 | 1500+ |
| Selective / strong state flagships | ~1250–1420 | 1400+ |
| Many good state universities | ~1120–1340 | 1300+ |
Illustrative tiers only. Every school publishes its own numbers — always check the most recent figures for your specific list before setting a goal.
Make your college list, look up each school's middle-50% SAT range (in its Common Data Set or admissions page), and set your goal at or just above the 75th-percentile number of your most selective realistic target. That single number becomes the score your whole prep plan aims at.
Three things that change the answer
- Test-optional policies. Many schools are test-optional, but a strong score still helps — and at test-optional schools, submitted scores tend to skew high, which pushes the reported middle-50% upward. If your score is at or above a school's range, submit it.
- Superscoring. Most colleges take your best Math and best Reading & Writing across dates. That means a second (or third) attempt can only help your superscore — a strong argument for testing more than once. More on this in how the digital SAT is scored.
- Your intended major. STEM and quantitative programs weigh the Math section more heavily, so a lopsided-but-high Math score can matter more than a balanced total. For most students, Math is also the fastest section to raise.
So — what should you aim for?
A quick rule of thumb, in the absence of a finalized list:
- 1500+ keeps every door open, including the most selective schools.
- 1350–1450 is competitive for a wide band of excellent colleges.
- 1200–1300 is a strong, well-above-average score that fits many good universities.
Wherever you're starting, the path is the same: find your baseline, set a target from your list, and close the gap methodically. A focused prep window commonly moves students 70–150 points — often enough to cross into a new tier.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good SAT score?
Above ~1050 is above the national average; 1200+ is roughly top quartile, 1350+ about top 10%, and 1500+ top 1–2%. Ultimately, a good score is at or above the middle-50% range of your target colleges.
What SAT score do I need for an Ivy League school?
The most selective universities report middle-50% ranges around 1500–1580, so aim for roughly 1550+. Always check each school's most recent published data.
Is 1200 a good SAT score?
Yes — it's around the 75th percentile nationally and competitive for many good colleges. Whether it's enough depends on your specific target list.