Enter your section scores to calculate your total SAT score and see what percentile you're in. Based on College Board scoring scales.
The SAT has two sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math. Each section is scored 200–800, for a combined total of 400–1600. The national average is approximately 1010. There is no penalty for wrong answers — always fill in every question.
| Score | Percentile | Score | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1600 | 99th+ | 1100 | 58th |
| 1500 | 98th | 1000 | 40th |
| 1400 | 94th | 900 | 25th |
| 1300 | 87th | 800 | 10th |
| 1200 | 74th | 700 | 3rd |
Competitiveness depends entirely on your target schools. For broad college access, 1000 or above is a reasonable baseline. For selective schools, 1300 or above is generally competitive. For highly selective schools in the top 25 nationally, the middle 50% of admitted students typically falls between 1450 and 1570.
The most reliable benchmark: look up the middle 50% score range (25th–75th percentile) for each school you're applying to. This is published on every college's Common Data Set. If your score falls in the middle 50%, you're competitive on this metric.
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW): Combines a Reading Test (52 questions) and a Writing and Language Test (44 questions). Covers reading comprehension across literature, history, social studies, and science passages, plus grammar and rhetorical editing. Strong readers with solid grammar typically score higher on this section.
Math: Covers algebra, problem solving, data analysis, and some advanced topics (passport to advanced math, geometry, trigonometry). A calculator is permitted for most — but not all — Math questions. STEM-focused programs and engineering schools often weigh this section heavily.
If one section is significantly lower, targeted prep there produces the fastest composite gains. A student at 650 Math / 700 EBRW (1350 total) who improves Math to 720 reaches a 1420 — the same gain that would take much more work on the EBRW side.
Every accredited college publishes a Common Data Set (CDS) each year with detailed admissions statistics, including the 25th and 75th percentile SAT scores for enrolled students. Searching "[school name] Common Data Set" finds it. If your score is above the 75th percentile for a school, you're well-positioned on test scores. If it's below the 25th percentile, test scores are working against you at that school.
Both are accepted equally by essentially all U.S. colleges. The SAT emphasizes reading comprehension, data interpretation, and extended math problems. The ACT includes a dedicated Science section and moves at a faster pace. Taking a free practice test for each is the most reliable way to determine which format plays to your strengths — many students score meaningfully higher on one than the other.
Every accredited college publishes a Common Data Set (CDS) annually with detailed admissions statistics, including the 25th and 75th percentile SAT scores for enrolled students. Searching "[school name] Common Data Set" finds it. If your score is above the 75th percentile, you are well-positioned on test scores at that school. If it is below the 25th percentile, test scores are working against you and other parts of your application need to compensate.
If one section is significantly lower than the other, targeted improvement on the weaker section produces the fastest composite gains. A student scoring 700 EBRW / 590 Math (1290 total) who improves Math to 680 reaches 1380 — the same 90-point gain that would require much more work across both sections simultaneously. Identify your weaker section and focus there first. For EBRW improvement, reading speed and comprehension practice matter most. For Math, drilling the specific question types you miss most frequently is more efficient than comprehensive review.
ACT Score Calculator — calculate your ACT composite and percentile.
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