SAT/ACT
What Is a Good SAT Score for US Universities?
A good SAT score depends on your target colleges. Learn SAT score range, middle 50 percent ranges, and how to set a target score.
By Oxbrivy Editorial Team. Reviewed by Oxbrivy study-abroad testing desk.
Quick answer
A good SAT score is one that is competitive for your target colleges. SAT total scores range from 400 to 1600.
Key takeaways
- A good SAT score is one that is competitive for your target colleges. SAT total scores range from 400 to 1600.
- College Board says students should set a target score based on college score ranges. Use the middle 50 percent range for admitted or enrolled students.
- If your SAT is:
- Below the 25th percentile: score may be weak for that college. Within the range: score is generally competitive. Above the 75th percentile: score is usually strong.
- Use Oxbrivy Admit Probability Engine to compare your SAT score by university and major.
Oxbrivy practical ranking
Use this as a starting point, then personalise it with your budget, profile, and course.
College testing policy
Best for: Checking whether each college is test required, optional, preferred, flexible, or blind.
Watch out: Old test-optional lists can be wrong for the 2026 cycle.
Score value
Best for: Comparing SAT or ACT scores with each college's middle 50 percent range.
Watch out: A score is only good or weak in relation to a target college, program, and scholarship rule.
Deadline strategy
Best for: Planning attempts, retakes, superscore use, and score-sending before ED, EA, RD, and scholarship deadlines.
Watch out: Retaking without a real payoff can steal time from grades, essays, and applications.
Quick answer
A good SAT score is one that is competitive for your target colleges. SAT total scores range from 400 to 1600.
Expanded answer
College Board says students should set a target score based on college score ranges. Use the middle 50 percent range for admitted or enrolled students.
If your SAT is:
Below the 25th percentile: score may be weak for that college. Within the range: score is generally competitive. Above the 75th percentile: score is usually strong.
But no score guarantees admission.
How Oxbrivy helps
Use Oxbrivy Admit Probability Engine to compare your SAT score by university and major.
Mini FAQ
Is 1200 a good SAT score? Good for some colleges, low for others. Is 1500 enough for Ivy League? Strong, but not a guarantee. Should I chase 1600? Only if realistic and not harming the rest of your application.
Sources and review note
This public guide is intended for student education. Visa, fee, scholarship, and work-rights rules can change quickly, so Oxbrivy verifies current official sources before giving personalised advice.
- ACT test-optional admissions guide
- College Board BigFuture colleges that require SAT or ACT
- College Board BigFuture why take the SAT
- College Board BigFuture good SAT score guidance
- College Board SAT structure
- College Board SAT score meaning
- College Board SAT target score guidance
- College Board SAT retake guidance
- College Board SAT preparation guidance
- College Board Bluebook practice tests
- ACT enhancements for non-US students
- ACT understanding scores
- ACT college readiness benchmarks
- ACT national ranks and percentiles
- ACT retake guidance
- ACT when to take the ACT
- ACT free test prep
- Harvard standardized testing requirements
- Brown standardized testing requirements
- Stanford standardized testing requirements
- Dartmouth testing requirement announcement
- Google Search Central helpful content guidance
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