Two years into a pandemic that changed the testing industry, what is a good SAT score in 2022?
In this post, we’ll refresh you on the basics of how the SAT is scored and walk you through what makes up a good SAT score in 2022.
How is the SAT Scored?
We’ll keep this quick: your total SAT score is formed by adding up your two section scores, Reading and Writing and Math, which are scored out of 200-800. Your total score is on a scale of 400-1600.
You can read more in detail about how the SAT is scored here.
What is the Average SAT Score in 2024?
Generally, any score above average is a “good score!” However, what that average is depends on the school you’re applying to. (We’ll talk more about this later in the post).
In 2022–the most recent publicly available data–the average SAT score was 1050. The average math score is 521, and the average Reading and Writing score was 529.
(Because the odds are so small and hard to control, this is just our friendly reminder that if you’re scoring really high on the SAT (like 1450 or above), then it’s really more strategic to focus on other aspects of your application, like the essays, than it is to focus your efforts on getting a 1600 on the SAT, although this advice may not apply to your particular case if you’re shooting for highly selective schools!)
That being said, the higher your SAT score is, the more competitive an applicant you will be. Take a look at the 2021 SAT score percentiles:
2023 Score Percentiles
| Percentile | Total Score | RW Score | Math Score |
| 90% | 1350 | 680 RW | 690 Math |
| 75% | 1200 | 610 RW | 590 Math |
| 50% | 1030 | 520 RW | 520 Math |
| 25% | 870 | 440 RW | 420 Math |
We see from this table that you can score a 1350 and be in the top 10% of scorers! Furthermore, scoring a 1200 sets you above 75% of SAT test-takers.
What SAT Score Do I Need to Get into a Highly Selective School?
It’s no secret that the most highly selective schools in the US have really high test score expectations. In fact, the average SAT section scores for a Yale student are 740-760 on the RW section and 780-800 on the Math section. (Although, remember that for several years now, not every student has submitted scores, so since Yale has now gone back to requiring scores, this number is likely to go down slightly.)
The most accurate way to determine what SAT score to aim for is to visit the school’s admissions page. See if they have information about the average test scores of admitted students and the expectations around standardized test scores. It’s best to go straight to the source for this information. If you can’t find it there, try searching for the school’s Common Data Set–it’s a great source of information about students who were enrolled and admitted, and will have this data in Section C.
There’s no denying that test scores are important, especially when applying to a highly selective school. But remember, your SAT score is just one part of the college admissions equation. Don’t forget about the role your grades, extracurriculars, and personal essays play in completing your college application – these factors can supplement a lower SAT score.
What is a Good SAT Score for ME?
This is the most important section of this blog post! How do you determine what a great SAT score is for you, specifically?
Well, you need to look at the average SAT scores of students admitted to the schools you are interested in attending. A good SAT score for you is a score that matches or exceeds these averages.
How to Find Your Goal SAT Score
To figure out the average scores for the schools you’re interested in, you’ll need 3 things: a list of colleges you are interested in attending, internet access, and a note-taking device.
Once you have your list of colleges, take to the internet and find each college’s admissions page or their “freshman statistics” page. They will usually list their average SAT scores. Write down the highest and lowest score they list.
*If you can’t find this information on a college’s website, search for the school’s Common Data Set, which contains this information in Section C.
Here are some examples we found:
University of Michigan Ann Arbor: 1350-1500
Boston University 1370-1480
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: 1350-1500
North Carolina State University: 1270-1410
The lowest score on the list is 1270, and the highest is 1500. However, you also need to take into account that scores for public schools (like UNC, NC State, and U- Michigan) are going to be skewed, because in-state students can get in more easily, including with lower test scores.)
So if you’re looking at these colleges, and you’re not a state resident, then your goal SAT score should adjust accordingly. Aiming for a 1400-1450 puts you in the score range for every school, bolstering what is surely a fabulous admission application of well-written essays, a good GPA, and a few meaningful extracurriculars!
If you have no idea what college you want to go to, then aim for just above average. Any score above 1100 will probably help you get into a good school. Once you narrow your list of college options, you can tailor your scoring goal to those schools.
What is a Good SAT Score for Test-Optional Schools?
Test-optional schools do not require an SAT or ACT score to complete your application. Many universities implemented test-optional admissions policies for students applying in 2020 and 2021. Should you submit your SAT score to these schools? If yes, what’s a good score for test-optional schools?
Colleges are Going Test Optional; Should I Still Take the SAT?
If you had the opportunity to take the SAT, and you feel like your score represents you well academically, you should submit your SAT score to a test-optional school. Submitting your score will provide a more complete picture of you as a student and give admissions officers more to review when considering your admission. Additionally, many schools admit more students with test scores than without, particularly if you’re not within an underrepresented demographic or geographic area that would add something new to their freshman class.
Submitting your score will provide a more complete picture of you as a student and give admissions officers more to review when considering your admission.
The means of determining a good SAT score for a non-test-optional university applies to test-optional schools, too. Go to the school’s freshman admissions page and see if they have the average SAT scores of admitted freshmen listed. Your goal SAT score is at or above this average score. If you can’t find student SAT information on the college’s website, websites like Niche.com provide this information as well.
Test Optional School, Not Test Blind; 3 Ways to Boost Your Score
How Do I Reach My Goal SAT Score?
Now that you know what is a good SAT score in 2024 and your personal goal SAT score, how do you reach your goal? Practice! But not just any practice – efficient practice. Don’t waste your time will hundreds of practice problems that may not be helping at all. Olive Book’s online, self-paced SAT course takes you from day one to test day. It’s all you need to study for the SAT – really. Learn more about the course (and our improvement guarantee) at www.olive-book.com.
