What is considered a decent SAT score nowadays?

I'm planning to take the SAT soon and I'm curious about what is considered a decent score. I've heard a lot of colleges went test-optional, but I’m still aiming to do well. Is there a score range that's considered solid or competitive? Like, how should I feel about getting, say a 1200 or a 1300 nowadays?

The average SAT score is typically around 1060, with 530 in Math and 530 in English. So if you score above this mean, you are already performing better than the average test taker. However, the definition of a "decent" or "competitive" score can vary depending on the colleges you are considering.

If you're looking at highly selective colleges, you'll generally want a score above 1450 to be considered competitive. Some elite institutions have median SAT scores in the high 1400s or even above 1500. For example, many Ivy League schools have average SAT scores well above 1450.

On the other hand, many state schools have average SAT scores that hover around 1100-1200. So a 1200 or 1300 could be competitive for these institutions, especially if you have a strong GPA and a solid lineup of extracurriculars.

Also, keep in mind that the redesigned digital SAT ranges from 400-1600, just like the old version, but it's divided into two 32-minute Reading and Writing modules and two 35-minute Math modules. One effect of these changes is that you actually have slightly more time per question — around 71 seconds per question on Reading and Writing and 96 seconds per question on Math.

Considering these factors, your target score should primarily depend on the average scores at the schools you're applying to. Set your goals based on those numbers, and remember, many schools are becoming increasingly test-optional, which means they focus more on grades, course rigor, and extracurricular accomplishments rather than just test scores.