Hi everyone, I've started preparing for my SATs and I'm specifically worried about the Math section. I was wondering what's considered a good score in this section if I'm targeting top colleges?
You are certainly right to be strategic about your SAT preparation, and getting a high score in the Mathematics section can strengthen your application to top colleges.
An SAT Math score of 750 or above would be considered good for most top colleges. Achieving this score places you close to or in the 99th percentile—meaning you've outperformed almost all test takers.
However, if you're aiming for the absolute top schools—think Ivy Leagues or Stanford—a perfect or nearly perfect score, so 780 or above, would be considered more competitive, as many admitted students to these colleges do achieve this.
Keep in mind these schools are very competitive, and academics represent only one piece of your application. So achieving these scores won't guarantee admission, but it can help your chances.
That said, each college has its own standards and they don't always publish them, but you can get a rough idea by looking at the middle 50% SAT scores of previously admitted applicants. This will give you a realistic understanding of the score range accepted at these colleges.
In your test preparation, make sure to practice regularly, and also focus on balancing accuracy with speed. Good luck with your studying!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.