Hey everyone! I'm just beginning my college application journey and wanted to know: what's an 'average' SAT score these days? I'd like a ballpark range to aim for so I can know where I stand. Thanks in advance!
As of 2024, the SAT is scored out of a maximum of 1600 points. The national average SAT score currently sits at around 1060. This is calculated across both the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section and the Math section, each of which is scored out of 800 points.
However, the 'average' that is relevant to you really depends on what schools you're interested in. Each university has its own 'average' SAT score of admitted students. The most competitive colleges often have average SAT scores well into the 1400s. Meanwhile, less competitive schools may have averages closer to the national average.
Keep in mind that, while testing is important, it's just one part of your application. Colleges consider many other factors, including your GPA, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and personal essays.
So, before setting a target SAT score, you should do some research to figure out what scores are typically accepted by the colleges or types of colleges you're interested in. Once you have that information, you can set a realistic goal for your SAT studying. Make sure to study smarter, not just harder, and use practice questions from Official SAT practice tests to familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions you'll encounter.
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