What Is the Average SAT Score in 2026?
The national average SAT score for the 2025–2026 testing year is approximately 1050 out of 1600. This figure has stayed remarkably stable since the SAT moved to its digital, adaptive format, because College Board uses a process called equating to keep scores comparable across years and test dates.
The average composite breaks down roughly as:
- Reading & Writing: ~530 (out of 800)
- Math: ~520 (out of 800)
If your total is above 1050, you have already outperformed more than half of all test-takers nationwide.
Average SAT Score by Section
| Section | Score Range | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Reading & Writing | 200–800 | ~530 |
| Math | 200–800 | ~520 |
| Total (Composite) | 400–1600 | ~1050 |
Average vs. Above Average: Where Does Your Score Fall?
The average score of ~1050 lines up closely with the 50th percentile — the median test-taker. Use the chart below to see how far above (or below) average a given score is:
| SAT Score | Percentile | vs. Average (1050) |
|---|---|---|
| 1400 | 94th | +350 — Well above average |
| 1300 | 86th | +250 — Above average |
| 1200 | 75th | +150 — Above average |
| 1100 | 59th | +50 — Slightly above average |
| 1050 | 50th | Exactly average |
| 950 | 31st | −100 — Below average |
| 850 | 17th | −200 — Well below average |
Percentiles are based on the latest College Board data for college-bound students and may shift slightly year to year. For a precise lookup, use our SAT percentile calculator.
Average SAT Score by College Type
The national average is useful context, but the average score that matters is the one at the colleges you're targeting. Selective schools report admitted-student averages far above 1050:
| College Tier | Average Admitted SAT |
|---|---|
| Ivy League / Top 10 | 1500–1560 |
| Top 20 | 1450–1540 |
| Top 50 | 1350–1480 |
| State Flagships | 1150–1320 |
| Open / Moderate Admissions | 950–1150 |
Why the Average Stays Around 1050
The SAT is not graded on a simple curve against the people who took it on your test date. Instead, College Board equates every form so that a given scaled score reflects the same ability level regardless of which test you took. The Digital SAT adds Item Response Theory (IRT), where each question carries its own difficulty weight. Together these processes keep the national mean stable near 1050 year after year. Learn more in our guide on how the Digital SAT is scored.
Is Above Average "Good Enough"?
Being above the national average is a real accomplishment, but "good" is always relative to your goals. A 1200 is excellent for many state universities yet below the typical range at top-50 schools. For a full breakdown by college tier and scholarship eligibility, see our guide on what is a good SAT score, or check the typical SAT score ranges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average SAT score in 2026?
The national average SAT score for the 2025–2026 cycle is approximately 1050 out of 1600 — roughly 530 in Reading & Writing and 520 in Math. Any score above 1050 is above the national average.
Is the average SAT score the same as a 50th percentile score?
Roughly, yes. The average of about 1050 corresponds closely to the 50th percentile (the median), meaning a 1050 scorer performs better than about half of all test-takers.
Is a 1200 above the average SAT score?
Yes. A 1200 is about 150 points above the national average of 1050 and lands near the 75th percentile — a solidly above-average, competitive score for many four-year colleges.
What is the average SAT score for college admissions?
It depends on the college. The national average is about 1050, but selective universities average 1400+, top-20 schools average 1450–1550, and Ivy League admits average 1500+. Always compare against your specific target schools.