The definition of a "good" SAT score is tough to pinpoint. It depends significantly on the types of colleges you're looking at and how much you've improved from your baseline scores.
The infographic in this article will go through statistics on the national level and at different colleges to give you a better sense of what a good score might mean for you. This data should help you to see your score from a more informed perspective and decide whether you need to keep working on it to make improvements.
As you can see, what a "good" SAT score means for you will depend heavily on the selectivity of the colleges where you plan on applying. Although the national average is around a 1500, you might need to score much higher than that to get into an extremely competitive school.
For Brown, the 75th percentile SAT score for admitted students was a 2310. If you wanted to have a strong chance of being accepted, you would need to shoot for close to a perfect score. In this case, a "good" score for you might be around a 2300.
For Texas A&M Kingsville, on the other hand, the 75th percentile SAT score for admitted students was a 1470. If you were interested in this school, you would have a strong chance of being accepted with a score that was on par with the national average of a 1500.
You can find similar data on average scores for any colleges that interest you by using the method in the last section of the infographic. In general, your goal should be to reach or surpass the 75th percentile score. Even if your score seems good enough now to get into some colleges that you like, it's important to understand that raising your score a couple hundred points will give you a lot more options in the application process.
This is especially true if you're currently scoring in the 1400-1500 range. You can see on the graph in the second section of the infographic that there is a big jump in the number of schools you can get into with a 1600 versus a 1400. A two hundred point gain is achievable for any student with some practice, and it could make a huge difference in your opportunities for college. Higher scores will empower you to consider a wider range of schools and find one that suits you perfectly!
What's Next?
Are you wondering how this advice translates to the new SAT? Learn more about what a good target score on the new 2016 SAT might look like for you.
If you're working on submitting scores to colleges already, read these articles to find out how to send your scores and navigate your options for score choice.
If you're currently preparing for the SAT, you should take a look at our guides that will give you helpful strategies for improving your Math, Critical Reading, and Writing scores.
