What Is Considered a Good SAT Score in 2025?

As you prepare for the SAT and think about college admissions, you’re probably asking yourself: What’s a good SAT score for 2025? Does the definition of a “good” score change from year to year, or does it stay about the same? In this article, we’ll examine how average SAT scores and percentiles for 2025 compare to those from past years, and explore several ways to determine what a good SAT score is for you.

1. Do "Good" SAT Scores Change from Year to Year?

The short answer is: not much. While there can be minor fluctuations in average scores from year to year due to a variety of factors, the benchmarks for strong SAT performance have remained remarkably consistent. Let’s take a closer look at the available data to see what has actually happened in recent testing years.

A. SAT Average Scores: 2017–2024

Below is the compiled data for average SAT scores from 2017 through 2024, broken down by Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW), Math, and the combined total.

Looking at these numbers, it’s clear that the national averages have stayed within a relatively tight range over the past several years. Total scores have hovered around 1050–1060 from 2017 to 2021. However, in 2022 there is a slight drop, and from 2023 onward the average total falls below 1030. While this drop isn’t drastic, it’s noticeable compared to previous years.

A few factors may contribute to this trend. The lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as remote learning and test center closures, may have affected student preparation and performance. Additionally, the transition to the digital SAT format is still recent and could be another reason for small changes. Regardless of the cause, the change in averages is not dramatic—good SAT scores remain fairly consistent over time.

2. Understanding SAT Score Percentiles

Besides average scores, another important indicator of how your performance compares nationally is SAT percentiles. Percentiles show what percentage of test-takers scored at or below a certain score. Examining these figures over recent years gives us a deeper understanding of performance stability.

Here are SAT percentile cutoffs for the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles from 2017 to 2024:

Reviewing these percentiles, one can see just how steady the SAT score landscape has been. The 75th and 90th percentile cutoffs—marks that often define “good” or “excellent” performance—move at most by 20–40 points over the entire seven-year span. At the 90th percentile, for example, the scores increase slightly from 1320–1330 in 2017 to around 1360 in 2024. But for most students, these changes are not significant enough to alter what counts as a competitive score.

3. How to Define a Good SAT Score for 2025

Now that we’ve looked at national data, how do you decide what is a “good” score for you? In 2025, there are three main approaches you can use, each offering a different lens through which to view your SAT results.

A. Comparing Your Score Against the National Average

One simple method is to use the national average (mean) as a benchmark. In 2024, the average SAT score is 1024. If you score above this, you’ve done better than about half of all test-takers nationwide. For many students, meeting or exceeding this mark is an indication of solid performance.

B. Considering SAT Percentiles

Percentiles provide a more detailed picture. In general terms:

A score in the 50th percentile (around 1030) means you’re at the national median—right in the middle.

The 75th percentile (approximately 1200) shows you’ve performed better than three-quarters of all test-takers, which is considered a strong score.

Reaching the 90th percentile (about 1360) means you're among the top 10% of SAT takers, which is generally excellent by any standard.

These percentiles remain quite stable from year to year, so you can rely on them to assess your relative standing.

C. Focusing on Your College Admissions Goals

This is the most crucial approach for most students. Instead of only thinking about the average or percentile, look up the SAT score ranges for each college to which you plan to apply. Most colleges publish the middle 50% range (25th–75th percentile) of SAT scores for admitted students.

To give yourself the best chance, target a score at or above the highest 75th percentile number among your chosen schools. That score should become your personal SAT goal—your “good” score—because it maximizes your competitiveness at your dream colleges.

4. What’s the Outlook for SAT Scores in the Near Future?

While it's hard to make absolute predictions about future SAT score distributions, patterns from the past seven years suggest stability will continue. Unless there are sweeping changes to the SAT’s structure, or significant external events that affect student preparedness, most experts expect the definitions of “good,” “average,” and “excellent” scores to remain where they are.

With test-optional policies still in place at many schools and the new digital SAT format, the national averages could adjust slightly, but the change is unlikely to revolutionize the landscape. If you set your benchmarks using the most recent available data, you won’t go wrong.

Summary: What’s a Good SAT Score for 2025?

To sum up, there are three strategies to define a good SAT score in 2025:

National Average Approach: Any score above the national average (currently 1024) is a strong result compared to most students.

Percentile Rankings: Median scores (1030) are typical; scores around the 75th percentile (1200) are considered good; and scores at the 90th percentile (1360) are excellent.

College-Specific Standards (Most Important): Research each of your target schools and use their 75th percentile SAT score to set your personal goal. This ensures you’re preparing for what truly matters most for your college admissions.

As always, knowing what score you should aim for is the first big step—then you can build an effective study plan to achieve your SAT goals. Remember, while data and percentiles provide a useful map, the best score is the one that opens the doors you dream of!