Understanding SAT percentiles helps you set realistic goals and target the right colleges. Here's a complete breakdown.
Your SAT score tells colleges where you rank among all test-takers nationally. Understanding percentiles is essential for setting realistic goals and making informed decisions about your college applications.
2026 SAT Score Percentiles
- 1550-1600 (99th percentile): Top 1%, competitive for Ivy League
- 1500 (98th percentile): Highly competitive for top-20 schools
- 1400 (94th percentile): Competitive for top-50 universities
- 1300 (86th percentile): Above average, strong for most selective schools
- 1200 (74th percentile): Solid score for many state universities
- 1050 (50th percentile): Average score nationally
- 900 (25th percentile): Below average
Setting Your Target Score
Don't aim for a generic 'good' score — aim for the score that's right for your target schools. Look up the middle 50% SAT range for each college on your list and aim for the 75th percentile of that range.
Superscoring
Many colleges superscore the SAT, taking your highest section scores across multiple test dates. This means you can focus on improving one section at a time, which is a more efficient prep strategy.
How to Improve
Start with a diagnostic to identify your weakest areas, then focus your preparation there. Adaptive platforms like Wizeprep automatically identify and target your weak spots, making your study time more efficient.