What Do SAT® Score Percentiles Mean?

Last updated: December 12th, 2025

A single SAT® score doesn’t tell the whole story. Your percentile indicates how you compare to students nationwide and helps you understand your standing more clearly. In this guide, you’ll learn what SAT percentiles are, how they differ from averages, how to interpret them, and how to set achievable goals for your college list.

Home » SAT Test » What Do SAT® Score Percentiles Mean?

Understanding SAT Score Percentiles

SAT® percentiles help you understand how your score compares to other students who took the test. Instead of just showing a number, percentile scores for SAT results show where you stand in the entire score range. For example, if your score is in the 80th SAT percentile, you scored higher than 80 percent of students in the comparison group. Colleges often review SAT score percentiles along with your section scores to understand your academic strength. Knowing how to interpret SAT percentiles can help you set score goals and track progress as you prepare.

Try a Real SAT-Style Test Experience

Take a full digital SAT practice test to build stamina and get comfortable with test-day timing.

4.7 (630+)

SAT User Percentile vs National Percentile (Key Difference)

When you review your SAT percentile scores, you may notice two types: User Percentile and Nationally Representative Percentile. Both give insight into how your performance compares to other test takers, but they measure slightly different groups. Understanding the difference helps you read your SAT score percentiles accurately and avoid confusion.

Feature	SAT User Percentile	National Percentile
Who you are compared to	Students who actually took the SAT in the last three years	A nationally estimated sample of all U.S. students in 11th and 12th grade, whether they took the test or not
Purpose	Gives a realistic comparison against active SAT test takers	Provides a broader context of how your score ranks among all students your age
Accuracy for college admissions	More relevant because colleges look at real SAT percentiles	Less relevant for score interpretation
Example	A 75th percentile means you scored higher than 75 percent of real SAT takers	A 75th percentile means you scored higher than 75 percent of all students nationwide

What Is a Good SAT Percentile?

A good SAT percentile depends on your college goals, but generally, higher percentiles reflect stronger performance. Many competitive universities consider scores in the 75th SAT percentile or higher as strong. Scores in the 90th percentile or above are typically viewed as excellent and place you among the top test takers. If you are aiming for scholarships or selective programs, reaching higher percentiles for SAT scores can give you an advantage.

High

99-90

Strong

89-75

Mid-High

74-50

Moderate

49-25

Low

24-1

Our comprehensive SAT prep book covers every topic tested on the exam, ensuring you understand all sections in detail and build a strong foundation for improving your percentile scores.

What Percentiles Do Competitive & Top-Tier Colleges Expect?

Percentiles for SAT scores tend to vary by institution, but highly selective colleges usually expect students to be near the top of the SAT percentile chart. Many competitive universities admit students who score around the 75th to 85th percentile range. For Ivy League and top-tier schools, admitted students typically fall in the 90th percentile or higher. These schools often receive applications from students with strong academic records, so higher SAT test percentiles help demonstrate readiness. To get a clearer target score, review the SAT score percentiles reported in the admissions data of the colleges you are considering.

Our SAT prep course offers interactive lessons, practice questions, and expert strategies to boost your percentile scores and improve your chances at top colleges.

How SAT Percentiles Are Calculated

SAT percentiles are calculated by comparing your performance to a large group of students who took the exam during a recent testing cycle. Your raw SAT score is first converted to a scaled score, then placed within the SAT score percentile chart to determine where you stand among test takers. For example, if your score places you in the 82nd percentile, it means you performed better than 82 percent of students in that comparison group. These calculations are updated regularly to reflect trends in performance across SAT test percentiles. Understanding how this process works can help you better interpret your percentile SAT scores and use them to set realistic improvement goals.

Strengthen Weak Sections for Higher Percentiles

Practice targeted RW and Math questions to raise section percentiles faster.

4.7 (630+)

Total SAT Score Percentile Chart

A total SAT score percentile chart helps you see how your overall score compares with other test takers. It shows the SAT score range percentile layout, from lower scores to top-performing percentiles. Reviewing this chart can help you estimate where your score currently stands and what goal score you may want to work toward.

Total Score	Nationally Representative Percentile	User Group Percentile
1600	99+	99+
1590	99+	99+
1580	99+	99+
1570	99+	99+
1560	99+	99+
1550	99+	99
1540	99+	99
1530	99+	99
1520	99+	98
1510	99	98
1500	99	98
1490	99	97
1480	99	97
1470	99	97
1460	99	96
1450	99	96
1440	98	95
1430	98	95
1420	98	94
1410	97	94
1400	97	93
1390	97	93
1380	96	92
1370	96	91
1360	95	91
1350	94	90
1340	94	89
1330	93	89
1320	93	88
1310	92	87
1300	91	86
1290	90	85
1280	89	84
1270	88	84
1260	87	83
1250	86	82
1240	85	81
1230	84	80
1220	83	79
1210	82	77
1200	81	76
1190	80	75
1180	78	74
1170	77	73
1160	76	71
1150	74	70
1140	73	69
1130	71	68
1120	70	66
1110	69	65
1100	67	63
1090	65	62
1080	63	60
1070	61	59
1060	60	57
1050	58	56
1040	56	54
1030	54	53
1020	52	51
1010	50	50
1000	48	48
990	46	47
980	44	45
970	42	44
960	40	42
950	38	41
940	36	39
930	35	37
920	33	36
910	31	34
900	29	33
890	27	31
880	26	30
870	24	28
860	23	27
850	21	25
840	20	24
830	18	22
820	17	21
810	16	19
800	14	18
790	13	16
780	11	15
770	10	13
760	9	12
750	8	11
740	7	9
730	6	8
720	5	7
710	4	6
700	4	5
690	3	5
680	2	4
670	2	3
660	1	3
650	1	3
640	1	2
630	1	2
620	1-	2
610	1-	2
600	1-	1
590	1-	1
580	1-	1
570	1-	1
560	1-	1
550	1-	1
540	1-	1
530	1-	1
520	1-	1-
510	1-	1-
500	1-	1-
490	1-	1-
480	1-	1-
470	1-	1-
460	1-	1-
450	1-	1-
440	1-	1-
430	1-	1-
420	1-	1-
410	1-	1-
400	1-	1-

Section Percentile Chart (Reading & Writing + Math)

Understanding your section scores in relation to other test takers is crucial for evaluating performance. These percentiles help you see whether your results fall above or below average. Using this data, you can better target areas for improvement and plan your prep strategy.

Section Score	Reading and Writing		Math
Section Score	Nationally Representative Percentiles	User Group Percentiles	Nationally Representative Percentiles	User Group Percentiles
800	99+	99+	99+	99+
790	99+	99+	99+	99
780	99+	99+	99	98
770	99+	99	99	97
760	99+	99	99	96
750	99	98	98	96
740	99	97	98	95
730	99	96	97	94
720	98	95	97	93
710	97	94	96	93
700	97	93	95	92
690	96	92	94	91
680	95	90	93	89
670	93	89	92	88
660	92	87	91	87
650	90	85	90	85
640	88	83	89	84
630	86	81	87	82
620	84	79	85	81
610	81	76	83	79
600	79	74	81	77
590	76	71	79	75
580	74	69	76	73
570	71	66	73	70
560	68	63	71	68
550	65	61	68	66
540	62	58	65	63
530	58	55	61	60
520	55	51	57	57
510	51	48	52	54
500	48	45	47	51
490	44	42	44	48
480	41	39	40	46
470	38	36	36	43
460	34	33	32	40
450	31	30	29	37
440	28	27	25	35
430	24	24	23	32
420	22	21	20	29
410	19	19	17	25
400	16	16	15	22
390	13	14	13	19
380	11	11	10	16
370	9	9	9	13
360	7	7	7	10
350	5	5	5	8
340	3	4	4	6
330	2	3	3	4
320	2	2	2	3
310	1	2	1	3
300	1	2	1	2
290	1-	1	1-	1
280	1-	1	1-	1
270	1-	1	1-	1
260	1-	1	1-	1
250	1-	1	1-	1
240	1-	1	1-	1
230	1-	1	1-	1
220	1-	1	1-	1
210	1-	1	1-	1
200	1-	1-	1-	1-

SAT Percentiles vs SAT Averages: What’s the Difference?

SAT percentiles show how your performance compares to other students, ranging from 1 to 99. In contrast, SAT averages only reflect the typical score for a given year and do not provide insight into your individual performance. These averages are calculated by adding all test scores from that year and dividing by the total number of test takers. While averages give a general idea of overall performance, percentiles are more useful for understanding your standing and setting goals for improvement.

How to Find the Percentile Range for Your Target Colleges

To find the percentile range for your target colleges, start by checking the official admissions or institutional research pages of each school. Many colleges publish the SAT scores of admitted students, often including both the middle 50 percent range and percentile rankings. You can use this information to see how your scores compare to the typical student at that college. Tools like an SAT percentile calculator or SAT score percentile chart can also help you estimate where your scores fall relative to other applicants. Understanding these ranges allows you to target schools where your chances of admission are stronger and focus your prep more effectively.

Boost Your Percentile With Guided Lessons

Build skills step-by-step with structured lessons designed to raise your score.

4.7 (630+)

Why SAT Percentiles Matter for Students

SAT percentiles give students a clearer picture of their performance compared to peers across the country. They show not just what you scored, but how your score ranks among all test takers. This information helps you understand which sections need improvement and how competitive your scores are for college admissions. Using percentiles can guide your SAT study plan and help set realistic goals.

Compare Yourself to Other Test Takers

Knowing your SAT percentile helps you understand how your performance compares to other students nationwide. It provides more context than just your raw score and can guide your study and prep strategy.

Identify whether your score is above or below the national average, giving you a clearer picture of your academic standing.
Pinpoint which sections of the SAT need more attention by comparing percentiles for Math, and Reading and Writing.
Track your improvement over multiple test attempts by observing changes in your percentile over time.
Set realistic score goals and focus on areas that will have the greatest impact on your overall ranking.

Understand Admissions Competitiveness

SAT percentiles also help you gauge how competitive your scores are for the colleges you want to apply to. They provide insight into whether your results align with a school’s typical admitted student profile.

Compare your percentile to the middle 50 percent range of admitted students to see where you stand among applicants.
Assess your chances at safety, target, and reach schools by understanding how your scores rank nationally.
Prioritize which schools to focus on for applications or additional test prep based on your percentile.
Make informed decisions about retesting or dedicating more time to specific sections depending on how your scores compare to competitive benchmarks.

Use our SAT Practice Question Bank to practice thousands of questions, focus on sections where your percentiles are lower, and track your progress to reach your target scores efficiently.

Set Realistic Score Goals for Your College List

Setting realistic SAT score goals can help you focus your prep and improve your chances at your target colleges. By using percentiles and score ranges, you can plan strategically and prioritize areas for improvement.

Analyze Current Performance: Review your current SAT percentile scores to see where you stand compared to other test takers. This helps you identify which sections need the most attention.
Compare to College Benchmarks: Look at the middle 50 percent SAT range of admitted students at your target schools. This shows how your scores align with typical admitted applicants.
Focus Your Prep: Break down your study plan by section, concentrating on Math, or Reading and Writing areas where your percentile is lower.
Track Progress Over Time: Reassess your scores as you take practice tests or official exams. Adjust your goals and prep strategy based on improvement.
Prioritize Schools Strategically: Use your percentile information to focus on schools where your scores are competitive, while still challenging yourself with reach schools.

Study With a Clear Plan That Improves Percentiles

Use a focused prep book to review SAT concepts and track progress toward your goals.

4.7 (630+)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the SAT percentile the same as the SAT score?

No. Your SAT score is the actual number from 400 to 1600 that you earned on the test. Your percentile shows the percentage of test takers who scored at or below your score nationwide. For example, a score might be 1350 while the percentile is 92, meaning you did as well as or better than 92 percent of students. Scores tell you your raw performance, while percentiles place that performance in context.

Do colleges care more about SAT scores or SAT percentiles?

Colleges primarily focus on your actual SAT score because it is what they use in their cutoffs, averages, and reported statistics. Percentiles help understand how competitive that score is in the applicant pool, but they are secondary. Admissions offices already know what typical scores look like for their school, so they rarely need to look at the percentile for each applicant. For you as a student, the percentile is mainly a tool to judge how strong your score is compared to other test takers.

Why are my Math and Reading/Writing percentiles different even if the scores are similar?

Math and, Reading and Writing percentiles are calculated separately based on how all test takers performed in that specific section. Even if your scaled scores are similar, the distribution of scores in each section can be different. If many students score high in Math in a given group, you might need a slightly higher Math score to reach the same percentile. This is why a 700 in Math and a 700 in Reading and Writing can land in different percentiles.

Do superscores affect SAT percentiles?

Yes, superscores can affect percentiles because they combine your highest section scores from multiple test dates. A higher superscore typically corresponds to a higher percentile because it places you above more test takers in the score distribution. However, official percentile tables are based on individual test dates, so colleges may interpret superscored percentiles with their own internal context.

See the Difference for Yourself.

Try UWorld SAT Course FREE for 7 Days

No credit card required

Latest From the UWorld CollegePrep Blog

SAT Adjectives vs. SAT Adverbs: Practice tips

SAT Test

What Do SAT® Score Percentiles Mean?

Understanding SAT Score Percentiles