What is a good SAT score?
What your score really says — every SAT range, evaluated.
what’s a good sat score, really?
first off—it depends.
it depends on where you’re applying, what your goals are, and honestly, how much you’re willing to push yourself.
oh thank you, captain obvious. i never knew that. 🤓
but yeah, that is the answer. and it matters.
because the real question isn’t what’s a good SAT score?
it’s more like: what’s a good SAT score for you?
the average SAT score is about 1050. so if you’ve scored above that, congrats—you’re officially above average. 🎉
a 1350+? that puts you in the top 10% of test takers.
a 1500+? now you’re in flex territory. 🚀
are you aiming for ivy league dreams or chasing a full ride at your state school? do you want to outscore everyone you know—or just prove to yourself that you can hit a personal best?
whatever your path looks like, let’s break down what your SAT score actually means…without the noise, without the judgment.
vamos!
the real breakdown: is your SAT score “good”?
let’s take a step back and strip away the pressure. here’s a very biased-unbiased breakdown of the different SAT ranges—and what they actually say about you.
<1000 – not ideal… 📉
no sugarcoating here: this score range will make most selective colleges a tough reach.
but let’s not forget:
tons of schools have test-optional policies now.
your GPA, rec letters, essays, and story still matter.
and if you're early in your test journey? there's room to grow—big time.
🧠 tip: if this is your starting point, don’t panic. use it as your baseline and build from there.
1000–1200 – solid, but slept on 🛠
this range gets overlooked a lot—but it shouldn’t.
it might not be setting Reddit on fire, but it can open the door to hundreds of colleges across the country.
you might not get into Stanford with this score, but you could still land at an incredible school where you’ll thrive, grow, and maybe even get money to go.
💡 tip: pair this with a strong GPA, solid essays, and meaningful extracurriculars? and you're a competitive applicant somewhere.
1200–1300 – officially “good” ✅
you’re in a nice middle zone here—above average, but still with room to rise if you're chasing top-tier schools.
schools like Penn State, Indiana University, or UMass Amherst? they’ll take notice.
this range is a sweet spot for students who’ve balanced grades and test prep without going feral on Khan Academy.
🧠 tip: if you're stuck here and want to move up, focus on one section at a time—raising your reading or math score even slightly can push you into the next bracket.
1300–1400 – great range, especially for upward momentum 📈
now we're talking.
this range signals strong academic potential, especially if your GPA and course rigor match it.
you’re competitive at plenty of strong public flagships and private schools—and you’re on the edge of elite territory.
📍 schools to look at: Northeastern, Boston U, Tulane, Wisconsin, Case Western…
👀 tip: if you're aiming for elite schools, this is where you need to push just a little more. you’re close.
1400–1500 – amazing, elite, and very competitive 🔥
okay this? this is when schools really start paying attention.
you’re now in the top 5% or so of test takers.
paired with a compelling application, this score opens doors to Top 20 schools—and often merit scholarships, too.
🌟 tip: at this level, schools assume you’re capable academically—so now it’s on you to prove who you are beyond the numbers. extracurriculars, essays, and story time.
1500+ – welcome to beast mode 🧠💥
you’ve either got serious talent, serious prep discipline, or both.
you’re hitting the ceiling of what standardized testing can measure—and schools like MIT, Columbia, or UChicago? this puts you right in the mix. doesn’t guarantee anything, but it’s still cool lol.
let’s not get it twisted though:
a 1590 with no depth or personal story? won’t cut it.
a 1520+ with a killer essay? now we’re talking.
🎯 tip: don’t obsess over trying to hit a 1600. use this range as validation—but don’t let it distract from the rest of your app.
final thoughts: so what is a good SAT score?
it’s not just about the number. it’s about where you're trying to go—and how you’re getting there.
a good SAT score isn’t always one that shocks the internet. it’s the score that reflects your goals, your effort, and your potential. 💯
and whether that’s a 1010 or a 1570, what matters most is: what are you going to do with it?
because that number is just a tool—not a definition.
and next week, we’ll be covering how colleges actually use your SAT scores in admissions… the answer will 100% surprise you. stay tuned. 👀fun fact:
“forty” is the only number that is spelt with letters arranged in alphabetical order. 🔢🎆 weekly dose of opportunities 🎆
NYU Tisch Summer High School Program 🎬
an intensive four-week residential program at nyu's tisch school, offering training in drama, dance, and filmmaking for high school sophomores and juniors.CURIE Academy 🔧
a one-week residential program at cornell university for high school juniors and seniors, focusing on engineering while offering a real college experience.Ellen Brenner Memorial Fellowship 📚
two fellowships annually with stipends for individuals working on projects at cold spring harbor laboratory, aimed at future research librarians, science informationists, and archivists.Stanford CARE Scholars 🧬
a one-year virtual research program focused on asian health, with a summer data science immersion. open to high school and undergrad students globally.Exposing Students to Regenerative Medicine (ExStRM) Program 🧫
an eight-week summer research program in los angeles for high school students from underrepresented communities, focusing on regenerative medicine in health areas like sickle cell, cancer, and diabetes.
⭐ college spotlight: Brown University ⭐
🗽 first impressions:
founded in 1764, brown university is one of the most renowned ivy league schools, located in providence, rhode island. known for its open curriculum that allows students to explore and design their own academic path, brown offers a highly flexible, student-centered education. with a focus on intellectual freedom and innovation, brown attracts creative thinkers and independent minds.
⭐ rating factors:
campus vibe: artistic, progressive, and intellectually free; brown’s students thrive in an environment that encourages self-expression and exploration.
academics: cutting-edge, especially in the humanities, social sciences, and biology. brown’s open curriculum allows students to explore widely before choosing their academic focus.
student life: diverse, inclusive, and vibrant; with strong emphasis on activism, arts, and community involvement. students are encouraged to challenge ideas and think critically.
location: providence offers a lively cultural scene with a mix of urban and suburban vibes, though it’s relatively small and quiet compared to major cities.
cost of living: moderate, but brown’s financial aid program is known to be generous, providing strong support for families in need.
🎉 cool events/traditions:
spring weekend: brown’s annual celebration marking the end of the academic year, featuring live music, food, and various student-led performances.
the naked don: an unconventional tradition where students run across campus in the spring to celebrate the season.
the lantern night: a student tradition to mark the start of the new academic year, where students receive a lantern as a symbol of knowledge and the journey ahead.
💡 core school values:
intellectual freedom: brown encourages students to take ownership of their education, fostering creativity and independent thought.
community: brown values a sense of belonging, with an emphasis on collaboration, inclusivity, and support.
innovation: brown places a strong emphasis on pushing boundaries, encouraging students to be pioneers in their fields.
🎓 program highlights:
open curriculum: one of the most unique features of brown is its open curriculum, which allows students to explore a wide range of courses without the constraints of a core set of requirements.
computer science: rapidly growing and considered one of the top programs in the country, focusing on interdisciplinary applications and real-world problem-solving.
public health: one of the top programs for students interested in global health, epidemiology, and healthcare policy.
🎯 did you know?
brown is home to one of the country’s oldest and most renowned centers for the study of public policy, with a reputation for producing leaders in politics and public service.
***special note: we are NOT sponsored or affiliated with any organizations, corporations, or schools highlighted in the above content. mention of any of the aforementioned groups is not representative of an advertisement or any sort of recommendation.***