What’s a Good SAT/ACT Score in 2025? (06/24/25)
Whether you're just starting your test-prep journey or about to take your second official exam, one question inevitably comes up: “What’s a good SAT or ACT score in 2025?” The answer depends on your goals, the schools you’re targeting, and how your score compares to other applicants.
In this post, I’ll break down what counts as a good score based on percentiles, test concordance, and real score ranges from colleges across the selectivity spectrum.
Understanding SAT and ACT Percentiles
Standardized test percentiles show how your score stacks up against other test-takers. A 75th percentile score means you scored higher than 75% of students, while a 50th percentile score is right in the middle.
2025 SAT Percentile Benchmarks (out of 1600):
Top 1%: 1520+
Top 5%: 1420–1510
Top 10%: 1350–1410
Median (50th percentile): ~1050
Bottom 25%: Below 910
2025 ACT Percentile Benchmarks (out of 36):
Top 1%: 34–36
Top 5%: 31–33
Top 10%: 28–30
Median (50th percentile): ~20
Bottom 25%: Below 16
A “good” score depends on where your target colleges fall within this distribution.
SAT/ACT Concordance Table
Because colleges accept either test, it’s helpful to understand how SAT and ACT scores compare. Here are a few score equivalents based on the official concordance:
SAT to ACT Score Conversion Examples:
1600 SAT ≈ 36 ACT
1500 SAT ≈ 34 ACT
1400 SAT ≈ 31 ACT
1300 SAT ≈ 28 ACT
1200 SAT ≈ 25 ACT
1100 SAT ≈ 22 ACT
1000 SAT ≈ 19 ACT
900 SAT ≈ 17 ACT
This list is a helpful tool when deciding which test to focus on—or when comparing performance across both.
Average Test Scores by College Selectivity
Here’s how SAT and ACT scores break down across different types of colleges in 2025:
Less Selective Schools
Colleges with acceptance rates over 70% often have lower average test scores.
Florida Atlantic University: SAT 1070–1240 | ACT 21–26
University of North Texas: SAT 1030–1220 | ACT 20–26
San Jose State University: SAT 1040–1240 | ACT 19–26
Moderately Selective Schools
These schools have acceptance rates between 30%–60%.
University of Florida: SAT 1340–1490 | ACT 29–33
Penn State University: SAT 1160–1370 | ACT 25–30
University of Texas at Austin: SAT 1230–1470 | ACT 26–33
American University: SAT 1220–1380 | ACT 27–31
Highly Selective & Ivy League Schools
Acceptance rates under 10% and extremely competitive applicant pools.
Harvard University: SAT 1480–1580 | ACT 33–36
Yale University: SAT 1470–1570 | ACT 33–35
University of Pennsylvania: SAT 1450–1560 | ACT 33–35
Dartmouth College: SAT 1440–1560 | ACT 32–35
Remember: these are middle 50% ranges, meaning 25% of accepted students scored below—and 25% scored above—these numbers.
So, What’s a Good Score for You?
A “good” score depends on where you want to apply:
If you’re targeting top 20 colleges, aim for the top 5% of test-takers.
For state schools or competitive public universities, aim for the top 25%–30%.
For test-flexible or less selective colleges, a score near the national average may be sufficient—especially with a strong GPA and extracurriculars.
If your dream schools superscore (many do), you can also focus on improving one section at a time over multiple sittings.
Final Thoughts
A good ACT or SAT score is the one that helps you stand out at your target schools. Understanding national percentiles, how scores translate between tests, and what schools expect will help you set realistic goals and build an effective prep plan.
If you're unsure what score to aim for or want help getting there, I’d love to help. Schedule a free consultation to start building a personalized test-prep strategy that matches your college goals and learning style.
Contact me today to get started with expert ACT/SAT tutoring and take the next step toward college success!
