What's a Good SAT Score or ACT Score?

Find out if your test scores qualify you for admissions into your top colleges and universities.

What's a good score on a SAT or ACT test? It all depends on where you are planning to apply, as the requirements for admissions into selective, private and public colleges and universities vary a lot among schools. The scores that are acceptable at one college or university might be low for other colleges and universities.

A Campus Explorer college search will give you a good idea of what your schools consider a good SAT or ACT score. Just select a school and click the “admissions” tab to view test score requirements.

As you can imagine, the higher your score, the more chances you’ll have to be accepted into various colleges and universities. But nothing is guaranteed. A high score can’t guarantee you admission if your other academic attributes aren’t up to par. On the contrary, high test scores but low grades could indicate that you’re highly intelligent but lazy in your schoolwork, which is not a desired trait in college applicants.

Average SAT and ACT Scores

The average score on the SAT test is 1500 (including the SAT writing section); for the ACT test it is 20 or 21. Many universities or colleges will accept you with those scores (as long as your GPA and other supplementary materials qualify you), but for an Ivy League school, such as Princeton, Yale or Columbia, for example, an average score will usually be too low.

If your goal is to be accepted into one of these programs but your scores aren’t high enough, you should probably retake the test to see if your scores improve, as this will make it more likely you will be accepted into a college degree program at one of these schools.

College Options for Students with Low SAT or ACT Scores

If your scores are below the average range, it doesn't mean you can't get into the colleges you desire; you just have to have other strong qualifications, like a solid transcript and high GPA. When you start your college search, try to find a college that offers test-optional admissions or doesn’t place a high emphasis on standardized test scores.

If you are applying to a community college program, planning to attend a career college or considering a distance learning program that offers online degrees, you will probably not need high SAT or ACT scores. Most of these schools do not look at standardized test scores when making admissions decisions.

However, you should still take the SAT or ACT, as the tests can be used to determine placement in math and English courses. Plus, taking these tests now allows you the option of transferring to a 4-year college or university and pursuing additional degrees later, if you choose.

College Test Scores Tips & Tactics

• Scoring 1100 or below on the SAT is considered a low score, as is 15 or below on the ACT. If this is where your score falls, you should be thinking about retaking the exam and/or rethinking your studying practices.
• Even if you can get into school without a high SAT/ACT score, you should consider retaking the exams to try to get a higher score. Higher scores can improve your chances of getting scholarship money and can provide you with the opportunity to transfer to a more elite school down the line, if you choose to. For help improving your test scores, take a SAT or ACT prep course at Revolution Prep.
• Keep in mind that if you are applying to a state university as an out-of-state applicant, you will probably need higher SAT/ACT scores than in-state students, as these schools tend to give admissions preference to in-state applicants.
• While standardized test scores are important, they should not be the only factor you choose to determine which college you attend. When you do your college search, think about what is important for you, what major you think you’ll choose, and what type of education you're looking for. Certain careers and majors may necessitate attending a certain type of school, while others may not. Find a college that suits you best, be it an Ivy League school, a traditional four-year college or university or a community college or career college.

Related Standardized College Testing and Test Prep Articles

SAT Subject Tests: the Essentials
ACT: The Essentials
SAT or ACT: Which Should You Take?
Should You Send Some or All of Your SAT Scores to Colleges?
SAT: The Essentials
PSAT/NMSQT & the PLAN (Pre-ACT)
Low SAT or ACT Test Scores? You Still Have College Options

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