What Is the Average SAT Score?

The latest national mean

College Board's class-of-2026 mean is 1045, up 16 points from 2025. The section means are 528 Reading and Writing and 517 Math. This describes the graduating-class testing population, not a passing score.

The mean is an arithmetic average. It is not necessarily the score at the 50th percentile. A percentile table can also use a different reference population: College Board's SAT-user table is based on students who graduated in the past three school years.

Why state and school averages need a population label

A group where many students take the SAT during the school day differs from one where only students who choose the test participate. An average describes that group; it cannot by itself rank school quality or explain every student's readiness.

When comparing a state, school or country figure, write the year, who tested and which score measure was reported. Do not compare a section mean out of 800 with a total mean out of 1600.

Turn the comparison into a practice choice

If your total is 1100, you are 55 points above the 2026 mean. That does not show whether both sections are above their respective means. A 450 Reading and Writing / 650 Math split puts one below and one above.

Use the section scores and your own error review to choose the next skill. For admissions, compare current college ranges instead of making the national mean your target. If a scholarship requires a particular score, the written threshold is more useful than the average.

Do not estimate misses from the average

1045 is a population mean, so it does not need to be an individual reportable 10-point score. It also does not map to a fixed number of correct or wrong questions.

For your own preparation, use a fresh official timed practice result. An estimate from a raw-score calculator can help explore scenarios, but it is not an official score or proof that your result will match the national mean.

Questions about this score benchmark