What Is the Average SAT Score in 2026? And What Counts as Above Average

The mean SAT score for the class of 2026 was 1045 out of 1600, with Reading and Writing averaging 528 and Math 517. Nearly two million students in the class of 2026 took the SAT at least once. But a single average number only means something once you see how scores spread out above and below it. This guide shows the full distribution, what counts as above average, what top universities expect, and how to set a target comfortably above the mean. For the full preparation system, see our Digital SAT tutoring page.

SAT score percentiles: where the average sits

The mean and the middle are close: in College Board's SAT User percentile tables, a score of about 1020 sits near the 50th percentile, so roughly half of test-takers score below that and half above. What matters for your planning is the distribution — how each score level maps to a percentile. This chart shows where the key milestones sit:

What counts as above average?

Anything above 1045 is above the class of 2026 mean, and above about 1020 puts you in the top half of test-takers. The useful milestones:

So a jump from around the average to 1200 moves you from the 50th to roughly the 75th percentile — a meaningful leap in standing for a relatively achievable gain. We break the very top of the scale down further in is 1500 a good SAT score.

Average vs the score you actually need

Here is the key point: the national average is not your target. Your target is set by the universities on your list, not by the mean. At the most selective universities, admitted students usually score far above the 1045 mean; each university publishes the range for its own admitted students. For most strong universities, a score in the 1200s to 1300s is competitive. Work out your own number using the method in what is a good SAT score for US universities.

How to score above the average

The good news: moving above 1045 is very achievable with structure. Most students who sit the test "cold" land near the average precisely because they have not prepared systematically. A focused plan changes that quickly:

• Diagnose your starting point and weak question types.
• Target the section with the most gettable marks first — often Math, as explained in our Digital SAT Math guide.
• Simulate full-length Bluebook tests and review every error.
• Plan the timeline using how long to study for the SAT.

Average SAT score by section

The two sections contribute almost equally to the average:

The closeness of the two section averages is worth knowing: across all students, there is rarely one inherently "easy" section to lean on. Your own split, though, is usually uneven — most students are stronger in one section, and a diagnostic shows which. Lifting your weaker section is often the quickest route above the average, a point we expand on in how to improve your SAT score.

Average SAT score by year

These figures come from the College Board's annual reports and cover students who took the SAT at any point in high school, using their most recent score. The class of 2026 average rose 16 points, with Reading and Writing up 7 and Math up 9. Because the figures describe a whole graduating class, they are the standard national benchmark, but your own target should come from your university list.

Is an average score enough for university?

A score around 1045 is enough for admission to a wide range of universities, particularly broad-access institutions where the typical admitted score sits near or below the national average. Where it falls short is at selective and highly selective universities, whose admitted students usually score well above the mean. So "is the average enough?" depends entirely on your list — which is why we benchmark against target schools rather than the national figure, as set out in what is a good SAT score for US universities and the full SAT score chart.

Why the average shifts year to year

The national average moves slightly each year with the size and make-up of the test-taking population, and it rose for a second year running in 2026, from 1029 to 1045, so always check which year a quoted average refers to. What does not change is the principle: admissions compares you to applicants at your target universities, not to the national pool. Treat the average as a baseline to clear, then aim for the score your list actually requires, using the SAT score chart to map your target to a percentile and how to improve your SAT score to plan the climb.

Is 1045 a good SAT score?

A 1045 is exactly average for the class of 2026: fine for many broad-access universities, but below the range at selective ones. But the average is just a reference point — what matters is the gap between it and the score your target universities expect. Benchmark against your list, then build a structured plan to climb above the mean.

Related reading: how to get a 1600, is 1500 a good SAT score, what is a good SAT score for US universities, how the SAT is scored, and our full Digital SAT tutoring programmes.

Official sources: College Board — SAT scores · College Board newsroom: class of 2026 results.

Percentile note: College Board publishes two percentile sets — Nationally Representative (weighted to all US 12th graders) and SAT User (actual test-takers). They differ, particularly at the top of the scale. The percentiles here are College Board’s SAT User percentiles (College Board: understanding SAT scores), and the mean of 1045 is from College Board’s 2026 annual report (class of 2026); check your own score report for the exact percentiles attached to your result.

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