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If you’ve just received your SAT score results for the first time, you might be wondering how your score compares. Alternatively, you might be preparing to take the SAT this year and want to know what to expect. Looking at average SAT scores over time can give you a better sense of the big picture as well as what a “typical” score might look like. Moreover, it gives you the opportunity to assess whether overall scores are dropping, consistent, or on the rise. In today’s blog, we’ll look at the national average SAT score (and why it matters).

Overview:

• Average SAT score in 2024
• Average SAT scores through the decades
• Why the average SAT score matters
• Average SAT scores by state
• Changes to the SAT over time
• Who typically does best on the SAT

 

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What is the Average SAT score over time?

Before diving into average SAT scores over time, let’s first look at 2024’s SAT data. College Board’s SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report, typically released each September, compiles the average SAT score. It also provides information about students’ ethnicity, test-taking history, school location, and more.

Some quick stats:

• A very small majority of SAT test takers in 2024 were female students (50%), which is equivalent to approximately 990,760 students.
• White students (37%) made up the largest ethnicity of test takers this year at approximately 725,962 students.
• Hispanic/Latino (25%) students were the next largest ethnicity at approximately 483,640 students.
• Suburban schools made up the largest percentage of school locations (40%), with over 750,000 students reporting.
• In 2024, over 1.9 million students took the exam at least once. That’s about the same number as in 2022.

The data below will reflect the College Board’s most recent 2024 findings. Let’s start with how many students scored within specific percentiles.

2024 Score Percentiles

1400-1600	1200-1390	1000-1190	800-990	600-790	400-590
7%	17%	28%	30%	17%	<1%

What was the average SAT score in 2024?

In 2024, the average SAT score was 1024. Interestingly, this means the average SAT score was slightly lower than in 2023, when the average was 1028. While this number isn’t dramatically different, the percentage of students who met the benchmark for their math and reading scores on the SAT dropped this year. However, these numbers may be influenced by the lingering effects of the pandemic, so it’s difficult to accurately predict what future trends might look like.

However, we can see how past trends look. Let’s compare the average SAT score for 2024 to earlier decades. We compiled this information using data from the and .

It’s also important to remember scoring system updates. Before 2005, the test was scored out of 1600. From 2005 to 2016, the test was graded on a sliding numeric scale from 600-2400, and section scores were graded on a sliding scale of 200-800. Since 2016, the test has been scored on a sliding numeric scale that ranges from 400-1600.

The below averages were calculated based on the national average reading and math scores.

Average SAT Score – 1972-2005

Year	Average SAT Score (Reading)	Average SAT Score (Math)
1972	530	509
1973	523	506
1974	521	505
1975	512	498
1976	509	497
1977	507	496
1978	507	494
1979	505	493
1980	502	492
1981	502	492
1982	504	493
1983	503	494
1984	504	497
1985	509	500
1986	509	500
1987	507	501
1988	505	501
1989	504	502
1990	500	501
1991	499	504
1992	500	501
1993	500	503
1994	499	504
1995	504	506
1996	505	508
1997	505	511
1999	505	512
2000	505	514
2001	506	514
2002	504	516
2003	507	519
2004	508	518
2005	508	520

When looking at this data, the most striking trend is that while math scores continued to improve, reading scores decreased. In fact, between the lowest and highest point of the average SAT score for math, there was a jump of 28 points. Conversely, the average score for reading continued to steadily decrease. Between the lowest and highest point of the average score for reading, there was a drop of 31 points.

Most noticeably, the biggest drop from year to year happened between 1974 and 1975 when the average score for reading fell 9 points. However, this graph demonstrates an upward trend in the average SAT Reading score by 2005.

The next graph will compare average SAT scores starting from 2006-2016. The difference? This graph includes average writing scores, as 2006 was the first year that the Writing section was offered. Additionally, this graph will include the final years of the former grading scale, with a possible perfect score of 2400.

Average SAT Score – 2006-2016

Year	Average SAT Score (Math)	Average SAT Score (Reading)	(Writing)
2006	519	503	497
2007	514	501	493
2008	514	500	493
2009	514	499	492
2010	515	500	491
2011	514	497	489
2012	514	496	488
2013	514	496	488
2014	513	497	487
2015	511	495	484
2016	508	494	482

Like the previous graph, this one also shows a trend in consistently lowered average SAT reading scores. Interestingly, over this 10-year span, we can see the same trend for the average SAT math scores. In all columns and subjects, the average score drops each year.

Most noticeably, in the writing portion of the SAT, the score drops 15 points over 10 years.

Finally, let’s conclude with a graph of the average scores from 2017-2023. Starting in 2017, the Writing section was no longer offered, and the test was once again scored on a scale of 1600.

Average SAT Score – 2017-2024

Year	Average SAT Score (Math)	Average SAT Score (Reading)
2017	527	533
2018	531	536
2019	528	531
2020	523	528
2021	528	533
2022	521	529
2023	508	520
2024	505	519

Why do average SAT scores matter?

Knowing average nationwide, local, and college-specific SAT scores can give you a better sense of what to aim for on the exam as well as how to prepare. Moreover, staying on top of fluctuations in those scores can help you assess how competitive your score is relative to other test-takers.

For example, if you know that only 7% of test-takers nationwide scored between 1400-1600, that should signal to you that you’ll need to put in some serious preparation in order to earn a top score. Then, you’ll need to consider where your test score might fall relative to others at your school. For example, at a private school like Phillips Exeter Academy, where the average SAT score is 1450, a score of 1400 may seem low to a college admissions office. On the flip side, if the average SAT score of your school district is 1200 and you submit a score of 1400, it could showcase your academic strength, preparedness, and potential relative to your peers.

The final step will be to look at the mid-50^th percentile SAT ranges at your college(s) of choice. If you’re applying to highly selective institutions, you’ll often need scores much higher than the national average—and maybe even your local average—to be competitive. For example, in 2023, the mid-50^th percentile score of accepted Harvard applicants was 1490-1580.

Where do most SAT test-takers live?

Let’s take a look at which states have the highest and lowest percentages of SAT test takers.

Coming in at the highest percentage are the District of Columbia, Indiana, and New Mexico, where 100% of students take the SAT. Other states with high percentages of SAT test-takers are Illinois (96%), Delaware (97%), Idaho (95%), and Rhode Island (99%). Interestingly, students on the coast take the SAT more than students in other parts of the country.

Some states with the lowest percentage of test takers are Arkansas (2%), Kansas (2%), Kentucky (2%), and Mississippi (1%). These states favor the ACT as a standardized testing method.

If you’re wondering what the average SAT score is for each state, let’s review some of the states with the highest percentages of SAT test-takers. For the purposes of this graph, we’ll pull data from states with at least 80% of students taking the exam. This graph uses 2024 data. As you review it, remember that the national average score for 2023 was 1024.

State	Percentage of Test Takers	Average SAT Score
Colorado	90	998
Connecticut	98	990
Delaware	97	948
District of Columbia	100	937
Florida	95	948
Idaho	95	998
Illinois	96	966
Indiana	100	969
Michigan	96	965
New Hampshire	82	1023
New Mexico	100	885
Rhode Island	99	954
West Virginia	89	919

As you can see, New Hampshire earned the highest average score in 2024. In fact, New Hampshire’s average SAT score is right at the national average. Colorado is a close second with an average SAT score of 990—34 points away from the national average.

Has the SAT gotten harder over time?

Regardless of test format and scoring practices, SAT scores have stayed relatively consistent over time. This suggests that the SAT has not gotten harder. However, the general format or length of the exam may affect the overall average, as the average national score increased when the test was shortened in 2016.

Since 2024 was the first year of the new, shorter Digital SAT, we’ll be curious to see how the updated length and format continues to impact the national average.

Has the content of the SAT changed over time?

Not significantly, other than instating (and then un-instating) the Writing section. Overall, the College Board tries its best to align the average student’s high school curriculum with SAT test content.

Who typically does best on the SAT?

Typically, students who do best on the SAT have better access to quality education and resources that help them properly prepare for the test. Access to SAT prep courses and materials can significantly affect one’s overall score. While private tutoring often leads to the highest score increases (sometimes of several hundred points), targeted studying using free, official resources can be extremely effective.

Furthermore, the higher the family’s reported median income, the better the student performed on the test. For example, for students who reported family income in the Lowest Quintile ($0-$55,667), only 38% met the benchmark for the SAT reading score and only 16% met the benchmark for the SAT math score. Compare these numbers to reported family income in the Highest Quintile (>$117,610), where 84% of students met the benchmark for their SAT reading score and 64% met the benchmark for their SAT math scores.

Let’s look at the average of these two instances. When reported family income was in the Middle Quintile ($71,992-$89,465), 58% of students met the reading benchmark, and 32% met the math benchmark.

Final Thoughts — Average SAT Scores Over Time

During the college admissions process, being armed with as much useful knowledge as possible often reduces stress and increases confidence. In particular, understanding how your SAT score compares to national, local, and college-specific averages can help you pinpoint the score you’ll need to earn to be a more competitive applicant.

Looking for more SAT resources? You might find the following blogs to be helpful:

• Digital SAT Calculator
• Guide to the Digital SAT
• SAT Superscore Explained
• Should I Apply Test-Optional?
• SAT to ACT Conversion Chart