What’s a Good SAT/ACT Score for Applying to College?

Key Takeaways:

• A “good” SAT or ACT score depends on the colleges you are targeting and their current testing policies.
• For Ivy League applicants, a 1560 SAT or 35 ACT is a strong target, although neither guarantees admission.
• Compare your results with each college’s reported 25th–75th percentile range. A score near the upper end will generally strengthen your application.
• Testing policies vary between test-required, test-optional, and test-free institutions, so check every college individually.
• SAT and ACT scores remain only one part of a holistic admissions review that also considers grades, course rigor, essays, recommendations, and activities.

In addition to the usual application materials, like transcripts, letters of recommendation, and essays, students are often asked to submit standardized test scores from either the SAT or ACT exam when applying to college. Top schools do not recommend one test over the other; students are allowed to submit whichever one they prefer.

SAT/ACT scores are used by colleges to try to standardize students across the country. High schools have many different academic philosophies and offer varying curriculum types, including the Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. For schools that don’t have an advanced curriculum, standardized tests provide colleges a chance to see how those students compare to others.

By considering SAT/ACT scores alongside other application materials, such as grades and extracurricular activities, institutions can make more informed decisions about an applicant’s academic preparedness. Many top institutions also feel that SAT/ACT scores can indicate the applicant’s academic readiness and ability to handle their curriculum. Many of these institutions believe that higher SAT/ACT scores often indicate stronger critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in college.

Furthermore, SAT scores may also impact scholarships and financial aid opportunities. Many colleges and universities consider SAT scores when awarding merit-based scholarships or determining eligibility for specific programs. Higher scores can make an applicant more competitive for these financial incentives, potentially reducing the cost of education and opening doors to additional opportunities.

While SAT/ACT scores hold weight in the admissions process, it is important to note that they are only one part of an application and not the determining factor. Admissions committees take a holistic approach when curating a class, considering many different factors, including intellectual vitality, extracurriculars, personal achievements, essays, letters of recommendation, and more. Still, SAT/ACT scores provide a standardized benchmark that helps admissions officers make informed decisions about an applicant’s suitability for admission.

Standardized testing may be particularly useful for international students whose grades and curricula may be less familiar to U.S. admissions offices. However, the SAT or ACT is not necessarily the only standardized academic evidence available. Many international applicants submit IB, A-level, national examination, or other external results, and colleges evaluate these credentials within the context of the student’s school and country.

Recruited athletes should also review both the college’s admissions policy and the requirements of its athletic program. The NCAA no longer requires SAT or ACT scores for Division I or Division II initial eligibility, but an individual college, admissions office, coach, or athletic program may still require or request them.

What about Test Optional?

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges and universities dropped standardized testing requirements for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle (students applying for the Class of 2025). This caused application numbers to skyrocket and opened the doors to a number of applicants who previously would not have applied, making the competition even stiffer for top colleges, including the Ivy League.

Testing policies have continued to evolve since the pandemic. Although many colleges remain test-optional, several highly selective institutions, including Harvard, Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, and the University of Pennsylvania, have reinstated SAT or ACT requirements. Other colleges remain test-optional or test-free. Because policies can change from one application cycle to the next, students should confirm the current requirements for every college on their list.

The result is a mixed testing landscape rather than a single nationwide trend. At colleges that require testing, students must submit an SAT or ACT score unless they qualify for a stated exception or waiver. At test-optional colleges, applicants must decide whether their scores strengthen their overall academic profile. Test-free or test-blind colleges do not consider SAT or ACT scores in admissions decisions, even if applicants submit them.

SAT/ACT Testing Averages – What is a Good Score?

When applying to the Ivy League, you’ll want to make sure that if you’re submitting test scores, they are competitive for the school. Generally, we recommend that an applicant’s scores fall into the top 25% or higher admit range for the colleges to which they apply.

Ivy League college	SAT Reading and Writing	SAT Math	ACT Composite
	(25th – 75th Percentile)	(25th – 75th Percentile)	(25th – 75th Percentile)
Brown University	740–780	770–800	34–35
Columbia University	740–780	770–800	34–35
Cornell University	730–770	770–800	33–35
Dartmouth College	740–780	760–790	33–35
Harvard University	740–780	770–800	34–36
University of Pennsylvania	740–770	770–800	34–36
Princeton University	740–780	770–800	34–35
Yale University	730–780	740–790	33–35

Source: College Navigator

Bottom Line: If you are applying to the Ivy League, aim for a score near the upper end of each school’s reported range. In practical terms, a 1560 SAT or 35 ACT is a strong target across the Ivy League. These scores do not guarantee admission, and lower scores may still be competitive depending on the school and the strength of the overall application, but reaching this level ensures that testing is likely to support rather than weaken your academic profile.

Average SAT/ACT Scores for Top 25 Colleges

College	SAT Reading and Writing	SAT Math	ACT Composite
	(25th – 75th Percentile)	(25th – 75th Percentile)	(25th – 75th Percentile)
Princeton University	740–780	770–800	34–35
Harvard University	740–780	770–800	34–36
University of Chicago	740–780	770–800	34–35
Yale University	730–780	740–790	33–35
Columbia University	740–780	770–800	34–35
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	740–780	780–800	34–36
Stanford University	740–780	770–800	34–35
University of Pennsylvania	740–770	770–800	34–36
Duke University	740–770	760–800	34–35
Dartmouth College	740–780	760–790	33–35
Johns Hopkins University	740–770	780–800	34–36
Northwestern University	740–770	770–800	33–35
Brown University	740–780	770–800	34–35
Cornell University	730–770	770–800	33–35
Rice University	740–770	770–800	34–35
Vanderbilt University	730–770	770–800	34–35
University of Notre Dame	720–770	735–790	33–35
Washington University in St. Louis	730–770	770–800	33–35
Georgetown University	700–770	690–780	31–35
Emory University	720–760	750–790	32–35
University of Southern California	710–760	740–790	32–35
Carnegie Mellon University	730–770	770–800	34–35

** Source: College Navigator

** Note: The University of California system does not consider SAT or ACT scores when making admissions or scholarship decisions. Other institutions may be test-optional, test-free, or test-required, and these policies can change. Always verify each college’s current testing policy before applying.

When to Send SAT/ACT Scores

Many colleges will require you to submit official test reports to their admissions teams. This takes time, as you have to order the test reports to be sent by the ACT and the College Board directly to each college that requires an official report. Therefore, you should plan this into your list of deadlines when putting together your college application timeline.

Generally, the best time to submit your standardized test scores is roughly one (1) month before the deadline, to ensure that they get to the admissions committee with plenty of time. This gives you some buffer in case there are any issues. You can submit scores at any point, though – the ACT and the College Board allow you to submit your scores to colleges whenever you’d like.

Many schools will allow you to self-report your SAT/ACT scores (as well as AP/IB supplemental testing scores). It’s absolutely essential that you check each school’s testing policy websites for the most up-to-date information on what they require in terms of score submission. These policies change, especially during a time like now when so many schools are going test-optional. You can access a school’s testing policy on their main homepage in the Common Application or the Coalition Application, look for their testing policy on their Admissions Department website, or call the Admissions Department directly.

How Long Does It Take to Send SAT/ACT Scores?

It takes approximately 10-14 days for a college to receive your SAT/ACT scores from when the ACT or College Board sends them. You should plan this into your application timeline. The reason it takes a variable amount of time is that each college has a different way they’ve opted to receive scores from the College Board, so sometimes it’s faster than others at certain colleges. The general rule is to plan for at least 2 weeks for your scores to be received. If you need, Rush Reporting may be an option for you, as well.

What is Free Score Report?

According to the College Board, you can send four free score reports to colleges every time you register for the SAT. This is the fastest way to send scores to colleges and scholarship programs—and there’s no fee. You can use your free score reports up to 11:59 p.m., U.S. Eastern Time, nine days after the test. If you’re eligible for an SAT fee waiver, you can send as many score reports as you want for free. Learn more about the SAT fee waiver program here.

The issue with this is that you don’t get to see your scores before they’re released. It’s best to see how you score on the exam before submitting your test scores directly to schools.

Conclusion

Standardized testing remains an important part of the admissions process at many colleges, including several Ivy League and other highly selective institutions. However, there is no universal score that guarantees admission. A strong testing plan should account for each college’s current policy, recently reported score ranges, the student’s academic profile, and whether the SAT or ACT is the better fit.

Students should begin preparing early enough to take the test more than once if necessary. An experienced college admissions consultant can help students interpret their scores, build an appropriate testing strategy, and determine how standardized testing fits into the broader application.

Originally Published: Jun 2023. Updated by an admissions consultant and republished in July 2026