What is a good SAT score?

Based on the 2012 percentile ranks, which are the most recent available as of 2014, an average SAT score is 500 Math, 510 Reading and 490 Writing; anything above these scores would be better than average. Scores of 580 Math, 600 Reading and 570 Writing place in the top quartile.

Each section of the SAT is scored out of 800. Only about five percent of students score 700 and above in any given section. Less than one percent of test takers score perfectly or even near perfectly. Colleges usually set minimum standards for both individual section scores as well as a minimum standard for the combined score.