What the Average SAT Score Actually Means
The national average SAT score for the class of 2023 was about 1060 out of 1600, according to the College Board. That number bundles together the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section and the Math section, each scored from 200 to 800. When families say "average on SAT," they are usually referring to this midpoint, but the real picture is more layered than a single headline figure.
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Averages shift depending on which students take the test and in which year. In years with more test-takers from groups historically less likely to prepare extensively, the average can dip. In years with heavy participation from well-resourced school districts, it can rise. A single year's number is a snapshot, not a target.
How Averages Break Down by Section and Year
The two sections of the SAT do not move in lockstep. In recent years, EBRW has generally run a bit higher than Math nationally, though the gap is modest. The table below shows a simplified view of how the averages have moved over a few test years.
| Year | EBRW Average | Math Average | Total Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | ~533 | ~528 | ~1061 |
| 2022 | ~529 | ~520 | ~1049 |
| 2023 | ~530 | ~525 | ~1055 |
These figures come from the College Board's annual SAT Suite of Assessments reports. Because the SAT is updated periodically and participation rates change, the exact averages for any single test date can vary from the national long-term trend.
State and Group-Level Averages
State averages can differ sharply from the national number. States where a large share of public school students take the SAT, either as part of a statewide college entrance exam requirement or through voluntary participation, often show averages below 1060. States with higher selective participation or private-school dominance may post higher figures.
Gaps also appear across demographic groups. Students from higher-income households, those with college-educated parents, and those attending well-resourced schools tend to score above the national average. These patterns reflect access to preparation, tutoring, and repeated testing more than innate ability.
How Colleges Actually Use Average SAT Scores
Most selective colleges publish middle 50% SAT ranges rather than relying on the national average. A middle 50% range of 1460–1560, for example, tells you that 25% of admitted students scored below 1460 and 25% scored above 1560. The average on SAT for admitted students at highly selective schools is well above the national mean.
At many public universities and a growing number of selective private institutions, the SAT is either optional or not considered at all. In those cases, the average score of the applicant pool is less relevant to admission decisions. Always check a school's current testing policy before deciding whether to submit scores.
What a Score Means for Your Strategy
If your score is near or below the national average, retaking the SAT after targeted preparation can move it meaningfully. The SAT rewards pattern recognition in Math and pacing in Reading and Writing, both of which improve with practice. Taking the official full-length practice tests under timed conditions gives a realistic sense of where your score will land.
Many students also benefit from focusing on one section. A student strong in EBRW who struggles with Math can raise the total score faster by drilling Math concepts than by polishing already-solid reading skills. Conversely, a student with strong Math scores can gain more by building vocabulary in context and reading speed.
When Average Scores Are a Moving Target
The SAT average is not fixed. It shifts with test-year difficulty, the composition of the test-taker pool, and changes in the test itself. The transition to the digital SAT in 2024 introduced a shorter format and adaptive scoring, which means comparing averages from the paper-based era to the current digital version requires caution. The College Board and research organizations track these shifts, but year-to-year comparisons should be read carefully.
Rather than fixating on a single average, use it as a reference point. Compare your score to the ranges reported by the colleges on your list, and build a preparation plan that targets the gap between where you are and where you need to be.