If you sat for the SAT between 2021 and 2024, you might be curious about where your score places you in terms of percentiles. Does scoring 600 in Math in 2021 carry the same weight as scoring 600 in Math in 2024? How much variation exists in percentile rankings over the years?
Continue reading to understand what SAT percentiles represent and how they've shifted over time. I'll also supply percentile rankings for overall and section-specific SAT scores spanning the years 2021 to 2024.
What Are SAT Percentile Scores?
An SAT percentile score indicates how your performance compares to other test-takers. For instance, if you land in the 69th percentile, it means you outperformed 69% of individuals who took the exam. A 50th percentile score signifies that half of the test-takers performed worse than you.
Each year, the College Board calculates the SAT percentile scores based on how the latest cohort of college-bound high school seniors performed on the test. A higher percentile score reflects stronger performance compared to your peers in that year’s pool of examinees.
Do Percentile Scores Change Over Time?
Generally speaking, SAT percentiles have remained relatively consistent year over year. This stability is deliberate—the SAT scoring system is structured so that colleges can interpret a score consistently across different years. For example, a 1380 SAT score in 2016 is designed to reflect a similar level of performance as a 1380 in 2023. If a 1380 were ranked in the 80th percentile one year but shifted to the 95th percentile in another, the scores would lose their comparability.
That said, minor fluctuations do occur, and these have been slightly more pronounced in recent years. Starting around 2022, average SAT scores have experienced a slight dip. Although the exact reasons are unclear, the prevailing hypothesis attributes the decline to the educational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It remains to be seen whether percentiles will eventually revert to pre-pandemic levels or if these changes herald a new norm.
Why Does This Information Matter, and How Should You Use It?
Your percentile ranking is one of the simplest ways to gauge your SAT performance. If your score surpasses that of 50% of test-takers, you are above average. If you outperform 75% of test-takers, it means you’ve performed particularly well.
However, when applying to colleges, your competition isn’t with all SAT test-takers—it’s with those applying to the same school as you. To help prospective students determine how they measure up to admitted applicants, many colleges publish the 25th and 75th percentile SAT scores of their incoming classes. If you’re aiming to be a competitive applicant, your goal should ideally be to score near or above the 75th percentile for that institution.
On the individual section level, percentiles can help contextualize your performance further. At first glance, scoring 690 in Reading & Writing and 640 in Math might appear similar. However, the percentile rankings for these scores differ—the 690 in Reading & Writing corresponds to the 92nd percentile, while the 640 in Math is in the 84th percentile. Improving both scores by 100 points would increase your Reading & Writing ranking by seven percentile points but boost your Math ranking by 11 percentile points. If you're considering retaking the SAT, examining your percentile scores can help prioritize which section to focus on for the greatest improvement.
Finally, percentile scores provide insight into how even modest increases in your total score can significantly affect your ranking. For example, in 2024, an SAT score of 1050 landed at the 55th percentile, while a score of 1210 placed at the 77th percentile. A score increase of just 160 points could elevate you from the middle of the pack to the top quarter of all test-takers.
Composite Score Percentiles (2021-2024)
Section Score Percentiles
Reading and Writing
Math
Conclusion
Understanding SAT percentiles is crucial for interpreting your performance and setting realistic goals for improvement. While your raw score gives you a sense of how many questions you got right, your percentile ranking offers valuable context by showing how you compare to other test-takers. Whether you're preparing to retake the SAT or finalizing your college applications, keeping percentile rankings in mind can guide your efforts and help you target the schools where you'll be most competitive. Remember, even small score increases can significantly boost your percentile—and your chances of standing out to admissions officers. Keep working toward your goals, and you'll be one step closer to achieving them!
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