Getting ready to take the SAT? You’re not alone. Each year, millions of college-bound students across the country gear up for this critical exam, hopeful that their scores will be good enough for their dream schools. Understanding where you stand can provide valuable insight into your readiness for college and help you set realistic goals for improvement.

Thanks to the diligent work of organizations like the National Center for Education Statistics and the College Board, we have access to detailed SAT statistics. These data reveal average scores by state, providing a comprehensive view of how students across the country perform on this important test.

What is the SAT?

The SAT is a standardized entrance exam used by most US colleges and universities to assess a student’s readiness for higher education. While it’s not the only factor considered in the college admissions process—most schools take GPA, personal essays, and extracurricular activities into account as well—a high score will maximize your chances of being accepted to top colleges.

An Overview of the SAT

The SAT measures your skills in reading, writing, and math through multiple-choice questions. For grading purposes, your reading and writing scores are combined into the Evidence Based Reading and Writing (ERW) score, which is evaluated out of 800, and the math section is scored out of 800. Your reading/writing and math scores are then added together to make your final SAT score (with a highest possible score of 1600).

 Here’s an overview of what taking the SAT actually entails:

• Exam Duration: 3 hours
• Number of Exam Questions: 154
• Exam Components:
  • Reading: 65 minutes
  • Writing and Language: 35 minutes
  • Math: 80 minutes
• Scoring Scale: 400-1600
• Cost: $60 (fee waivers available for eligible students)

The reading section includes passages covering topics such as literature, historical documents, and social and natural sciences. The writing and language section tests your grammar, vocabulary, and editing skills. The math section includes questions on algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, with one portion allowing the use of a calculator and another requiring you to work without one.

SAT vs. ACT

Before we go on, it is important to know that the SAT is not your only option. The SAT is often mentioned alongside the ACT, another college entrance exam accepted by most US colleges and universities. 

Here’s how the two compare:

Exam Duration:

• SAT: 3 hours
• ACT: 2 hours 55 minutes (plus a 40-minute optional writing test)

Number of Exam Questions:

• SAT: 154
• ACT: 215

Exam Components:

• SAT: Reading Test, Writing and Language Test, Math Section
• ACT: Reading Test, English Test, Math Section, Science Test

Use of Calculator:

• SAT: Allowed for one of the two math sections
• ACT: Allowed for the entire math section

Scoring Scale:

• SAT: 400-1600
• ACT: 1-36

Cost:

• SAT: $60
• ACT: $68 (no writing test), $93 (with writing test)

Both exams offer similar time constraints and costs, and they allow the use of a calculator during the math sections. The ACT includes an optional writing test and a science section, which the SAT does not. However, some test-takers prefer the pacing of the SAT since it has fewer questions, allowing more time per question.

Choosing between the SAT and ACT often comes down to personal preference and strengths. For a more in-depth comparison, check out our article, The SAT and the ACT: Behind the Acronyms.

National Average SAT Scores

The College Board reported the following average SAT scores for students across the United States:

• Total Average Score: 1050
• Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) Average Score: 520
• Math Average Score: 508

These averages provide a benchmark for students to compare their performance. If you get a total score of 1050, then you know that you are solidly in the middle range of test-takers. 

However, the average SAT score for the specific colleges you are considering will be different from these national averages. Colleges typically list the average SAT scores of their incoming freshmen, giving you an idea of the scores you’ll need to be a competitive applicant for each of your top schools.

The Average SAT Scores by State

Without further ado, here’s the most recent average SAT scores per state.

State	Number of Test Takers	Percentage of Students Who Took SAT	Math	ERW	Total
Alabama	1,512	3%	570	592	1161
Alaska	2,453	30%	529	553	1082
Arizona	8,689	11%	587	596	1183
Arkansas	683	2%	582	610	1192
California	122,914	25%	536	546	1083
Colorado	57,293	90%	488	508	996
Connecticut	40,405	93%	495	512	1007
Delaware	10,368	95%	469	489	958
District of Columbia	4,987	100%	474	495	969
Florida	205,159	90%	463	503	966
Georgia	64,316	53%	515	539	1054
Hawaii	4,546	30%	549	565	1114
Idaho	21,813	95%	476	494	970
Illinois	142,769	96%	478	492	970
Indiana	78,001	100%	482	489	971
Iowa	817	2%	598	610	1208
Kansas	683	2%	619	626	1245
Kentucky	962	2%	592	616	1208
Louisiana	1,278	3%	583	611	1194
Maine	5,649	38%	529	551	1080
Maryland	51,825	71%	493	515	1008
Massachusetts	44,441	57%	551	560	1112
Michigan	102,466	97%	474	493	967
Minnesota	2,159	3%	599	601	1201
Mississippi	398	1%	583	601	1184
Missouri	2,100	3%	588	603	1191
Montana	477	5%	586	607	1193
Nebraska	331	1%	621	631	1252
Nevada	2,047	6%	576	591	1166
New Hampshire	12,390	82%	508	526	1035
New Jersey	73,353	64%	528	538	1066
New Mexico	20,068	94%	444	458	901
New York	128,296	62%	516	522	1039
North Carolina	27,803	24%	557	570	1127
North Dakota	83	1%	634	652	1287
Ohio	23,823	18%	519	525	1044
Oklahoma	8,158	18%	468	486	953
Oregon	10,020	24%	551	574	1125
Pennsylvania	69,075	48%	531	547	1078
Puerto Rico	3,232	No info	465	510	974
Rhode Island	10,745	95%	468	489	958
South Carolina	27,195	50%	501	527	1028
South Dakota	150	1%	602	605	1208
Tennessee	3,207	4%	585	606	1191
Texas	278,151	71%	481	497	978
Utah	828	2%	618	621	1239
Vermont	2,958	45%	536	563	1099
Virginia	47,211	49%	544	569	1113
Virgin Islands, US	462	No info	441	488	929
Washington	28,078	37%	532	549	1081
West Virginia	16,154	90%	445	478	923
Wisconsin	1,340	2%	621	615	1236
Wyoming	85	2%	596	604	1200

State-by-State SAT Performance Insights

Understanding how SAT scores vary across different states can provide valuable context for students, educators, and policymakers. Here are some key insights into SAT performance on a state-by-state basis.

Highest SAT Scores

1.  North Dakota: 1287

• EBRW: 652
• Math: 634
• Participation: 1%

North Dakota boasts the highest average SAT score of 1287, but only 1% of eligible students took the exam. This data implies that only the most prepared and motivated students opted to take the SAT, while the majority may have taken the ACT or chosen not to participate in standardized testing.

2. Wisconsin: 1252

• EBRW: 622
• Math: 629
• Participation: 2%

Similar to North Dakota, Wisconsin has a high average score (1252) with a low participation rate of (2%), again suggesting that mostly high-performing students took the SAT.

Lowest SAT Scores

1. West Virginia: 923

• EBRW: 478
• Math: 445
• Participation: 90%

West Virginia has the lowest average SAT score of 923, with a high participation rate of 90%. The broad participation likely includes a wide range of student abilities, which can lower the average score.

2.  New Mexico: 901

• EBRW: 458
• Math: 444
• Participation: 94%

New Mexico’s average SAT score of 901, coupled with a 94% participation rate, indicates that the test is widely taken across the state, including by students who might be less prepared.

States with High Participation Rates

1.  District of Columbia: 100%

Total Score: 969

The District of Columbia requires students to take the SAT to graduate, resulting in a 100% participation rate with an average score of 969. Because the SAT is required in DC, all students, regardless of their readiness, take the exam, which can lower the average score.

2. Indiana: 100%

Total Score: 971

Indiana also requires the SAT for graduation, resulting in a 100% participation rate with an average score of 971. The inclusion of all students in the testing pool likely drives this lower average score.

States with Low Participation Rates

1. Mississippi: 1%

Total Score: 1226

Mississippi has one of the lowest SAT participation rates at 1%, with an average score of 1226. This rate indicates that only a select group of high-performing students took the SAT, leading to a higher average score.

2.  North Dakota: 1%

Total Score: 1287

As mentioned, North Dakota’s 1% participation rate with a score of 1287 shows that primarily the top students took the test, which results in the higher average score.

Resources to Help You  Study for the SAT

Preparing for the SAT can seem daunting, but with the right strategies and resources, you can improve your scores and approach the test with confidence. Here are some of the best places you can look for help:

Public Libraries

Public libraries often have a wealth of SAT prep books available for checkout. These books typically include practice tests, detailed reviews of each section, and test-taking strategies.

Study Groups

Forming a study group with fellow test-takers can provide mutual support and motivation. Your study group will be able to share resources, quiz each other, and explain difficult concepts.

Free Online SAT Resources

Many students successfully prepare for the SAT using free online resources. There are many online resources that offer personalized practice based on your PSAT scores, as well as full-length practice tests and video tutorials. College Board, the creators of the SAT, also provide a range of free SAT preparation materials, including practice tests and sample questions.

Professional Guidance

A professional SAT tutor can provide personalized instruction, tailored to your strengths and weaknesses. Tutors can help you develop a study plan, teach test-taking strategies, and keep you accountable. You can also explore enrolling in SAT prep classes, which offer a structured approach to studying for the exam.

SAT Study Tips

As you prepare for the exam, keep these SAT study tips in mind:

1. Understand the Test Format. Familiarize yourself with the structure of the SAT, including the types of questions you’ll encounter and the timing of each section.
2. Take Practice Tests. Regularly taking full-length practice tests can help you build endurance and improve your time management skills.
3. Review Mistakes. Carefully review your answers to practice questions and tests. Understanding why you got a question wrong is crucial for improvement.
4. Focus on Weak Areas. Identify your weakest subjects and allocate more study time to those areas. Use targeted practice to strengthen your skills.
5. Develop a Study Schedule. Create a study plan that spreads out your preparation over several months. Consistent, focused study sessions are more effective than cramming.
6. Use Quality Study Materials. Choose study guides and practice tests from reputable sources, like the official SAT materials from the College Board.
7. Learn Test-Taking Strategies. Develop strategies for answering multiple-choice questions, such as eliminating obviously incorrect answers and making educated guesses.
8. Stay Healthy. Ensure you get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly. Good physical health can significantly impact your mental performance.
9. Stay Positive. Maintaining a positive attitude can help reduce anxiety and improve your confidence on test day.
10. Seek Help When Needed. Don’t hesitate to ask teachers, tutors, or classmates for help with difficult concepts or questions.

SAT Prep and More with Empowerly

If you need help preparing for the SAT, Empowerly is here for you! We take a personalized approach to standardized test preparation, including:

• One-on-one SAT tutoring
• Custom study plans
• SAT preparation materials
• Cutting-edge test-taking strategies

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Additional Resources

Need practical advice for navigating the college application process? Check out our guide, College Application Help: 15 Tips to Help You Succeed

Struggling to come up with a compelling essay? Explore our list of Top 40 College Essay Ideas and Topics to find inspiration for your application.

Looking for expert guidance on your college journey? Read our 10 Tips for Finding an Independent College Counselor to ensure you get the best support.