What Is a Good Score? Decoding Percentiles and Benchmarks in US Standardized Testing

When students and parents ask, What is a good score, they are usually looking for clarity. Standardized test scores can feel confusing because they are reported in different ways and used for different decisions. The key is understanding how scores are measured and what they actually mean in context.

This guide explains how generalized testing works, how percentiles and benchmarks are used, and how this applies specifically to the SAT and ACT. The goal is to help you interpret scores with confidence.

How Standardized Test Scores Are Measured in the US

Most standardized tests do not label scores as pass or fail. Instead, they use comparisons and benchmarks to show how a student performed relative to others or to a defined standard.

Raw Scores vs Scaled Scores

A raw score is the number of questions answered correctly. Because tests vary slightly from one version to another, raw scores are usually converted into scaled scores. This helps ensure fairness across different test dates and versions.

Percentiles

Percentiles tell you how a student performed compared to other test takers. If a student scores in the 70th percentile, it means they performed better than 70 percent of students who took that test.

Percentiles are often misunderstood. They do not reflect how many questions were answered correctly. They reflect relative standing among peers nationwide.

Educational testing experts consistently note that percentile ranks are one of the clearest ways to understand whether a score is average, above average, or below average. This explanation aligns with guidance from the National Center for Education Statistics and the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

What Is Considered a Good Score in Generalized Testing

In most US standardized tests, a score near the 50th percentile is considered average. This means the student is performing about the same as most test takers nationwide.

A good score typically falls between the 60th and 75th percentile. At this level, students demonstrate solid understanding and skills above the national average.

Scores above the 85th percentile are generally considered strong. These scores often indicate advanced academic readiness and can support competitive academic opportunities.

Scores below the 40th percentile are not a judgment of intelligence. They simply suggest that the student may benefit from targeted support or a different learning approach.

Educational research organizations emphasize that no single score defines a student. Scores are tools for guidance, not labels.

Benchmarks vs Percentiles

Benchmarks are different from percentiles. A benchmark score represents a predefined level of performance that indicates readiness for the next academic step.

For example, a benchmark might show whether a student is on track for college-level coursework. Percentiles compare students to each other. Benchmarks compare students to expectations.

Both matter. Percentiles show relative position. Benchmarks show readiness.

This distinction is often discussed by educators and parents navigating test results, including in long-standing academic discussions such as those summarized by Well Trained Mind forums.

What Is a Good SAT Score

The SAT is scored on a scale from 400 to 1600. The national average SAT score typically falls around the midpoint of that range.

An SAT score around the national average places a student near the 50th percentile. This is considered a solid and typical performance.

Scores in the 1200 to 1300 range usually fall between the 70th and 85th percentiles. These scores are often viewed as strong for many colleges.

Scores above 1400 typically place students in a highly competitive percentile range. These scores can strengthen applications for selective institutions.

What matters most is how the score aligns with a student’s college goals, not how it compares to a single number shared online.

What Is a Good ACT Score

The ACT is scored on a scale from 1 to 36. The national average ACT score usually sits around the low 20s.

A score near the national average reflects a solid baseline level of college readiness.

Scores in the mid to high 20s generally indicate above-average performance and can support admission to many competitive colleges.

Scores above 30 typically place students in a high percentile range nationally and are often considered very strong.

As with the SAT, a good ACT score depends on where a student plans to apply and how the score fits within the broader application.

Why Context Matters More Than the Number

A good score is not universal. It depends on the student’s goals, grade level, learning history, and the purpose of the test.

Colleges, schools, and scholarship programs look at scores differently. Many now consider test scores alongside grades, coursework, and personal achievements.

Even graduate-level testing follows this principle. For example, US News explains that a good GRE score depends heavily on the program and field of study rather than a single cutoff number.

Additional Test Prep Insights >>

How to Use Test Scores Productively

The most effective way to use test scores is as a roadmap. Scores can highlight strengths, uncover gaps, and guide smarter preparation.

Rather than asking whether a score is good or bad, a more useful question is what the score is telling you about the next steps. That mindset leads to progress, not stress.

Final Thoughts

Understanding percentiles and benchmarks removes much of the anxiety around standardized testing. A good score moves a student closer to their academic goals with clarity and confidence.

If you need better guidance towards your scores or building a focused test prep plan that fits your goals, the team at Now Test Prep is here to help.

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