Historical SAT Percentiles from 2016 to Today

One of the most important things to understand about the SAT is that it doesn’t just give schools an additional opportunity to see your academic performance; it also gives them a way to compare you to other students. What makes you a better choice over another student? Colleges have to ask themselves this question every time they choose someone to admit, and an SAT score in the top percentiles provides evidence that you stand out from the pack. 

If you’re a competitive student who wants to get into a highly selective school, you need to arm yourself with a good understanding of what contributes to admissions decisions. That means understanding standardized test scoring. You need to know where the numbers come from and what they mean, so that you can develop a plan to maximize your score. Succeeding at standardized tests isn’t just about studying content areas; it’s about knowing how to approach these exams and preparing for them strategically. To that end, let’s talk about recent SAT percentile data, starting in 2016. 

SAT Percentiles From 2016 to Today

Data Sources: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

What SAT Percentiles Represent

An SAT percentile indicates how a student’s score compares to others who took the test in the same year. For example, scoring in the 75th percentile means performing better than 75% of test-takers. These percentiles fluctuate slightly each year, reflecting variations in test difficulty and the overall performance of students. Colleges use percentiles to gauge how applicants compare to the general pool of test-takers.

Changes in SAT Percentiles from 2016 to Present

In 2016, the SAT saw its first major revision since 2005. For the 2005 testing year, the test’s scoring expanded from 1600 to 2400; in 2016, the “New SAT” was launched and the test returned to a 1600 potential. It’s this version of the exam that forms the basis for the recent changes to the SAT, and the massive gap in scoring (and test format!) means that data from before 2016 is very difficult to compare to modern SAT data. However, since the 2016 revision introduced the two main sections we know and love today (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math), the data is useful for direct comparison to today’s version of the exam. Since then, percentiles have shown slight changes each year.

2016-2017 

The first years of the new format set baseline percentiles, providing students and educators with the first indications of how scores compared under the revised system. A 1400 placed students around the 95th percentile, meaning they performed better than 95% of test-takers, while a 1200 was around the 75th percentile, indicating a solid but not top-tier performance. These early years were crucial in helping colleges recalibrate their admissions expectations based on the updated scoring structure. Since test-takers were adjusting to the revised format, some score distributions showed slight irregularities as students and prep companies refined their strategies for the new exam.

2018-2019

The percentiles remained stable, with only minor shifts, reinforcing the reliability of the updated SAT scoring system. A 1400 score still held strong in the 94th–95th percentile range, making it a competitive benchmark for students applying to selective universities. As more students became familiar with the test, there was a slight reduction in variability between years, suggesting that the exam had reached a more predictable level of difficulty. These years also marked a period where colleges and universities had fully transitioned to considering the new SAT scores in admissions decisions, further solidifying percentile expectations.

2020-2021

With disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer students took the SAT, leading to a decrease in overall test participation. Many test centers closed or had limited capacity, making it difficult for students to sit for the exam. Despite the lower number of test-takers, percentiles remained relatively steady, though some speculated that the pool of students who did take the SAT during this period might have been more self-selected, with higher-achieving students being overrepresented. This raised questions about how colleges would interpret SAT scores, especially with many schools shifting to test-optional policies during this time.

2022-2023

With more students opting out due to test-optional policies, there was speculation about whether average scores would change significantly, as fewer lower-scoring students were taking the test. However, percentiles remained close to pre-pandemic trends, suggesting that the core group of test-takers still represented a broad range of academic abilities. Some competitive colleges reinstated standardized test requirements, particularly for scholarship consideration, prompting a renewed interest in the SAT among students aiming for top-tier schools. The consistency of percentiles indicated that despite fluctuating participation rates, the relative difficulty of the exam and the distribution of scores remained stable.

2024-Today

As of the most recent data, the 1400 benchmark remains within the top 7%, while a 1200 score still places students above roughly 75% of test-takers. This consistency suggests that even as testing policies evolve, the SAT remains a meaningful metric for distinguishing high-achieving students. While the overall number of test-takers has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, those who do take the SAT continue to see percentile rankings that align with historical trends. As more colleges return to requiring standardized testing, students who submit scores can use percentiles to assess their competitiveness within the applicant pool.

How Percentiles Affect College Applications

While raw scores matter, percentiles provide additional context. A 1400 might be a strong score generally, but if a student is applying to top-tier universities, where the average admitted student scores around the 98th percentile, it may not be competitive. But for many large state schools, a 1200 might be well above the median accepted score, making a student a strong candidate.

For students seeking merit scholarships, percentiles are often a deciding factor. Many scholarship programs set eligibility based on score cutoffs, often requiring students to be in the 90th percentile or higher.

Using Percentiles To Improve Studying

Historical percentiles help you set realistic targets. If a particular college’s middle 50% SAT range falls between the 60th and 85th percentiles, you can compare your practice test results to this range and determine how much improvement is needed. Students who score in a lower percentile than desired can use this as motivation to focus on weaker areas. If Math is bringing down their overall score, shifting study strategies to include more problem-solving exercises may help. Those excelling in EBRW but struggling with timing might need to practice under timed conditions.

However, you need to know how to improve– after a certain point, just taking practice tests has seriously diminishing returns. And that’s where SAT prep classes come in. Working with SAT experts in a structured prep class can make studying more efficient. These instructors have extensive experience with the test format and can offer guidance on the most effective strategies for each section. They help students recognize patterns in questions, manage time effectively, and develop test-taking confidence. Additionally, personalized feedback ensures students address weaknesses before test day, leading to more targeted and effective study sessions.  By analyzing trends and using percentiles to set benchmarks, expert SAT tutors can help you approach your preparation with clear goals.

If you want to see major improvements to your SAT scores and get SAT help from 99th percentile scorers, Prep Expert has the classes you need. Check out our SAT course offerings and see how our methods can help you stand out!