Is 950 a Good SAT Score?
A 950 puts you at the 41 percentile of SAT takers — below the 1029 average — many test-optional and regional schools remain open, and retakes commonly gain 50-100 points.
950 on the SAT = 41 percentile (vs. the 1029 national average).
- Score950
- Percentile (test takers)41
- vs. national average-79 pts
- VerdictBelow average
Source: College Board 2025–26 percentile tables (test takers, past three classes).
Scores near 950
| SAT score | Percentile (test takers) |
|---|---|
| 890 | 31 |
| 910 | 34 |
| 930 | 37 |
| 950 | 41 |
| 970 | 44 |
| 990 | 47 |
| 1010 | 50 |
Jump to: 900 · 940 · 960 · 1000 · next milestones: 1100 · 1200
What a 950 means in practice
The national average is 1029, so a 950 sits below it by 79 points — below the 1029 average — many test-optional and regional schools remain open, and retakes commonly gain 50-100 points. Percentiles compress at the top: 40 points around 1000 moves you ~7 percentile ranks, while 40 points past 1500 moves you one. Superscoring (mixing best section scores across dates) is accepted at most selective schools, so section-level retakes are usually the efficient move.
Frequently asked questions
Is 950 a good SAT score?
A 950 is at the 41 percentile of SAT takers — below the 1029 average — many test-optional and regional schools remain open, and retakes commonly gain 50-100 points.
What percentile is a 950 SAT score?
41th percentile among students who took the SAT in the past three graduating classes, per College Board tables.
Can I get into college with a 950?
Yes — admissions is a match game, not a bar exam. Aim for schools whose middle-50% range brackets your score, and remember most U.S. colleges are test-optional.
Sources & methodology
Sources: College Board — Understanding SAT Scores.
Percentiles are official College Board user norms; verdicts are editorial guidance, not admissions predictions.