Is 960 a Good SAT Score?
A 960 puts you at the 42 percentile of SAT takers — below the 1029 average — many test-optional and regional schools remain open, and retakes commonly gain 50-100 points.
960 on the SAT = 42 percentile (vs. the 1029 national average).
- Score960
- Percentile (test takers)42
- vs. national average-69 pts
- VerdictBelow average
Source: College Board 2025–26 percentile tables (test takers, past three classes).
Scores near 960
| SAT score | Percentile (test takers) |
|---|---|
| 900 | 33 |
| 920 | 36 |
| 940 | 39 |
| 960 | 42 |
| 980 | 45 |
| 1000 | 48 |
| 1020 | 51 |
Jump to: 910 · 950 · 970 · 1010 · next milestones: 1100 · 1200
What a 960 means in practice
The national average is 1029, so a 960 sits below it by 69 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 960 a good SAT score?
A 960 is at the 42 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 960 SAT score?
42th percentile among students who took the SAT in the past three graduating classes, per College Board tables.
Can I get into college with a 960?
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.