A good SAT score is one that falls within or above the typical range of admitted students at the universities a student is applying to. The SAT is scored from 400 to 1600, and for context, College Board reports that the class of 2025 averaged 1029 nationally. Families in China often search for an average SAT score in China, but College Board’s public annual reports give total-group and US state figures rather than an official China average, so the more useful benchmark is each target university’s score range.
This guide from Qingdao No. 1 International School of Shandong Province (QISS) explains how SAT scores work, what the published averages mean, and how students in China can set a realistic target score.
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How the SAT Is Scored
The digital SAT has two sections, Reading and Writing and Math. Each section is scored from 200 to 800, and the two add up to a total score from 400 to 1600. College Board explains scoring on its SAT overview page.
A score report also shows percentile ranks, which tell a student what share of test takers scored at or below their score. Percentiles are useful for seeing where a score sits, but universities usually look at the score itself in the context of their own applicant pool.
The National Average SAT Score
College Board publishes national figures each year in its SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report. The 2025 total group report shows that 2,004,965 students in the class of 2025 took the SAT, with a mean total score of 1029: 521 in Reading and Writing and 508 in Math. For students who tested more than once, the report uses their most recent score.
The same report sets out College Board’s College and Career Readiness Benchmarks, which are 480 in Reading and Writing and 530 in Math. Meeting both benchmarks suggests a student is likely to succeed in first-year college courses in those areas.
What About an Average SAT Score in China?
Many families in China search for an average SAT score in China. College Board’s public annual reports are published for the total group and for US states, and we have not found an official average for students in China. Figures that circulate online for China usually come from unofficial sources, so they are best treated with caution.
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Talk to admissions →There is also a practical reason not to rely on a national average. Students in China who take the SAT are often applying to selective universities, so a total-group average says little about how competitive a score is for them. A student’s real benchmark is the range at the universities on their list.
How to Work Out a Good SAT Score for Your Target Universities
Most US universities publish the score range of the middle half of their admitted or enrolled students, often in their admissions profile or Common Data Set. A score inside that range is competitive; a score near or above the top of it is a strength.
A simple way to set a target:
- List eight to twelve universities across reach, target and likely options.
- Note the SAT range of the middle half of admitted students at each one, and whether it is test-optional, test-required or test-blind.
- Set a target near the upper part of the ranges for your target universities.
- Take a full practice test to see the gap between your current score and the target.
Our guide to free digital SAT practice explains how to close that gap with official resources, and our SAT preparation guide for students in China covers study planning in more depth.
Does One SAT Score Have to Be Enough?
Many students take the SAT more than once. Some universities superscore, combining a student’s best Reading and Writing and best Math results from different test dates, and College Board’s Score Choice lets students choose which test dates to send in many cases. Our guide on how to send SAT scores to colleges explains both.
For test-optional universities, a strong score can still help, while a score well below the university’s range may be better left out. Our test-optional admissions guide explains how to decide.
SAT Scores at QISS
At QISS, students average 1300 on the SAT. QISS is an authorized SAT and AP testing site, and our SAT and AP test center offers the SAT on campus three to four times a year, so students can plan a first sitting and a retake without travelling to another city.
Our college counseling team helps students build college lists and set score targets that match them. If your family would like to learn more, you are welcome to visit our campus.
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Start your application →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average SAT score in China?
College Board does not publish an official average for students in China in its public annual reports, so figures quoted online are unofficial. Compare your score with the ranges at your target universities instead.
What is a good SAT score?
A good score is one within or above the range of the middle half of admitted students at the universities you are applying to. That range differs widely between universities.
What was the national average SAT score in 2025?
College Board reports a mean total score of 1029 for the class of 2025, with 521 in Reading and Writing and 508 in Math.
Is 1300 a good SAT score?
A 1300 is well above the national mean of 1029 and competitive at many universities, though selective universities often have higher ranges. QISS students average 1300.
How many times can you take the SAT?
Students can take the SAT several times, and many universities consider the best results or superscore across test dates. Check each university’s testing policy.
