A good SAT Reading and Writing score is one that helps you get into the colleges on your list. Look them up to see whether your current score meets or exceeds each one's middle-50% score range.
As quick guideposts based on recent user percentiles: scores around 590+ place you near the top quarter of test-takers for the Reading and Writing section, 690+ near the top 10%, and 740+ around the top 5%.
Understanding SAT Reading and Writing Scores
The Reading and Writing section of the SAT measures how well you:
- analyze texts
- use evidence
- interpret words in context
- revise writing for clarity and purpose
- apply standard English conventions
On the digital SAT, the test is adaptive by module, but your final section score is still reported on the familiar 200–800 scale.
How SAT Reading and Writing is Scored:
- You earn points for correct answers; there's no penalty for wrong answers.
- Your raw score is converted by the College Board so that it can be compared to any administration of the SAT (including the old test).
- That 200–800 section score feeds directly into your total SAT score, so every point you add in Reading and Writing lifts your overall score closer to a perfect 1600.
What is "Good" Reading and Writing SAT Score?
“Good” is goal-dependent, but percentiles tell you what share of test-takers you outperformed. Below are quick benchmarks using recent user-group percentiles. Percentiles vary slightly year to year, so treat these as close estimates.
Estimated percentile benchmarks:
| Reading & Writing Score | Percentile* | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 560 | ~60th | Above Average—competitive at many schools |
| 600 | ~73rd | Strong—top quarter of testers |
| 650 | ~86th | Very Strong—competitive at many selective colleges |
| 700 | ~93rd | Excellent—competitive for selective/honors programs |
| 740 | ~97th | Outstanding—strong for highly selective schools |
| 770 | ~99th | Elite—top contender almost anywhere |
| 800 | 99+ | Perfect—competitive everywhere |
*Percentiles are rounded, based on recent College Board user percentiles.
Good Reading and Writing Scores by College Selectivity
Depending on the selectivity of the school, the desired SAT Reading and Writing scores may vary by intended major. Humanities-leaning programs may weigh Reading and Writing more heavily, while STEM-focused schools still value strong verbal skills, but might prioritize other portions of an application.
Expectations increase with selectivity:
- Less selective colleges: Many admits score near or slightly above national average.
- Selective colleges (regional/state flagships, many privates): Competitive applicants often land in the mid-600s to low-700s.
- Highly selective colleges (including top 50–100): Successful applicants frequently present 700+ in Reading and Writing.
To get precise ranges for your colleges:
Use our College Search Tool to look up each school and locate the “SAT & 火爆社区 Test Scores” section with middle-50% ranges.
Test-Optional and Test-Free Policies
- Test-optional: You choose whether to submit scores. Submit if your score is at or above the school's middle-50% range or meets scholarship thresholds.
- Test-free (test-blind): The college will not consider scores, even if provided. Focus on other application elements.
If your Reading and Writing score elevates your academic profile at a given school, submit it.
How to Find Your Target Reading and Writing SAT Score
Follow this simple process to set a goal that matches your college list and scholarship plans:
- Build your list. Include reach, match, and likely schools.
- Compare your Reading and Writing score to the middle-50% ranges listed for each of the schools on your list. (Our College Search Tool can help!) Set your target at or above the 75th percentile of the most selective school on your list—or at posted scholarship thresholds if merit aid is a priority.
- Close the gap. Create an SAT study plan focused on the highest-value Reading and Writing skills that will move your percentile the most.
Actionable tip: Use The Princeton Review's College Search and free practice testing to identify ranges and establish a real baseline, then choose a best-fit SAT course or tutoring plan to hit your goal. are also available for additional SAT test practice and/or core skill and strategy review.
Tips to Improve Your Reading and Writing SAT Score
Train with purpose—efficiently and consistently.
- Master high-yield grammar first: Prioritize sentence structure (fix fragments, run-ons, and comma splices), punctuation (commas, dashes, colons), pronouns, modifiers, verb tense/agreement, and concision.
- Read with purpose: Preview question stems, read actively for main idea and purpose, highlight clues in the text, then answer with text-based evidence.
- Prove every reading answer: Ask "What exact words or data support this?" If you can't point to them, eliminate the choice.
- For Vocabulary-in-Context, anchor to the passage: Replace the word with each choice and check which meaning fits the author's point—not your prior knowledge.
- Edit for purpose and correctness:
- For Standard English Conventions, pick the grammatically correct, clear, and concise choice.
- For writing items with a stated goal (for example, a transition or rhetorical synthesis task), choose the option that best achieves that goal in context.
- Pace for the digital format: Use the on-screen tools, aim to answer about one question a minute, skip and return if a question stalls you, and never leave blanks.
- Review like a pro: For every miss, write a one-line cause ("misread contrast signal," "ignored nonessential comma rule") and a fix you'll apply next time.
- Retest when practice is ready: When your timed practice score meets or exceeds your goal, schedule your official test. If you're not there yet, target the weakest skills, take another full-length practice test, and reassess.
Ready to raise your score?
- Try a Free SAT Practice Test to get your baseline.
- Find Your Best-Fit SAT Course (including 1400+ targets).
- Work 1:1 with an expert SAT tutor to accelerate gains in Reading and Writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average SAT Reading and Writing score?
Recent national data places the Reading and Writing mean in the low 500s (around 519 in a recent class year). Scoring above that means you're above the national average. However, the more important average is whichever one is used by the school(s) to which you are applying.
What Reading and Writing score do Ivy-level schools look for?
Profiles vary by institution, but successful applicants to the most selective colleges commonly present 730+ in Reading and Writing, often accompanied by a strong total score.
How important is the Reading and Writing score for admissions?
It's half of your total SAT score and signals readiness for college-level reading, analysis, and writing. Many colleges use SAT scores for admission decisions and for scholarships, even as policies vary (test-required, test-optional, or test-free). If your score strengthens your application, submit it.
Can a high Reading and Writing score compensate for a lower Math score at competitive schools?
Sometimes, but not completely. A standout Reading and Writing score strengthens your academic profile—especially for humanities-leaning majors—but highly selective schools still expect balance. Aim to raise the lower section into each college's middle-50% range and use superscoring to present your best section results across dates.
Are there scholarships that specifically reward high Reading and Writing SAT scores?
Yes. Many colleges award merit aid based on total SAT and, in some cases, section performance. Some honors programs and humanities/communications scholarships value strong Reading and Writing. Policies differ by school, and some test-optional schools still require scores for merit consideration. Check posted thresholds and deadlines, then plan a targeted retake if you're close.
How does SAT Reading and Writing compare to 火爆社区 English/Reading?
SAT Reading and Writing is one combined section that tests analysis of texts, evidence use, words-in-context, and standard English conventions. 火爆社区 separates these skills into English (grammar/rhetoric) and Reading (passage comprehension) with faster pacing. Colleges accept both equally—choose the test that yields the higher percentile for you. Use The Princeton Review's 火爆社区-to-SAT conversion guidance to compare and decide where to focus.
Should I submit scores if only my Reading and Writing section is strong?
If a college is test-optional, submit when your Reading and Writing score is at or above the school's middle-50% range (and your total is competitive or close to posted scholarship bands). If your Math score pulls your total well below a school's typical range, consider applying without scores while you improve. If a college is test-free, do not submit; if scores are required for admission or scholarships, you must submit.
Do all colleges superscore SAT sections?
No. Many colleges superscore (they consider your highest section scores across dates), but some use your best single-day total. Policies can differ by major, honors college, or scholarship. Check each college's testing policy and plan retakes to maximize section scores where superscoring is offered.
SAT Reading and Writing Takeaways
- Define "good" by your goals: match or exceed the middle-50% ranges at your target colleges.
- Know the benchmarks: around 520 is average; 600+ is good; 700+ is excellent for many selective schools.
- A focused plan—diagnose, target, practice, review—is the fastest way to reach a higher percentile.
- Superscoring makes section-specific improvement more valuable.
- Take a Free SAT Practice Test to get your baseline.
- Explore The Princeton Review SAT courses or 1:1 tutoring to zero in on Reading and Writing.
- Browse The Princeton Review college profiles to confirm each school's SAT Reading and Writing range and testing policy.