The class of 2026 posted a mean SAT score of 1045, up 16 points from the class of 2025, according to the College Board’s 2026 SAT Suite Annual Report. The increase is a cohort average, not evidence that every student improved. Participation also fell: more than 1.95 million members of the class of 2026 took the SAT, 2.5% fewer than the previous graduating class.
What the class of 2026 SAT scores show
College Board reported that the class of 2026’s average total score rose for a second consecutive year. The gains were recorded in both sections, with a larger increase in Math than in Reading and Writing.
| Measure | Class of 2026 | Change from class of 2025 | Additional context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean total SAT score | 1045 | Up 16 points | College Board cohort average |
| Reading and Writing | 528 | Up 7 points | Back to pre-pandemic levels, according to College Board |
| Math | 517 | Up 9 points | Below the class of 2020 average of 523 |
These figures compare graduating-class averages. They do not mean that each student’s score rose by 16 points, and the report does not establish why the averages increased.
Scores rose while participation declined
More than 1.95 million students in the class of 2026 took the SAT, 2.5% fewer than in the class of 2025. College Board described this as the first participation decrease since the pandemic-affected class of 2021. The score increase and participation decline are separate findings; the announcement does not show that one caused the other.
#1 Best Overall
The broader SAT Suite reached more than six million students during the 2025–26 school year. That reach includes the suite, not only students who took the SAT.
What the readiness and GPA figures mean
College Board said 42% of SAT takers in the class of 2026 met or exceeded both section readiness benchmarks. For the class of 2019, the comparable share was 45%. College Board interprets meeting both benchmarks as indicating a likelihood of success in credit-bearing coursework across postsecondary pathways. It is a benchmark interpretation, not a guarantee of an individual student’s future results.
The organization also reported that more than 1.3 million students had SAT scores that affirmed or exceeded their high-school GPA. This is College Board’s reported relationship between scores and GPA; it does not establish that the test caused students’ grades or predicts every student’s later performance.
Why the SAT turning 100 matters
The SAT reached its 100th anniversary in 2026. In its September 29, 2026 announcement of the annual report, College Board highlighted both the anniversary and the suite’s reach. Senior vice president of College Readiness Assessments Priscilla Rodriguez said that more than six million students accessing opportunities while average scores increased “speaks to our mission as a nonprofit focused on helping students navigate a life of opportunity after high school—whether their path leads to college, career training, or directly into the workforce.” This is College Board’s description of its mission, not an independent assessment of the suite’s impact.
How to prepare with official SAT resources
Students preparing for the SAT can use the free official resources College Board lists:
- Bluebook: eight full-length practice tests.
- Khan Academy: Official SAT Practice.
- Schoolhouse.world: Official SAT Tutoring.
- Question banks: educator and student question banks, plus SAT Question of the Day.
These are official preparation options; they are not evidence about what caused the class of 2026 score increase. The College Board announcement does not compare commercial prep books or establish the quality of a particular title.
Current SAT score-release timing
College Board says SAT weekend scores are typically available online two to four weeks after test day. Its schedule lists October 3, 2026 as a test date and October 16, 2026 as the student score-release date. Check the College Board score release schedule for the applicable administration and any updates.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Source and scope
The figures and report findings in this article come from College Board’s September 29, 2026 announcement, “As the SAT Turns 100, Nearly 2 Million Students in the Class of 2026 Take the Test.” They are College Board’s reported figures; no independent audit is established by that announcement.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
