Can You Beat These 15 Celebrity SAT Scores?
The college testing season can breed a sense of comparison and competition among students. But your classmates aren’t the only ones you can compare your test scores to — many celebrities have also disclosed their SAT scores.
We’ve found 15 celebrity SAT scores from a variety of tech founders, athletes, musicians, authors, and actors.
Keep in mind that these celebrity SAT scores are sourced by word of mouth and are not verified by the College Board or any official documentation.
Celebrity SAT Scores: How Does Your Score Stack Up?
Not many celebrities have shared their SAT scores. Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, tops the list with a perfect score. Meanwhile, both Ben Affleck and Will Smith claim they earned near-perfect scores.
Some other celebrities scored lower on the scale, like Howard Stern and Alex Rodriguez — proof that the SAT is not necessarily a reliable indicator of success.
| Celebrity | Alleged SAT Score | School |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Zuckerberg | 1600 | Harvard University |
| Ben Affleck | “Near perfect” | Occidental College, University of Vermont |
| Will Smith | “Near perfect” | N/A |
| Bill O’Reilly | 1585 | Marist College |
| Kesha | 1500 | N/A |
| Natalie Portman | 1400+ | Harvard University |
| Stephen King | 1300+ | University of Maine |
| Jesse Eisenberg | 1260 | The New School |
| Derek Jeter | 1200 | University of Michigan |
| Courtney Cox | 1150 | Mount Vernon College |
| Kobe Bryant | 1080 | N/A |
| Scarlett Johansson | 1080 | N/A |
| Peyton Manning | 1030 | University of Tennessee |
| Alex Rodriguez | 900 | N/A |
| Howard Stern | 830 | Boston University |
What Is a Good SAT Score?
Generally, a 1200 — or around the 75th percentile — can be considered a good SAT score. The average SAT score in 2021 was 1088 out of 1600. Percentiles and averages can change slightly each year depending on how that year’s pool of test-takers performed.
More competitive schools may prefer an SAT score in the top 5% of test-takers, or around 1400 or higher, whereas less competitive schools may admit students with scores closer to the national average.
Some universities publish the average SAT scores of admitted students on their websites. This data can help you determine a target score to aim for. Competitive universities and Ivy League schools typically have a higher average SAT score.
Should You Take the SAT?
In the past few years, many colleges have adopted test-optional admissions policies, meaning you can choose whether to send your SAT scores or not. That said, many schools still require you to submit SAT or ACT scores with your college application.
Taking the test at least once could be a good idea, if only to see what score you get. Remember that a good SAT score can improve your chances of admission at many universities.
We recommend looking into the application requirements and average SAT scores for your dream schools before you take the test.