College Board released its SAT annual report for the class of 2026 on September 29, 2026. Nationwide, more than 1.95 million students in the class of 2026 took the SAT at least once, with an average total score of 1045. The California report shows that the state’s 138,763 test takers averaged 1108. When Irvine students apply to schools that still consider standardized test scores, such as the University of Southern California and Stanford University, these figures serve as a reference point for positioning.
Who is affected
The report matters to 12th graders deciding whether to submit scores and to families planning 11th grade testing. The key points are as follows:
- National: The average total score was 1045, 16 points higher than the previous class, with 528 in Reading and Writing and 517 in Math. The number of test takers fell 2.5% from the previous class, the first decline since the class of 2021. 42% of test takers met the college and career readiness benchmarks in both sections.
- California: The average total score was 1108 (560 in Reading and Writing, 548 in Math), and 54% met both benchmarks. 14% of test takers scored between 1400 and 1600, and 25% scored between 1200 and 1390.
- Testing format: In California, the 57,832 test takers who tested only on weekends averaged 1221, while the 62,205 test takers who tested only on SAT School Day averaged 944.
- Score recipients: 56,681 California test takers designated schools to receive their scores. The most common recipient was the University of Southern California (10,499 students), followed by The University of Texas at Austin and Stanford University.
What to do now
Use the state distribution for positioning, not only the national average. The average for California weekend test takers is well above the national average. When applying to highly competitive private universities, the relevant comparison is the same pool of applicants, not the national average.
Distinguish each school’s testing policy. University of California admissions do not consider SAT or ACT scores; for the policy, see University of California Does Not Consider the SAT or ACT: Origins of the Policy and What Scores Are Still Used For. Whether private universities and out-of-state public universities require scores should be confirmed on each school’s official website. For the registration deadline for the November 7 test, see Brief: November 7 SAT Registration Closes October 23. For school selection and score submission strategy, families can book a consultation through College Admissions Planning.
Sources
- College Board: As the SAT Turns 100, Nearly 2 Million Students in the Class of 2026 Take the Test (September 29, 2026) (accessed October 1, 2026)
- College Board: SAT Suite of Assessments Reports (accessed October 1, 2026)
- College Board: 2026 California SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report (accessed October 1, 2026)
- CSS Profile Opens; Early Deadlines in NovemberThe 2027-28 CSS Profile opened October 1, and USC and Stanford ask early applicants to file in November. Fee waiver rules, both deadlines, and documents to prepare.
- Common App Keeps Its Seven Essay PromptsCommon App keeps last year's seven essay prompts for 2026-27; the open topic was last season's top choice. The prompts and a drafting order for Irvine early applicants.
- Early Deadlines Split Between November 1 and 2November 1, 2026 is a Sunday, and the Common App grid updated September 25 puts some early deadlines on November 2. Dates for colleges Irvine students often apply to.
- UC Clears Up Eight Common Admissions MythsOn September 21 the University of California addressed eight admissions myths, including whether campuses share results and whether aid applications affect admission.
