Key takeaways
Illinois high school students are increasingly relying on SAT scores for college admissions, with the average score projected to be 1,050 in 2025, slightly above the national average of 1,040. Understanding the factors influencing these scores and effective preparation strategies is crucial for students aiming for competitive colleges.
- The average SAT score in Illinois for 2025 is predicted to be 1,050, with 520 in math and 530 in reading and writing (source: article).
- Socioeconomic status, access to SAT prep resources, and school quality significantly impact SAT performance.
- Approximately 141,846 students in Illinois took the SAT in the class of 2024, representing a 96% participation rate among high school graduates (source: article).
- Implementing structured study schedules and utilizing available prep resources can enhance students' SAT scores effectively.
Contents
- 1 What is the Average SAT Score in Illinois for 2025?
- 2 How to Prepare for the SAT in Illinois High Schools?
- 3 What is the SAT Score Benchmark for College Admissions in Illinois?
- 4 How Do Illinois SAT Scores Compare to Other States?
- 5 What Impact Does Participation in SAT Have on Average Scores in Illinois?
Illinois highschoolers use SATs as a major determinant of getting accepted into college. The end of the academic year 2025 approaches and it is time to prepare for the academic year 2026, so students have to realize what average SAT scores are in Illinois and how they compare to the rest of the country.
The article discusses the typical scores in SAT, the availability of useful materials and the expectations on college admission and the performance of Illinois compared to the other states in SAT.

What is the Average SAT Score in Illinois for 2025?
How does the average score compare to the national average?
According to the predictions, the average SAT in Illinois will be 1,050 (520 in math and 530 in reading and writing) in 2025. This means that there is some slight improvement over the last few years and this means that the students of Illinois are achieving higher scores in their SATs.
The scores shown by Illinois students are slightly higher than 1,040 national average of 1,040.
What factors contribute to the average SAT score in Illinois?
Here are some factors that students need to know that could contribute to the average SAT score in the state they live in listed below:
- Socioeconomic status, SAT prep resources, and high school quality significantly impact SAT scores.
- Access to SAT preparatory courses leads to better performance.
- School district resources and robust academic programs can boost SAT scores.
- Parental involvement and school funding also influence SAT performance.
Which high schools in Illinois have the highest average SAT scores?
| Rank | School Name | Average SAT Score | Math | Verbal | Graduation Rate |
| 1 | Adlai E. Stevenson High School | 1263 | 614 | 598 | 95% |
| 2 | Hinsdale Central High School | 1231 | 612 | 619 | 96% |
| 3 | Glenbrook South High School | 1179 | 593 | 587 | 96.9% |
| 4 | William Fremd High School | 1155 | 583 | 572 | 94% |
| 5 | Vernon Hills High School | 1145 | 581 | 564 | 96% |
| 6 | John Hersey High School | 1142 | 564 | 578 | 96% |
| 7 | Naperville Central High School | 1142 | 571 | 571 | 97% |
| 8 | Libertyville High School | 1139 | 577 | 562 | 95% |
| 9 | Prospect High School | 1135 | 567 | 568 | 94% |
| 10 | Deerfield High School | 1181 | 587 | 594 | 96% |
How to Prepare for the SAT in Illinois High Schools?
What are the best SAT prep resources available for Illinois students?
Here are some incredible SAT preparation resources that students can use to improve their SAT score shown below:
| Resource | Type | Features | Cost | Website |
| Khan Academy | Online Course | Official College Board partner, full practice tests, personalized practice | Free | khanacademy.org |
| College Board | Official Practice | Practice questions, daily questions, full-length tests | Free | collegeboard.org |
| Princeton Review | Online/Books/Tutoring | Practice tests, video lessons, score guarantees, private tutoring | Paid (varies) | princetonreview.com |
| Kaplan | Online/Books/Tutoring | Practice quizzes, live online classes, test strategies | Paid (varies) | kaptest.com |
| Magoosh | Online Course | Study schedules, video lessons, practice questions | Paid ($129+) | magoosh.com |
How can students in Illinois effectively study for the SAT?
Here is how students can study for the SAT shown below:
- Implement a structured study schedule for each SAT section.
- Regular practice with official SAT questions to familiarize with test format and question types.
- Join study groups for collaborative learning and knowledge sharing.
- Utilize SAT prep books for comprehensive reviews and practice tests.
What role do high schools play in SAT preparation?
Illinois high schools help students prepare for the SAT by offering assistance, guidance and different resources. Many schools now teach students SAT prep skills as part of their schedule.
Many counselors direct students to the best SAT prep courses and assure them that their scores matter for getting into college. Schools could set up days when students take practice tests, so they understand what to expect on the SAT. Involvement from high schools in SAT preparation can truly boost both students’ confidence and their scores on the exam.

What is the SAT Score Benchmark for College Admissions in Illinois?
What SAT scores are considered competitive for Illinois colleges?
The competitive SAT scores needed for college admission in Illinois differ from one institution to another. Many public colleges such as the University of Illinois, are competitive with scores of 1,200 or more, but selective schools may require scores that go well over 1,400.
How do Illinois colleges use SAT scores in their admissions process?
Illinois scores in SAT ranks it among the middle of all the states. The average score of the state on the SAT is better than the national average but not as good as the best-performing states.
The ranking identifies the areas Illinois is doing well in education and the issues which Illinois faces. The solution to enhancing the state results in the SAT involves equitable distribution of education, access to resources and the student engagement level.
What are some common misconceptions about SAT scores in college admissions?
Several misconceptions surround SAT scores in college admissions and here are some of them listed below:
- A perfect score guarantees admission to top colleges – admissions committees consider various factors, including personal achievements and character.
- Only high scores in math guarantee success – neglecting the importance of reading and writing sections will be detrimental to a highschooler’s application.
How Do Illinois SAT Scores Compare to Other States?
What are the average SAT scores by state in 2025?
Here are top 10 states that have the highest SAT scores by state as of 2025 shown below:
| Rank | State | Average SAT Score | Math | EBRW | Participation Rate |
| 1 | North Dakota | 1287 | 652 | 634 | 1% |
| 2 | Kansas | 1256 | 626 | 619 | 2% |
| 3 | Wyoming | 1253 | 631 | 622 | 2% |
| 4 | Nebraska | 1252 | 631 | 621 | 1% |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 1236 | 615 | 621 | 2% |
| 6 | Utah | 1239 | 621 | 618 | 2% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 1215 | 607 | 608 | 3% |
| 8 | South Dakota | 1208 | 605 | 602 | 1% |
| 9 | Kentucky | 1208 | 616 | 592 | 2% |
| 10 | Iowa | 1208 | 610 | 598 | 2% |
Here are top 5 states that have the lowest SAT scores by state as of 2025 shown below:
| Rank | State | Average SAT Score | Math | EBRW | Participation Rate |
| 1 | New Mexico | 901 | 458 | 444 | 94% |
| 2 | West Virginia | 923 | 478 | 445 | 90% |
| 3 | District of Columbia | 969 | 495 | 474 | 100% |
| 4 | Indiana | 971 | 489 | 482 | 100% |
| 5 | Michigan | 967 | 493 | 474 | 97% |
How does Illinois rank among other states in SAT scores?
The state of Illinois is near the middle when it comes to SAT scores. Mississippi’s SAT scores are above average for the country but below those of the best-performing states. This ranking shows what Illinois is doing well in education and what challenges it faces. Educational equity, access to resources and how interested students are all play a big role in improving SAT performance in Illinois.
What trends are observed in SAT scores across different states?
The results in the SAT demonstrate that more states are giving attention to the college readiness and the performance in the standardized tests. States that have fully trained students or incorporated SAT testing in high school courses score higher on an average basis.
Conversely, the states that have low participation of students tend to have low average scores. Moreover, the number of schools that declare test scores optional is increasing, so the participation rates and the average score can change within the next couple of years.
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What Impact Does Participation in SAT Have on Average Scores in Illinois?
How many students in Illinois take the SAT each year?
The SAT is a compulsory test among high school students in Illinois which explains why the participation rate is high. In the class of 2024, SAT was taken by about 141,846 students, which comprises 96% of high school graduates in the state.
What is the correlation between participation rates and average scores?
The number of students involved is related to the average scores of SAT in Illinois. By having more students take the SAT, even those who are not intending to attend college, the average score can decrease.
Consequently, average scores may be dragged down by students who enroll to take the SAT with little or no preparation or interest. When a large number of students participate and are well prepared, they can even perform better in tests because motivated students perform well.
How does the SAT participation in Illinois compare to national trends?
The state participation in SAT is higher than the national participation. The state is steadily on the same trend, although the trend is declining in some states due to the emergence of the ACT. The SAT is also essential in joining local colleges and universities hence the motivation to take the test in order to increase chances of joining the institutions.


