In 2026, a "good" score in 8th grade standardized tests in the United States typically ranges from the 50th to the 70th percentile. This range is considered to reflect a strong academic performance, as it indicates that a student's scores are above average compared to their peers. The specific cutoffs can vary depending on the test, such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) or state-specific assessments like the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) or the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC).

The NAEP, for instance, provides a national benchmark for student achievement. In 2026, a score at or above the 70th percentile on the NAEP would generally be considered good, as it places a student in the top 30% of their national peers. Similarly, on the PARCC or SBAC, a score at the 70th percentile or higher would indicate a strong performance, as these assessments are designed to measure students' readiness for high school and beyond.

The rationale behind these percentile ranges is rooted in the distribution of scores across the student population. Standardized tests are designed to have a normal distribution, where the majority of students score around the mean (50th percentile). A score in the 50th to 70th percentile range signifies that a student has performed better than the average student but may not necessarily be in the highest echelons of academic achievement.

Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and individual state departments of education provide insights into these percentile ranges. For example, the NCES reports that in 2024, the average score on the NAEP reading assessment was at the 50th percentile, with 29% of students scoring at or above the 70th percentile. Similarly, on the math assessment, the average score was at the 50th percentile, with 30% of students scoring at or above the 70th percentile.

These data points underscore the importance of percentile rankings in evaluating student performance on standardized tests. While absolute scores are also significant, understanding where a student's score falls within the distribution of their peers provides a more comprehensive view of their academic standing.