I just got my SAT scores back and I scored a 1080. Is that a decent score? I'm aiming for colleges like Arizona State University and University of Oregon. Should I retake it to improve my chances or is this good enough? Any advice would be super helpful!
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A 1080 SAT score falls near the middle of all test-takers nationwide, placing you at approximately the 54th percentile. For many public universities, including Arizona State University and University of Oregon, a 1080 sits within their typical acceptance range, though it's on the lower end of their middle 50% range.
At Arizona State University, the middle 50% of admitted students score between 1120 and 1350, while University of Oregon's middle range typically falls between 1100 and 1310. Your score of 1080 puts you slightly below these ranges, which means retaking the SAT could strengthen your application. Improving your score by even 50-100 points would position you more competitively within these schools' typical admission ranges.
When deciding whether to retake the SAT, consider your overall application strategy. If you have a strong GPA, impressive extracurricular activities, and compelling essays, your current SAT score might be sufficient. However, if you have time before application deadlines and feel you could score higher with additional preparation, retaking the test could improve your chances of admission and potentially qualify you for better merit-based scholarships.
Many students see score improvements of 50-100 points on their second attempt, simply because they're more familiar with the test format and timing. Consider taking a practice test to gauge potential improvement before committing to retaking the official exam. Remember that both ASU and Oregon accept superscores, meaning they'll consider your highest section scores across multiple test dates, which can work to your advantage if you decide to retake the test.
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