Just got my SAT results back and got a 1490. I'm kind of freaking out, and I want to know if this score is good enough for competitive colleges or if I should try to take the test again. Would this score make me a strong candidate, or do I need to push for higher?
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A 1490 SAT score is considered exceptionally strong, placing you in the 99th percentile of all test takers. This means you scored better than approximately 99% of students who took the SAT. This score positions you as a competitive applicant for even the most selective colleges and universities, including Ivy League institutions and other top-tier schools.
When considering whether to retake the SAT with a 1490, focus on your target schools' middle 50% range of accepted students' scores. Your 1490 typically falls within or above the middle 50% range for most universities, including highly selective institutions. For reference, many top 20 universities have median SAT scores between 1450 and 1550. Even at schools like Harvard, Yale, and Stanford, a 1490 places you within their competitive range.
Instead of retaking the SAT, your time would likely be better spent strengthening other aspects of your college application. Focus on maintaining strong grades, developing your extracurricular activities, crafting compelling essays, and securing meaningful letters of recommendation. These elements, combined with your already impressive SAT score, will create a well-rounded application that stands out to admission officers.
However, if you're specifically targeting schools where the average SAT score is above 1500, and you believe you can significantly improve your score without sacrificing other aspects of your application, a retake might be worth considering. Just remember that a marginal improvement of 10-20 points typically won't significantly impact your admissions chances, given your already strong score.
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