Is 1340 a good SAT score?

Is 1340 a good SAT score?

I just got my SAT score back, and it's a 1340. How solid is this score? I'm trying to figure out if I should retake it or focus on other parts of my college application. I'm aiming for schools that are pretty competitive, but I'm not sure what range I should be in. Any insights or advice?

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A 1340 SAT score places you in the 91st percentile, meaning you scored better than 91% of test-takers. This is considered a strong score that will make you competitive at many selective colleges and universities. At most public universities and many private colleges, a 1340 puts you well above the average admitted student's score.

For highly selective schools, particularly those ranked in the top 20 nationally, a 1340 falls slightly below the typical admitted student range. These institutions often see median SAT scores between 1400 and 1550. However, your score is still within a competitive range for many excellent colleges, including numerous top-50 universities where the middle 50% of admitted students score between 1300 and 1450.

Whether you should retake the SAT depends primarily on your target schools and the rest of your application profile. Research the average SAT scores for your dream schools' admitted students. If your 1340 falls significantly below their middle 50% range and you believe you can improve with additional preparation, a retake might be worthwhile. However, if your score aligns with or exceeds the averages at your target schools, you'd likely benefit more from focusing on other aspects of your application, such as your essays, extracurricular activities, and maintaining strong grades.

Remember that most colleges practice holistic admissions, meaning they evaluate your entire application, not just test scores. Many students with 1340 SAT scores gain admission to highly selective schools through strong grades, compelling essays, and meaningful extracurricular achievements. Additionally, with test-optional policies becoming more common, some students choose to focus their energy on strengthening other parts of their application rather than retaking the SAT.

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