How Good is a 1090 SAT Score?

A 1090 SAT score falls around the 58th percentile nationally, meaning you scored higher than about 58% of test-takers. For college admissions, this score would be considered slightly above average, though its competitiveness varies significantly depending on where you're applying.

For SUNY schools, a 1090 SAT score puts you within range for many campuses, though it falls below the middle 50% range for more selective schools like Binghamton or Stony Brook. At SUNY Albany, your score falls within their middle 50% range of 1070-1260, making you a competitive applicant. SUNY Oneonta and SUNY Cortland typically accept students with similar scores, placing you squarely in their target range.

For the University of Pittsburgh's main campus, your score falls slightly below their middle 50% range of 1260-1440. While you could still be admitted based on other strong application components, improving your SAT score would strengthen your chances considerably.

Whether to retake the SAT depends on several factors. If you didn't prepare extensively for your first attempt, you likely have room for improvement. Most students see score increases of 50-100 points with focused preparation. Consider retaking if you have time before application deadlines and can dedicate several weeks to studying. However, if you're already in your senior year with approaching deadlines, you might better spend your time strengthening other aspects of your application, such as your essays, extracurricular activities, or maintaining strong grades.

Remember that colleges practice holistic admissions, meaning they consider your entire application package, not just test scores. Strong grades, compelling essays, and meaningful extracurricular activities can often compensate for test scores that fall slightly below a school's typical range.