Is 1250 bad for SAT?
Asked by: Eleanore Satterfield MD | Last update: October 11, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (17 votes)
A 1250 is generally considered a solid score on the SAT! How "good" it is, however, largely depends on the colleges you're interested in and their average accepted scores. Let's break it down: An average score on the SAT is around 1060, so your 1250 is definitely above average nationally.
How bad is a 1250 SAT score?
A 1250 SAT score is generally considered a good score — it makes you an eligible and competitive candidate at a majority of schools. It also has the added perk of putting you in the merit aid range, meaning that you'll likely earn some cash for college just for your score!
How rare is a 1250 SAT?
1250 SAT Score Standings
Out of the 2.13 million test-takers, 402824 scored the same or higher than you. You can apply to 1239 colleges and have a good shot at getting admitted.
Should I retake a 1250 SAT?
If it's enough for your dream college (75th percentile to be safe), then yes. Compared to all test takers a 1250 is not the best but not bad either. The only concern is the difference between the Math and English scores, so if you can bump that English up to 600 that'd be a good improvement.
Can you get into Harvard with a 1200 SAT?
Top universities like Harvard University and Stanford University are highly competitive, often requiring SAT scores above 1400. While a 1200 score falls below their average range, strong academic performance, leadership achievements, and compelling essays can still help you stand out.
Is 1250 a good SAT score?
Did Will Smith get a 1600 on the SAT?
Will Smith SAT score was a perfect 1600. A rare score few people have earned. Despite this incredible score, Will chose not to attend college, did not even enroll, and decided to pursue his career in music.
Should I retake the SAT if I got a 1200?
Should I Retake the SAT with a 1200 Score? A 1200 is a great score and makes you a competitive applicant at a number of institutions. However, if you want to increase your score, either to become eligible or competitive at more selective institutions or for more merit aid, junior year is a great time for that.
Is a 1250 PSAT bad?
A good PSAT score is between 1210 and 1520, which would put you in the top 10% of all test-takers. The average PSAT score is about 920, and a “perfect” score on the PSAT would be the maximum score of 1520. The PSAT score you need to earn a National Merit Scholarship varies by state.
Can I get into MIT with a 1250 SAT?
MIT SAT Score Analysis
In other words, a 1520 places you below average, while a 1570 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute SAT requirement at MIT, but they really want to see at least a 1520 to have a chance at being considered.
Is a 1290 on the SAT bad?
A 1290 SAT score is a solid score for college admissions, but its competitiveness largely depends on the specific schools you're interested in applying to. It's important to know that even with a 1290, you can still gain admission to many colleges and universities across the country.
Is 1260 a bad SAT score?
A 1260 places you in approximately the 87th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 87% of all test-takers. This score may be competitive for some colleges, but less so for others, particularly highly selective institutions.
Can I get into Yale with a 1250 SAT?
The 25th percentile New SAT score is 1500, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1560. In other words, a 1500 places you below average, while a 1560 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute SAT requirement at Yale, but they really want to see at least a 1500 to have a chance at being considered.
Can you get a scholarship with a 1250 SAT score?
Zero scholarships will come from an SAT score of 1250, but you should still feel good that you scored in the 81st percentile. It means that only 19% of students did better than you. Also, you should still apply for scholarships. There are so many generous donors out there who give money for a variety of reasons.
Is 1000 OK on the SAT?
Typically, a 1000 SAT score falls below the average scores for highly selective colleges and universities. However, for less selective schools, it could be adequate. To get an idea of how your score compares, look up the average SAT scores for the colleges you plan to apply to.
Is 1100 SAT score ok?
An 1100 SAT score is actually around the national average which is somewhere near the 1050 - 1060 range, so it's certainly not a bad score! If you are targeting more competitive universities or colleges though, you might find the average SAT scores are somewhat higher.
Should I submit my 1250 SAT score?
A 1250 is generally considered a solid score on the SAT! How "good" it is, however, largely depends on the colleges you're interested in and their average accepted scores. Let's break it down: An average score on the SAT is around 1060, so your 1250 is definitely above average nationally.
Is a 4.3 GPA good for MIT?
You're in great shape with a 4.3-weighted GPA and a perfect 4.0 unweighted GPA. MIT, like many top-tier institutions, tends to admit students with strong academic profiles.
Why is SAT prep so expensive?
Expert Instructors: High-quality teachers with proven track records are in high demand, and their expertise doesn't come cheap. 2. Limited Class Sizes: To ensure each student gets individual attention, class sizes are often limited, thereby increasing the cost per student.
What is a top 1% PSAT score?
Of course, a perfect score is a good score! A perfect score on the PSAT is a 1520. If you're in 10th grade and you score between 1420 and 1520, you're in the top 1% of all test takers (99th percentile). If you're in 11th grade, anything between a 1490 and 1520 places you in the top 1%.
What is the 99th percentile?
The 99th percentile is a statistical concept that represents the value below which 99% of a given data set falls. In other words, it's the value that puts you just below the top 1% of the population. Let me illustrate this with an example: Test Scores: Imagine you take a test, and your score is 95 out of 100.
Is 970 a good SAT score?
In other words, a 970 places you below average, while a 1210 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute SAT requirement at College for Creative Studies, but they really want to see at least a 970 to have a chance at being considered. Exclusive: Want to learn how to improve your SAT score by 160 points?
How rare is a 1200 SAT?
1200 SAT Score Standings
Out of the 2.13 million test-takers, 552344 scored the same or higher than you. You can apply to 1099 colleges and have a good shot at getting admitted.
Should I retake a 1290 SAT score?
While a 1290 SAT score is commendable, it might not be sufficient for admission to highly selective colleges. Despite placing you in the 87th percentile nationally, it falls short of the average scores at many top-tier schools. This doesn't diminish your achievement of outscoring the majority of test-takers.
Does it look bad if my SAT score went down?
For the two US schools that require all scores, a lower score will certainly not look “good”. Bad to neutral, at best.