Is a 1250 SAT score percentile good enough for decent colleges?

Hey there! I scored a 1250 on the SAT and I'm curious about how competitive my score is. Would this be considered a good enough score to get into some decent colleges, or should I consider retaking the test?

A 1250 SAT score is generally considered to be a good score that can make you competitive for a variety of colleges. To give you some perspective, a 1250 score places you around the 80th percentile, meaning you've scored higher than around 80% of test-takers.

However, the competitiveness of your SAT score heavily depends on the specific colleges you're interested in applying to. "Decent colleges" can be interpreted differently by different people, so it would be helpful to research the middle 50% SAT score ranges of the colleges on your list. This will provide you with a clearer idea of where your score stands compared to those who are typically admitted to these institutions.

If you find that your SAT score is close to or within the middle 50% range for the schools you're interested in, there is a good chance your score will make you reasonably competitive. Keep in mind that colleges also consider many other factors beyond test scores, such as your GPA, coursework, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. A strong overall application can help make up for a slightly lower SAT score.

If, after researching the schools on your list, you find that your SAT score is significantly below the middle 50% range, it might be worth retaking the test to try and improve your score. Remember that many colleges are now test-optional, and you can still be considered for admission without submitting an SAT score at these institutions. However, if you're aiming for merit-based scholarships or highly selective programs, a higher SAT score can be beneficial.

Regardless of your decision to retake the test or not, focus on other parts of your application to present the best possible overall application package. Good luck!