Is a 1180 a good SAT score?

Hey guys! I recently got my SAT scores, and I got a 1180. Is that a good score? Will it be enough to get into decent colleges, or should I retake the SAT? Any advice would be appreciated.

A 1180 SAT score can be considered a solid score, depending on the colleges you're interested in and the rest of your application. While it might not be competitive for highly-selective schools, it certainly doesn't mean you can't get into numerous colleges with good programs. To better understand the context of your score, the national average SAT score is around 1050-1060. Your score of 1180 places you above this average.

It's essential to consider the context of the schools you're planning to apply to. Look up the middle 50% of SAT scores for those schools, keeping in mind that you want to be at or above the middle quartile. If your score falls well within this range or above, you should be competitive as long as the other aspects of your application (grades, extracurricular activities, etc.) are also strong.

However, if you find that the schools you're applying to have significantly higher middle 50% SAT score ranges, you may want to consider retaking the SAT if you have the opportunity. Preparing and studying more effectively for a retake could lead to potential improvement. Some colleges are also test-optional, meaning they don't require you to submit SAT or ACT scores. This could be advantageous if you feel other parts of your application (GPA, coursework, extracurriculars, essays) are stronger than your standardized test performance.

Ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether retaking the SAT is the best decision for your individual situation. Consider your potential for improvement, the schools you're interested in, and the admissions deadlines when deciding whether to retake the test. Best of luck!