How Competitive is an SAT Score of 1400?

Hey there, folks! I just got my SAT scores back and scored a 1400. I know it's not bad, but I'm really aiming for a top-tier school. Just wondering if anyone can tell me how competitive this score is and if I should consider retaking it?

Though your SAT score of 1400 is a good score and is certainly competitive for many colleges and universities, it will fall below the median for some top-tier institutions. For context, a 1400 SAT score places you in the 93rd percentile of all test-takers.

Colleges like Yale University and Harvard University have mid-50% SAT scores in the range of 1500-1560 and 1500-1580 respectively. For these types of schools, a 1400 would be below the range of the majority of their admitted students, which may lead to your test score being a slight disadvantage.

However, remember that SAT scores are only one part of your application. A lower-than-average test score can sometimes be offset by impressive extracurricular activities, strong grades, or exceptional letters of recommendation. It's always important to approach your application holistically.

If you feel you can perform better on the test, and you have the ability and time to prepare and retake it, then you could consider doing so. Retaking the SAT after some additional study could give you a chance to increase your score and make your application more competitive. However, make sure to balance this with your coursework and extracurricular commitments, as those are also highly important.

Remember to check each college's policies as some have gone test-optional, meaning they do not require SAT or ACT scores as part of the application. You have the option of whether or not to submit your score to these colleges. For example, Stanford University and Columbia University are still test-optional for the 2024-2025 application cycle.