How Good is a 1400 on the SAT?

A 1400 SAT score is a strong achievement that demonstrates solid academic ability. In this guide, we'll examine how college admissions officers view this score and what it means for your college applications.

What Does a 1400 SAT Score Mean?

A 1400 on the SAT places you in a competitive position for many colleges. Let's analyze what this score means from an admissions perspective:

• Statistical Standing

  With a 1400, you've reached the 93rd percentile of all test-takers. This means you've outperformed about 93% of students who took the SAT - a significant accomplishment that catches the attention of admissions officers.

  A 1400 is a solid score that are many students' end goals, and it is also considered a milestone score for many outstandingcolleges.

• College Admissions Perspective

  From an admissions standpoint, a 1400 makes you a competitive candidate at most US universities. This includes a wide selection of public and private universities across all 50 states, many of which are world-famous top-100 schools.

  For top-30 and especially top-20 schools (especially Ivies and Stanford, MIT, and Caltech), however, a 1400 is not as competitive. If your goal is to get into one of these top schools, we recommend you retake the SAT and try to score at least 1500. You will also need to supplement your application with other impressive elements such as strong extracurriculars, high GPA with challenging courses, and glowing letters of recommendation.

  One final note: Admissions officers typically view a 1400 as evidence that you can handle rigorous academic work, but only if the rest of your application is equally as strong. If your unweighted GPA is 3.0 or lower, for example, your 1400 will not be enough to compensate for this deficiency.

• Financial Aid Impact

  Many universities offer merit scholarships to students scoring in the 1400 range. This score level often qualifies you for significant institutional aid at many colleges, though the amount of aid will vary.

  While the most competitive national scholarships might require higher scores, a 1400 opens doors to numerous merit-based financial aid opportunities.

Making the Most of Your 1400

To maximize the impact of your 1400 SAT score, consider these strategies:

• Strategic College Selection

  Research schools where a 1400 aligns well with their middle 50% range. Consider:

  • Strong state universities

  • Selective private colleges

  • Liberal arts colleges known for holistic admissions

  To get started with your research, try our college SAT score lookup tool to find schools where a 1400 is competitive.

• Scholarship Research

  Look for institutions where your score might qualify you for merit aid. Focus on:

  • Automatic merit scholarships

  • Competitive scholarship programs

  • Department-specific awards

  To get started with your research, try our college scholarship tracker tool to find scholarships, deadlines , and how to apply.

Should You Retake the SAT?

The decision to retake the SAT with a 1400 depends on several factors:

• Consider Retaking If:

  • Your target schools have significantly higher middle 50% ranges

  • You're seeking specific scholarships requiring higher scores

  • You believe you can improve substantially with additional preparation

• Stick with Your 1400 If:

  • It's competitive for your target schools

  • You've already taken the test multiple times

  • Your time would be better spent strengthening other parts of your application