Understanding and Improving Bad SAT Scores

What is a Bad SAT Score?

As harsh as it sounds, SAT scores can be bad, but the definition of a bad score is different for everyone.

Typically, this depends on the college(s) students are applying to. If the SAT score falls in the bottom percentile range, around the 10th percentile or lower, that's usually a negative signal to admissions officers. For top 100 schools this number hovers around 1100, for top 50 schools it's around 1200, and for top 20 schools it's about 1350.

We generally recommend aiming for the middle 50% range of scores for the colleges on your list to gauge where you stand.

How to Improve Your SAT Score

Improving your SAT score starts with consistent practice. Regularly doing practice questions helps familiarize you with the test format and question types.

For the Reading and Writing (R/W) sections, memorizing vocabulary can increase your scores a good amount (especially if Word in Context questions are one of your weaknesses). Vocabulary is one of the few English skills tested that can be crammed in a relatively short period of time.

Another tip to boost R/W score is reading English literature and poetry. The new digital SAT contains many passages based on old English literature and poetry (especially literary works from the 19-20th centuries), so being familiar with the writing style of this time period can significantly boost your comprehension and analytical skills. See our book list for free novel PDFs of famous English literature to get started.

For the math section, since many students struggled with the 35-minute time limit, we recommend practicing quick mental math problems to increase efficiency on basic arithmetic.

When Should You Be Worried About Bad SAT Scores?

You should be concerned about your SAT score if it places you in the bottom 10-15% of the applicant pool for the colleges you're applying to. This percentile indicates that your score is significantly lower than most admitted students, something that is typically flagged by admissions officers.

Another negative sign is a significant disparity between your SAT score and other academic achievements, such as having a 4.0 unweighted GPA with an 1100 SAT score. Such a gap might prompt admissions officers to question the consistency of your academic performance.

Do You Have to Submit Bad SAT Scores?

Whether you need to submit bad SAT scores depends on the policies of the colleges you are applying to. For test-optional schools, you are not required to submit SAT scores at all.

Test-blind schools do not consider SAT scores in their admissions process, even if you send them. Some schools offer Score Choice, allowing you to send only your best scores. However, for schools that require all scores, you must submit every SAT score from each test date you attended.

Understanding each college’s specific requirements is crucial in deciding whether to submit your scores.

How Many Times Can You Retake the SAT?

There are no limits on the number of times you can retake the SAT. The College Board recommends taking the SAT at least twice to improve your score.

However, we recommend retaking it a maximum of three times due to the high effort and opportunity cost involved. If you score above 1500 on your first attempt, it is generally unnecessary to take the test again, as this score is competitive for most colleges (and your time can probably be better spent on other application criteria like extracurriculars and GPA).

Balancing preparation time with other academic and extracurricular commitments is essential for optimal college application outcomes.