What is a Bad SAT Score? – Nationally and By College

If you are a recent SAT test taker – and wondering whether the SAT test score received is a bad score or a good SAT score then you’ve come to the right place.

Let’s find out what is considered a bad SAT score and whether you should retake the SAT test in detail.

A Bad SAT Score [Low 25% SAT Percentile]

Any SAT score below 870 is considered a bad SAT score and it’s in the lower 25% SAT Percentile. 

According to the 2020 SAT, 1050-1060 is the average SAT score that a test taker could score. Any score higher than that is considered a good SAT score. For Ivy League, you may need to get a score higher than 1400 SAT Score.

Let’s find out what is considered a Bad SAT Score in 2022.

What is Considered a Bad SAT Score Nationally?

According to the 2020 SAT Total Group Annual Report, the average SAT score is 1050-1060 and anything below is considered a below-average SAT score. Section-wise, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score below 527 is below average, while a Math score below 522 is below average.

According to 2020 SAT percentiles, a score below 870 is in the lower 25% nationally. So, if your SAT score is below 870 then you are in the lower range or you have a bad SAT score compared to a national average SAT score.

What Does College Consider as a Bad SAT Score?

While the SAT Score can be compared with the national average SAT score – it is more vital to think about the SAT score of the schools you want to attend.

If your SAT score is below the national average, – but it is still in the range of the SAT average score of the school you want to get in then you still have a chance of getting accepted to that school.

Should You Retake the SAT Exam?

If your SAT score is below the national average SAT score, but still you can get into the school you want to attend – then there is no reason to take the SAT test again.

However, if you have a lower SAT score than the school’s average SAT score – then consider retaking the SAT test with much more preparation than the last time. To test your knowledge you could try downloadable practice SAT tests available online.

What are low SAT scores?

There is no pass or fail in the SAT test. The test takers can get a score between 400 and 1600 on their test where each section is measured with 200-800 scores. So, the lowest score you could get on SAT test is 400 while scores below 800 is considered a low SAT score.

The Conclusion – What is a Bad SAT Score

The average SAT Score in 2020 was recorded as 1050-1060 and even below scores were good enough for getting accepted to many schools. Any SAT score below 870 is considered a bad SAT score and it’s in the lower 25% SAT Percentile which has the lowest options.