Is 1520 a Good SAT Score? A Comprehensive Analysis
Scoring 1520 on the SAT is an impressive achievement, but whether it is considered a "good" score depends on various factors. These include your college aspirations, the specific institutions you are targeting, and the overall strength of your application. This article provides a detailed analysis of what a 1520 SAT score means in the context of college admissions, particularly for competitive schools like those in the Ivy League.
Understanding SAT Score Percentiles and Averages
A good starting point is to understand how your score compares to other test-takers. According to The College Board, the national average score for the SAT hovers around 1050. Achieving a score significantly above this average is generally seen as favorable. A score of 1520 places you well above the national average and potentially in a competitive range for many universities.
To get a clearer picture, consider percentile rankings. A percentile rank indicates the percentage of students who scored the same or lower than you. While a score at or above 1470 could strengthen your application depending on the university, keep in mind that this is on the lower end of admitted students' range. Similarly, a score of 1500 would put you in the 25th percentile of all test-takers. A good rule of thumb is to aim for the 75th percentile for each university in the table above.
1520 SAT Score and Ivy League Aspirations
For students aiming for Ivy League schools, the competition is fierce. These institutions typically expect SAT scores near the top of the distribution. While a 1520 is a strong score, its effectiveness depends on the specific school and the applicant pool.
SAT Score Ranges for Ivy League Schools
To assess your competitiveness, it's helpful to examine the SAT score ranges for admitted students at each Ivy League institution. The following table provides a breakdown of the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile scores for the SAT Reading/Writing and Math sections:
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| Institution Name | SAT Reading/Writing | SAT Math |
|---|---|---|
| 25th | 50th | |
| Harvard University | 740 | 760 |
| Columbia University | 730 | 760 |
| Yale University | 740 | 760 |
| Brown University | 740 | 760 |
| Princeton University | 740 | 760 |
| Dartmouth College | 740 | 760 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 730 | 750 |
| Cornell University | 720 | 740 |
Source: 2025 IPEDS database. These average SAT scores were found by adding up the 50th percentile scores for each section of the SAT. That gives a good estimate of the 50th percentile total score, but the precise average scores may be slightly different.
As the data indicates, the 50th percentile scores for most Ivy League schools are almost identical. A 1520 score is competitive, as it falls within the middle 50% SAT scores for admitted students at these institutions. However, it may be on the lower end of the range for some Ivies.
Holistic Review and Other Application Components
It's crucial to remember that the SAT is just one piece of the college admissions puzzle. Admissions officers consider many different factors in the admissions process, like letters of recommendation, academic performance, class rank, and extracurricular involvement. A strong GPA and rigorous coursework can significantly bolster your application, even if your SAT score is not at the very top of the range.
Test-Optional Policies and Strategic Score Submission
The landscape of college admissions has shifted, with many schools adopting test-optional policies. Some schools are test optional or test blind for fall 2026, according to the National Center for Fair & Open Testing, a nonprofit advocacy group. Even at test-optional schools, experts say, a strong score can help an applicant stand out, especially given a rise in grade inflation.
Deciding Whether to Submit Your Score
If your score puts you on a level with the top half of applicants who were accepted, submitting your score will clearly help your application. If your score puts you well below the 25th percentile for admitted students, it’s not going to help your chances of admission. Instead, you may want to consider leaning on other strengths in your application.
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However, you'll still need to "make more thoughtful decisions about what a college might infer about your score or impute your score in the absence of an actual score," says Bruce Reed, co-founder and executive director of Compass Education Group, a test preparation and academic tutoring company. For example, Reed says, "if you are sitting on a 690 and the 'middle 50' starts at 700, the hard rule of thumb would say, 'Don't submit.' But if you don't submit that 690, they might assume you had a 600 or 590. Students often fear that a score is too low to disclose, when in fact, the admissions office might assume the applicant is concealing a score that is lower than it truly is."
If you're unsure about whether to submit scores, reach out to your school of interest, Reed adds. "Colleges are surprisingly and refreshingly open if there are channels to communicate with them. You can often call the office or have a counselor call the office and present a hypothetical, 'Is this a score that you would suggest being included (in my application)?' They'll often give you some guidance because there is this perverse incentive for colleges to only receive the scores that they want to then count and report."
Improving Your SAT Score
If you are not satisfied with your 1520 score and believe you can improve, several strategies can help.
Retaking the SAT
One of the most straightforward solutions to a low SAT score is to retake the exam. The first time you take the SAT, it’s often a learning experience. You get a sense of the test format, the types of questions asked, and the pacing required. Practice is key to improving your scores, but don't overdo it. Taking the SAT too many times may cause your scores to plateau, experts say. "Two to three is the right balance between sufficient and not excessive," Reed says. If something went wrong - like if you had the flu "and it was a complete disaster - maybe there's a fourth time. At some point, time runs out on you. You're not going to see scores magically climb purely from repetition. There's a familiarity piece to it, but we generally like to see tests spaced out a little bit with some thoughtful preparation or review to address some of the weaker areas of the test before you retest. That just takes time."
Utilizing Test Preparation Resources
There are also many resources to help you improve your SAT score. The College Board, which administers the SAT, provides full-length practice tests. Then, once you know where your weak and strong spots are, you can practice the areas you need to focus on using the College Board’s SAT Question Bank, which allows you to filter thousands of questions by topic and difficulty level. Besides College Board resources, there are some excellent third-party SAT prep books out there. Another great self-study resource is Khan Academy, one of the best-known educational non-profits. Since there are no live instructors on Khan Academy, it’s not ideal for students who need more individualized support or feedback. If you’re having a hard time with specific concepts, you might benefit more from working with a tutor or small-group instructor.
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Seeking Expert Tutoring
Collaborating with expert tutors can significantly enhance your SAT preparation experience. Expert tutors bring specialized knowledge and experience to tailor your SAT preparation plan according to your strengths, weaknesses, and learning style. Tutors offer insights into effective test-taking strategies that are crucial for optimizing your SAT performance. They teach you how to approach different question types, manage time effectively during each section, and reduce test anxiety through strategic preparation techniques.
Considering the ACT
If the SAT isn’t yielding the results you hoped for, it might be worth considering the ACT as an alternative. The SAT and ACT, while similar in many ways, have distinct differences in their formats and focus areas.
Factors Beyond Test Scores
It's essential to remember that a "good" SAT score is relative to each college and applicant. The strength of the score can depend on an individual's GPA, the rigor of the high school courses they have taken, and where they attend high school, experts say.
Academic Rigor and GPA
Admissions officers often look at the rigor of your high school courses to gauge your academic preparedness. Excelling in challenging courses demonstrates your ability to handle college-level work. On average, high school GPAs increased from 3.17 in 2010 to 3.36 in 2021, according to a 2022 report from ACT. During that time, the highest grade inflation - a term used to describe an increase in students’ grades that doesn't necessarily correlate with an increase in their academic achievement - occurred between 2018 and 2021, an increase of 0.1 grade points, the most recent data indicates.
Extracurricular Activities and Essays
Extracurricular involvement showcases your interests, passions, and leadership skills. A compelling essay can provide insight into your personality, experiences, and goals.
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