490 SAT Score: Is this good? (2024)

FAQs

490 SAT Score: Is this good? ›

490 SAT Score Standings

Low can be subjective when it comes to SAT scores, but I'll provide some context that might help clarify things. The SAT is scored on a range of 400-1600, and the average score is roughly around 1060. In general, anything below 1060 can be considered on the lower side of the spectrum.

A checkmark shows you scored at or above the benchmark (480 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 530 for Math). This means you're on track to be ready for college when you graduate. An exclamation point shows you scored below the benchmark.

A perfect SAT score is 1600. The minimum score is 400. The average for the class of 2023 was 1010.

As you probably already now, a perfect score would be 1600. The average score sits at right around 1050. This means that anything below 1050 is considered below average, and composite scores of 870 or lower are in the bottom 25%.

490 SAT Score Standings

Out of the 2.13 million test-takers, 2131958 scored the same or higher than you. You can apply to 1 colleges and have a good shot at getting admitted. You have a very low chance of getting into 1488 schools with this score.

A decent SAT score is around an average score, which is 500 per section or 1000-1200 total. Below is our chart for school's that should accept a decent SAT score. You'll notice a number of regional and state universities that aren't the most difficult to get into. However, they're still nationally recognized.

With a 430 SAT score, you're already strongly competitive for these schools. You're very likely to get admitted if you apply. If you improve your SAT score, your Safety Schools will get better and better.

Any score below 750 now (1100 previously) is exceptional, as only 10 percent of students who take the SAT achieve that level… It is even rarer to get a 400(600 previously). Even if you guess the answer to every question, you will score higher than the possible lowest sat score.

Can a bad SAT score hurt you? ›

While SAT scores do play a role in college admissions, they are not the only factor. Admissions officers also consider your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations. If you have a strong overall application, a 1300 SAT score shouldn't be a deal-breaker.

The SAT was designed to create a bell curve where the average score falls around 1000-1050 each year. If you're not learning strategies to help game the test and boost your score, you will probably fall into the middle part of the bell curve, just slightly above or below 1051.

Never Retake a 1530+

A student's percentile represents the percentage of students whose score is equal to or lower than his or her score. So if you scored a 1520, 99% of the students scored the same or lower. Therefore, the top 1% scored at least a 1530.

A 1200 is an above average score that places you in approximately the 74th percentile of all high school students taking the exam. A score of 1200 makes it possible to apply to the vast majority of schools throughout the nation and be competitive for admission at a sizable number of colleges.

Hi there! A 950 SAT score is below the national average of around 1060.

A 910 SAT score is considered below average when it comes to college admissions, particularly for more selective institutions. Generally, a score of 1050-1100 is considered an average SAT score, and higher scores are required for more competitive colleges.

A 1300 SAT score is generally considered a solid score that can help you gain admission to many colleges and universities.