So you got a 1200 on the SAT and are probably wondering, "what now?"
Here’s the truth: 1200 is a good, but not great SAT score. Does this mean you shouldn’t apply to college? Not at all! It really depends on where you want to go. So it's all subjective!
Read on to find out more about a 1200 SAT score and its impact on college selection and scholarships.
What’s in this ultimate guide:
1) 🤓 Fast facts about a 1200 SAT score
- Is a 1200 on the SAT above the national average?
- What is the equivalent ACT score to a 1200 SAT?
2) 😭 If you’re unhappy with a 1200 SAT score:
- Reasons why you might want to get an SAT score above 1200
- Is it possible to improve my SAT score above 1200?
- SAT score action plan
3) 😊 If you’re happy with a 1200 SAT score:
- What schools can I get into with a 1200 SAT score?
- What scholarships can I get with a 1200 SAT score?
- What GPA do I need with a 1200 SAT score?
- 1200 SAT score action plan
4) 🙋 FAQs
- Can I get into Harvard with a 1200 SAT?
- What does being in the 74th percentile really mean?
What you need to know about a 1200 SAT score:
- 1200 is above the national average - nice work!
- 1200 on the SAT is most likely not going to get you into an Ivy League - bummer :(
- A 1200 on the SAT is equivalent to a 25 on the ACT
Reasons to improve your SAT score above a 1200:
If you increase your 1200 SAT score by 100 points you will:
- Be eligible for an additional 184 schools, including top schools such as Duke University, Georgetown University, and NYU.
- You will move from the 74th percentile of test takes to the 87th percentile of all test takers, making your application much more competitive when you submit it.
- You will have access to an additional XX more scholarships, including XXX, YYY and ZZZ.
Is it possible to improve my SAT score above 1200?
Of course! The lower your starting score on the SAT, the easier it is to improve by 100+ points. While there are many tutoring organizations and books, these sources are often costly and result in countless hours of studying and stress. At Everydae, we take a different approach by understanding that you need a break from academics.
With Everydae, students can improve their SAT score in just 10 minutes a day! In order to bring you the best results, our team replicates real SAT questions that will provide you with the most realistic experience. Whether it be math or reading, we will help you improve your weaknesses through our personalized system that outlines the areas that you struggle with. Try it out for only $1.
SAT Score Action Plan:
At Everydae, we understand the need for an organized and cohesive plan when trying to tackle the SAT. Our team has made a few guidelines to create the perfect plan for success:
1) Learn from your previous attempts: It is perfectly understandable to be annoyed after not doing as well on the SAT; however, your decision to take the test gave you a true sense of the types of problems the SAT consists of. Think about what made the test difficult. Was it your time management? Were there specific problems or sections that you couldn't understand? Did you have a good breakfast and sleep before the test? Thinking about your well-being and performance on the test day is the perfect way to identify potential weaknesses. The more focused you are on developing these weaknesses, the better off you will be for future exams.
2) Don't chase unrealistic goals: Don't try to improve everything at once! After the first step, you have identified the areas that you struggle with, and you should begin to think about what areas are easiest to fix. Many students try to set goals of improving their scores by hundreds of points and do not focus on specific areas to improve in. Always take small steps first. Fixing separate careless mistakes can rack up to a lot of points rather than trying to tackle something larger. Also, consider what types of questions are most common in each section and what concepts you knew but did not encounter. These can be further stepping stones when improving your score.
3) Recognize Your Strengths: While improving your weaknesses is a great way to earn a few extra points, it's equally important to maintain your skills in your strong areas. A lot of students experience drops in their strong areas which eliminates the improvements from their weak areas. It's important to improve but to also maintain consistency.
4) Don't wait too long before taking your next test: Students may be weary of taking too many SAT tests. We encourage you to take the necessary amount of time to improve but to not draw too far away from the test itself. Waiting too long before taking another tests may cause you to forget the actual level of difficulty of the test. We recommend to take your next test within two months in order to not lose your momentum.
Section 3: 😊 If you’re happy with a 1200 SAT score - Congrats!
What schools can I get into with a 1200 SAT score?
A 1200 SAT score is solid! There are many schools that you have a high chance of being admitted too. If you want to attend school in the East you have great options such as Syracuse University and Drexel University. If you want to expand westward, there are great schools like UC Irvine that will provide a great experience of culture and city life. The Midwest also has great choices, including Texas Tech University. With a 1200, you can find a great school fit for you.
What scholarships can I get with a 1200 SAT score?
There are a number of scholarships that you can receive with a 1200 SAT score. Depending on the University, you can receive a merit scholarship that is up to $50,000. For example, the NJCU Honors Program in Finance Scholarship grants up to $50,000! If you are interested in other programs such as the ROTC, you also are eligible to receive a two-year, three-year, or even four-year scholarship to a school. You should definitely check to see if the school you are applying offers merit scholarship so that you can save some money by not paying all of the costly tuition.
What GPA do I need with a 1200 SAT score?
There isn't a certain GPA that you need with a 1200 SAT score. Some colleges with an average SAT of 1200 have a high average GPA like a 3.7. Others have a lower average GPA: 3.2. Regardless, it is better to try your best and not worry to much about how your GPA will look with your SAT score. After looking at the range is seems that most colleges with an SAT score of 1200 have a GPA around 3.2.
What next?
If you have completed your journey with the SATs and have settled with your score, we encourage you to focus on your school grades and other extracurricular activities that you enjoy. Colleges will look at other areas, such as your GPA and activities, to decide if you should be admitted. Focusing on other aspects of your application will give colleges a better sense of who you are and what makes you unique. Remember to not overwork yourself throughout this whole process.
Section 4: 🙋 FAQs
1) Can I get into Harvard with a 1200 SAT?
Although the chances of getting admitted are very low, it is not impossible. In order to answer this question, we need to look at the average SAT and GPAs of students who get admitted, which are a 1500 and 3.9 respectively. As your SAT score is below the average, it is important that you develop a different area to differentiate yourself. For instance, maybe you compete at the national level for mathematics or have spent countless hours in the lab to write a research proposal in biomedicine. Whatever it is, it is important that you tell an interesting story that captures the attention, heart and mind of the admissions committee.
2) What does being in the 74th percentile really mean?
The 74th percentile does not mean you answered 74% of the questions correct. It means that your score was better than 74% of all test takers. Being at the 74th percentile also indicates that 26% of the test takes performed either the same or better than you.