Is 1520 a Good SAT Score?

Introduction

A 1520 SAT score is a strong accomplishment that creates a clear set of choices. It places you well above most test takers and gives you leverage when building an application list and allocating effort in the months before deadlines.

Specifically, this score sits in the 1500-1590 band and lands in the 98th percentile, which most admissions professionals would classify as excellent. The practical task is not to celebrate the number or to chase a marginal increase automatically, but to use it to sharpen decisions about submission, retesting, and the rest of your application.

What a 1520 SAT score actually signals

Scoring 1520 shows consistent command across the test: strong reading and math performance with relatively few careless errors or timing failures. It tells admissions officers that you can handle demanding coursework and standardized evaluation, and it removes standardized testing as a weak point on your profile.

That said, a numeric score does not exist in isolation. With 1520 you have a two-sided benefit: you clear the bar for many competitive programs, but you may still be below the median at the very most selective institutions. Treat the score as a strategic asset rather than a final verdict.

Is 1520 a good SAT score?

Yes - 1520 is categorically a good score. Because it sits in the high percentile range, it outperforms the vast majority of applicants and is often classified on application guidance as excellent.

Good does not mean universal acceptance or automatic scholarship offers. For some elite colleges, it will be within or slightly below the middle 50% range; for many selective publics and privates it is comfortably competitive. The question to answer is which specific programs you plan to target and whether a marginal gain would meaningfully change those chances.

How to decide whether to submit a 1520

Deciding to submit this score comes down to comparison and context. First, place 1520 against the middle 50% scores of the colleges on your list. If it meets or exceeds a school's median, you will remove testing as a concern there; if it falls below the campus median, consider how the rest of your profile stacks up.

Also consider timing and opportunity cost. If additional testing would require skipping meaningful work on essays, grades, or extracurriculars, the trade-off can favor submission. Use the following checklist to guide the choice:

• Does 1520 meet or exceed the median at target schools?
• Is there a clear, realistic plan that could add 20+ points by the next test date?
• Will retesting delay applications or weaken another part of your file?
• Do you have section imbalances that submitting and explaining could address?

Should you retake a 1520? A practical decision checklist

A retake is worthwhile only if there is a credible path to meaningful improvement or a strategic reason to do so. For example, raising your score enough to move from below a school's median to above it, or fixing a glaring section weakness, are legitimate reasons to test again.

If your expected gain is a handful of points after considerable time and cost, it is usually not worth it. Think realistically about the return on effort and whether those same hours could instead produce stronger essays, higher grades, or more impactful activities.

• Projected gain: Do practice tests show consistent +20 points or more with targeted work?
• Timing: Is there a test date that lets you send scores without disrupting application deadlines?
• Cost: Can you afford the financial and emotional cost of another testing cycle?
• Alternative value: Would the same study time improve GPA, supplements, or interviews instead?

If you retake: where to focus to move the needle

The highest-impact improvements usually come from fixing a specific bottleneck rather than broad, unfocused practice. Identify whether your errors are concentrated in one section, caused by timing, or due to careless mistakes, and build a plan around that.

Targeted drills, timed sections, and error logs often beat more hours of mixed practice. Below are efficient focus areas that return noticeable score gains when approached methodically:

• Section weakness: Prioritize the section where you lose the most points; a 10-20 point gain there is easier than across the whole test.
• Timing strategy: Simulate full exams under strict timing and isolate pacing errors by question type.
• Accuracy under stress: Use mixed timed sets to replicate fatigue and reduce careless slips late in the test.
• Targeted content review: Address recurring content gaps rather than redoing general review you already mastered.

How a 1520 should change the rest of your application strategy

With a high score like 1520, you can allocate more of your remaining energy to areas that differentiate applicants: essays that reveal character and intellectual curiosity, teacher recommendations that provide context, and coursework that demonstrates sustained rigor. Test strength frees you to be more deliberate about narrative and fit.

At the same time, avoid complacency. Some admissions officers look for consistency across performance metrics. Keep grades and extracurricular commitments stable, and use 1520 as evidence to support targeted asks - for instance, emphasizing academic preparation for a program in math, engineering, or the humanities if your score aligns with your intended major.

Conclusion

A 1520 SAT score is an excellent outcome that opens doors and simplifies parts of the application process. It is strong enough to be submitted to many competitive schools and to make standardized testing a non-issue for several programs, but it may still sit below medians at the very top tier.

Decide by comparing 1520 with the specific colleges you want, estimating realistic score gains, and weighing opportunity costs. If a retake can produce material gains without sacrificing other priorities, pursue it; otherwise, use this score to reallocate effort toward essays, grades, and activities that make your application stand out.

FAQ

Is 1520 a bad SAT score?

No. A 1520 is well above average and typically considered excellent; it places you among the top few percent of test takers. While some ultra-selective programs may have higher medians, most colleges will view it favorably.

Should I submit a 1520 SAT score?

Submit it when it meets or exceeds the medians of your target schools or when a retake would harm other parts of your application. If your profile is otherwise strong and the score aligns with your majors, sending it is usually sensible.

Will retaking the SAT after a 1520 help?

Only if you have a realistic plan to improve by a meaningful margin, typically at least 20 points, or to fix a specific section weakness that affects your competitiveness. Small, uncertain gains rarely justify the time and emotional cost of another testing cycle.

What should I focus on next if I keep my 1520?

Shift effort toward essays, recommendations, and demonstrating academic rigor; these areas often move admission outcomes more than marginal score improvements. Maintain grades and leadership in activities so your strong test score sits inside a cohesive, persuasive application.

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