Your score, decoded

Is 450 a Good SAT Score?

A 450 SAT score is generally considered developing and sits around the 5th percentile. Use the guide below to understand college context and decide what to do next.

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Percentile

5th

Score band

400-490

Interpretation

Developing

Score breakdown

What a 450 SAT score means

Clear context, practical tradeoffs, and the questions worth asking before your next move.

How admissions teams often view a 450 SAT score

Admissions officers place this score in context with grades, coursework, recommendations, and other evidence. A single number by itself does not define an application, but the position of 450 near the low end of the national distribution matters when schools use test scores as part of an evaluation.

Where a 450 can help

When the typical SAT range for a school is similar or lower, a 450 can be sufficient among other strengths.
For community colleges, open-enrollment programs, or test-optional decisions, this score may not be a barrier.
It can support applications where strong non-test evidence compensates for a lower SAT number.

Where a 450 may limit options

Selective or test-focused programs usually admit students with higher scores; 450 sits well below those medians.
If your grades and course rigor are not clearly stronger, the score becomes a clearer place for improvement.

Deciding whether to retake from 450

Retake decisions should come from a comparison between this score and the schools you plan to apply to. If more selective targets are on your list, another study cycle that raises your score could increase options.

List the schools you care about and note their reported SAT ranges.
If 450 is below or far below those ranges, consider focused prep and another test date.
If 450 is at or above a school's range, weigh test submission against the rest of your application.

Verdict: a starting-point score

Bottom line on a 450 SAT score

A 450 SAT score is a clear snapshot: 450, 5th percentile, band 400-490, level developing, and commonly described as a starting-point score. Use that snapshot to decide whether a modest score improvement would materially change your admissions position or whether time is better spent strengthening other parts of your file.

College score-range explorer

How 450 compares with featured colleges

Schools are grouped by where your score falls against their middle-50% range. Within each group, the closest ranges appear first.

Above range0

Your score is at or above the upper end of the listed range.

Within range0

Your score falls inside the school’s listed middle-50% range.

Below range30

Your score is below the lower end; the closest listed ranges come first.

University of Arizona

SAT 1090–1320

Tucson, AZ

Arizona State University

SAT 1100–1320

Tempe, AZ

Michigan State University

SAT 1100–1310

East Lansing, MI

Purdue University

SAT 1220–1470

West Lafayette, IN

University of Texas at Austin

SAT 1230–1500

Austin, TX

Pennsylvania State University

SAT 1280–1410

University Park, PA

University of Florida

SAT 1340–1480

Gainesville, FL

University of Michigan

SAT 1360–1530

Ann Arbor, MI

Use this as a comparison tool, not an admissions verdict. Published score ranges describe enrolled students; they are not cutoffs or guarantees. Confirm each college’s current testing policy and official data before deciding whether to submit a score.

Your next move

Turn 450 into a focused score plan

A retake often makes sense when you have a clearer study plan and can focus on the skills most likely to raise your score.

Practice by skill Take a diagnostic Save my plan

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions about a 450 SAT score

Is 450 a bad SAT score?

Not automatically. It is low relative to many selective schools but workable for other colleges and programs depending on the rest of your application.

Should I submit a 450 SAT score?

Submit it if it compares well to the schools on your list or if the application benefits from having a test score. If most target schools expect higher scores, plan a retake.

Can I improve on a 450?

Yes. A focused study plan aimed at identified weaknesses can raise a 450 score and broaden college options, but the decision to retest should be based on the specific schools you want to reach.