Is 490 a Good SAT Score?
A 490 SAT score is generally considered developing. This score is around the 5th percentile.
The most important question is whether 490 is competitive for your target colleges and whether improving your score would meaningfully change your options.
Score
490
Percentile
5th
Band
400-490
At a glance
Score: 490
- Percentile: 5 (5th percentile)
- Score band:400-490
- Level:developing
- Verdict:a starting-point score
What the 490 means nationally
A 490 SAT score sits at the 5th percentile. That means the numerical result places you ahead of roughly 5 percent of test takers nationally while most other test takers scored higher.
Percentile gives a clear national snapshot; it does not, by itself, decide whether the score fits your application goals.
How colleges usually interpret a 490
Colleges view a 490 differently depending on their admissions profile. For many selective institutions, a 490 is well below their typical range. For community colleges and some programs with open admissions, the score may be within an acceptable range.
- At more selective schools: the score is likely below typical admits.
- At less selective institutions or specific programs: it may meet minimum expectations.
- Context matters: coursework, recommendations, and other application parts interact with the score.
Should you retake a 490 SAT score?
Retaking is a common next step when time and preparation resources are available. A higher score can widen options and reduce uncertainty about admissions at a broader set of colleges.
Consider targeted practice, timed practice tests, and focused review of weaker content areas before a retest.
Practical next steps with a 490
- Compare 490 to each school's published middle 50% to see where it stands.
- Decide if a retake would change your options enough to justify the effort.
- Prioritize study areas that produced the biggest point losses on your test.
- Balance testing decisions with other application strengths you can control now.
Verdict:a starting-point score
FAQ
Is 490 a bad SAT score?
Not automatically. It is low relative to many selective colleges but can be workable for other institutions or programs.
Should I submit a 490 SAT score?
That depends on how the 490 compares to the schools on your list and whether additional testing could broaden your choices.
Can I improve from 490?
Yes. Focused prep and more practice tests commonly produce measurable gains for students at this level.
Colleges for a 490 SAT score
Safety
No schools found in this category.
Target
No schools found in this category.
Reach
Range: 1500–1580
Cambridge, MA
Range: 1500–1570
Stanford, CA
Range: 1510–1580
Cambridge, MA
Range: 1500–1580
New Haven, CT
Range: 1490–1570
Princeton, NJ
Range: 1490–1570
New York, NY
Range: 1500–1570
Chicago, IL
Range: 1490–1560
Durham, NC