At a glance
A 520 SAT score sits inside the 500-590 score band and ranks around the 5th percentile. The score is classified at the developing level and functions as a baseline measurement of current performance.
Your score, decoded
Is 520 a Good SAT Score?
A 520 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.
Percentile
5th
Score band
500-590
Interpretation
Developing
Score breakdown
What a 520 SAT score means
Clear context, practical tradeoffs, and the questions worth asking before your next move.
What a 520 SAT score means
A 520 SAT score gives admissions officers one clear signal about standardized-test performance, but it is only one piece of an application. It is best used to identify realistic targets and plan improvement, not to label your overall potential.
520 SAT percentile
A 520 SAT score corresponds to approximately the 5th percentile (often written as the 5th percentile). That places you below the national median; it indicates many test takers score higher, but it does not by itself determine admissions outcomes.
Score band and level
The score belongs in the 500-590 band. Test-score descriptions place it at the developing level, which highlights room for targeted improvement in both sections.
How colleges will read a 520
Colleges contextualize a 520 against their own applicant pool. For some schools it will fall below typical ranges; for others it may be within an acceptable range when balanced with other strengths. Use your list of target schools to see whether 520 is competitive for each one.
Should you retake a 520 SAT score?
Retaking is often a reasonable next step if you can increase focused preparation. The goal is practical: raise the score enough that it changes which schools are realistic or improves scholarship prospects.
- Time: Do you have weeks or months for structured prep?
- Strategy: Can you change study methods or resources compared with your last attempt?
- Impact: Will a higher score expand your college options or scholarship chances?
Bottom line on a 520 SAT score
A 520 SAT score is best read as a starting point. It is a quantifiable baseline-inside the 500-590 band, at the 5th percentile, and labeled developing. From that baseline you can decide whether a targeted retake would meaningfully improve your admissions position.
College score-range explorer
How 520 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.
Closest below-range examples
Ordered by the smallest gap to the listed 25th percentile
Tucson, AZ
Tempe, AZ
East Lansing, MI
West Lafayette, IN
Austin, TX
University Park, PA
Gainesville, FL
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 520 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.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions about a 520 SAT score
Is 520 a bad SAT score?
Not automatically. A 520 may limit options at some colleges and be acceptable at others. Context matters.
Should I submit a 520 SAT score?
Submit it only if it strengthens your overall application compared with schools' reported ranges. If not, consider retaking after focused prep.
Can I get into college with a 520 SAT score?
Yes. Which colleges are realistic depends on their typical admitted ranges and your other application elements. Improving the score can broaden choices.