What to Do With a Bad SAT Score

June 23, 2025 :: Admissionado

I. The SAT Score Panic Button (And Why You Shouldn’t Slam It)

“Is a 970 a good SAT score?” Short answer: depends. Long answer: let’s dismantle the panic machine.

First, deep breath. The anxiety you feel? Totally real. That drop in your stomach when you see a number that doesn’t begin with a “1”? Also real. But here’s the kicker: that number, by itself, is not the celestial gatekeeper to your college future.

Technically, anything below the 25th percentile of SAT scores for a given school is considered “low.” So yeah, at Stanford, a 1250 might feel like a D-minus. But at many great colleges across the country? That same score might slide you straight into the middle 50%. So “low” is relative. Always has been. Always will be.

Still, the dread persists. Why? Because we’ve all been spoon-fed the idea that standardized tests are life-or-death sorting hats. One number to determine if you’re Gryffindor-level brilliant or doomed to a life in the academic dungeon. Which is… dumb. Because colleges? They’re more Rita Skeeter than Professor McGonagall when it comes to these things—obsessed with the full story, the messy, glorious, human narrative.

Here’s the real talk: even a “bad” SAT score isn’t a nail in the coffin. It’s not even the coffin. For every 970-er who spirals into despair, there’s another who recognizes what it can’t measure—grit, leadership, originality, spark—and goes on to build an application so compelling, the score becomes a footnote.

So no, don’t slam the panic button. Don’t even touch it. You’ve got more levers at your disposal than you think.

II. The Great SAT Myth: That Your Score = Your Fate

Let’s kill this myth with fire: your SAT score is not your fate. It’s not even a reliable fortune cookie.

Yes, admissions officers will see your score. Yes, they will factor it in. But no, they are not robots running Excel spreadsheets looking for a minimum 1400 to unlock an acceptance letter. This isn’t an algorithm; it’s a human process, and humans love nuance, contradiction, and—above all—potential.

Harvard doesn’t want an army of 1600s who can recite the periodic table backward while blindfolded. They want people who start nonprofits, fail big, bounce back, lead rebellions (the metaphorical kind… usually). A perfect SAT score with no soul? Snooze. A 1180 with an electric personal story, 4.0 GPA, and demonstrable impact? Tell me more.

Speaking of GPA—let’s talk about that “low SAT, high GPA” combo. To a skilled admissions reader, this isn’t a red flag. It’s a conversation starter. It might suggest you’re a hard worker, good with long-term focus, someone who thrives in a real-world, collaborative setting over a sterile testing center. A high GPA says you show up, stay in the game, and deliver over time. That’s gold.

Where the numbers start to fall short, your narrative steps in. Your essays, your recs, your activities—that’s where you shout, “Here’s who I really am, and here’s what I’m bringing to your campus.” The stats are your trailer. Your story? That’s the feature film. And guess what—nobody’s crying at the trailer.

III. What to Do If Your SAT Score Isn’t What You Wanted

Okay, so your SAT score sucks. (Your words, not ours.) Here’s the good news: you’re not doomed, cursed, or exiled to the Land of Mediocre Futures. You just need to pivot smartly.

1. Should You Retake It?

First question: Did you actually study? Like, really study—not just skim a few YouTube videos or dust off that SAT prep book in your trunk? If not, start there. A few months of focused prep with the right tools (a tutor, a structured program, or a gameplan that doesn’t rely on vibes) can make a massive difference.

If you did study and still landed a score that makes your soul ache, don’t panic. It just means the SAT may not be your jam. Some people crush it under pressure. Others freeze. That doesn’t make you less smart—it makes you human.

But—if your goal schools still require or recommend scores, and you’re confident you can improve by 100+ points with better prep or time management, retake it. Aim for October at the latest if you’re applying senior year. Earlier is even better.

2. Strengthen the Rest of Your App

Let’s say retaking feels like torture, or you just don’t have the time. Then you go all in on the other stuff:

• Essays: This is your stage. Your TED Talk. Make it personal, raw, and unforgettable.
• Extracurriculars: Leadership. Initiative. Impact. Show how you matter outside the classroom.
• Recommendations: Get teachers who know you well to write letters that scream, “This kid elevates the room.”

When the SAT underwhelms, these other elements become your headline acts.

3. Embrace Test-Optional (Strategically)

A growing number of schools (yes, even competitive ones) are test-optional or test-flexible. That means you can apply without submitting scores, and you won’t be penalized. But choose wisely. A test-optional school that fits your academic and personality vibe? Jackpot. Use tools like FairTest.org and each school’s admissions page to create your smart list.

Bonus tip: some schools quietly admit test-optional applicants at higher rates than those with scores—especially if the rest of the app is fire.

4. Real Talk: Your Story Still Wins

We’ve worked with students who never broke 1100 on the SAT. They still got into excellent schools. Why? Because they had something to say. They launched tutoring programs. Took care of younger siblings. Built mini-empires on Etsy. Their SAT score? A footnote. Their life story? A plot twist.

Bottom line: one number doesn’t define you. But how you respond to that number? That can change everything.

V. “Is 970 Good?” and Other Questions You Should Stop Asking

A 970 is bad… for MIT. It’s just fine for a ton of other great schools.

But that’s not really the point.

The better question isn’t “Is 970 good?” It’s: Is 970 good for the schools I actually want to get into? That shift in thinking? Game-changer. Because a 1080 might be “meh” in the Ivy League chatrooms, but could be above average at a college where you’d thrive, lead, and crush it.

Here’s the trap: obsessing over whether a 1000 or 1060 or 1110 is “good” in some absolute, universal sense. There is no universal standard. Every school has its own range, its own priorities, and—get this—its own vibe.

Your job isn’t to impress TikTok college influencers who casually drop their 1580s like it’s NBD. Your job is to build a list of schools that fit you. And then figure out where your score lands in their applicant pool.

So instead of asking, “Is 1090 good?” try:

• “Where does 1090 fall in the middle 50% range for X school?”
• “If this score is below average, do I have other elements (GPA, ECs, essays) that blow it out of the water?”
• “Should I submit this score—or go test-optional?”

See the difference? One mindset keeps you spinning. The other moves you forward. Choose wisely.

VI. When to Retake (and When to Move On Like a Boss)

So you’ve taken the SAT. It didn’t exactly slap. The million-dollar question: do you retake… or reclaim your energy like a legend?

First, Read the Calendar Like a Pro

Pull up the SAT registration schedule—stat. If your next viable test date is cutting it close to app deadlines, your margin for error just shrunk. You want at least six weeks between now and test day to prep intentionally. No more winging it. And give yourself buffer time post-test for score reporting.

What Makes a Retake Strategic

If you’re aiming for a school where your current score is noticeably below their middle 50%, and you know you underperformed—go for it. But this time, come with a game plan:

• Targeted study (not random YouTube binges)
• Focused practice on your weakest section
• Timed mock exams to crush pacing issues

Also? Expect a boost. If your last effort felt like your max, a retake might not move the needle. But if your prep was weak or your nerves sabotaged you? Redemption time.

When to Move On (Like a Boss)

If:

• You’ve taken it twice already
• Your score isn’t budging
• Your schools are test-optional or your other app elements are fire…

…then friend, release it. Spend that energy writing a banger personal essay. Or polishing your ECs. Or finally making that video for your startup/club/community project.

Sometimes, the boldest move is not grinding for a few more points—but doubling down on the rest of your story. That’s boss-level strategy.

VII. You’re More Than a Number: Own Your Narrative

Your SAT score? It’s a data point. One line in the margins. Not the headline, not the plot, and definitely not the ending.

Colleges aren’t just assembling honor roll robots—they’re curating a community. And communities need people with ideas, quirks, hustle, weird hobbies, leadership chops, comeback stories, and everything in between. That’s where you shine.

At Admissionado, we’ve helped students turn “meh” SAT scores into assets. How? We build applications that say: “Yeah, the number’s not flashy. But let me show you what is.” Whether it’s essays that scream personality, activities that show real-world impact, or a personal story that sticks in the reader’s brain—we help you frame it all strategically.

You’re not just a test score. You’re a thesis. A voice. A future alum that a college will want to brag about.

Let’s make sure your app tells that story. Book a free consultation with us. We’ll walk you through exactly how to frame your SAT score, highlight your wins, and build an application that hits hard—even if your number doesn’t.