Is a 1200 SAT Score Good? Colleges that Accept 1200 SAT
What’s Covered:
- Is a 1200 SAT Score Good?
- Colleges that Accept a 1200 SAT Score
- How to Improve Your SAT Score
- Calculate Your Chances of Admission with a 1200 SAT Score
After hours and hours of studying, practice tests, and stress, the moment has finally come: you got your SAT score. The first thing you are probably wondering is “is my SAT score good?”. Keep reading to find out if a 1200 on the SATs is good and where you will be a top candidate for admission with your score.
Is a 1200 SAT Score Good?
The average SAT score is a 1040, so a 1200 is above average. A 1200 SAT score is between the 71st and 80th percentile of test takers, meaning that you scored above 71-80% of other students.
A score of 1200 opens a wide range of college options, assuming you have comparable grades (mostly A’s and B’s). That said, your score won’t be competitive for highly-selective institutions and may not be competitive for primary campuses of large state universities.
To better understand the kinds of schools you can apply to, use our free chancing engine. It will let you know how your SAT score stacks up at your dream schools, and you’ll be able to build a well-balanced list of safety, target, and reach schools.
Colleges that Accept a 1200 SAT Score
Below, you’ll find a list of colleges where a 1200 SAT score is on the upper end (75th percentile) of their range, placing you in a competitive position. These are by no means the only schools you should consider with a 1200 SAT score, but it is a good start.
|
School Name |
State |
Undergrad Enrollment |
Acceptance Rate |
|
AR |
8,200 |
63% |
|
|
CO |
10,000 |
95% |
|
|
CO |
3,400 |
93% |
|
|
CO |
8,700 |
80% |
|
|
CT |
4,100 |
85% |
|
|
FL |
24,700 |
78% |
|
|
GA |
23,500 |
91% |
|
|
GA |
2,400 |
51% |
|
|
ID |
44,300 |
97% |
|
|
IL |
17,600 |
92% |
|
|
IN |
2,400 |
92% |
|
|
KY |
4,800 |
85% |
|
|
KY |
7,600 |
85% |
|
|
LA |
13,700 |
78% |
|
|
MA |
8,300 |
86% |
|
|
MD |
3,600 |
86% |
|
|
MO |
18,800 |
94% |
|
|
MO |
8,600 |
79% |
|
|
NC |
1,500 |
99% |
|
|
NC |
1,100 |
82% |
|
|
ND |
2,500 |
88% |
|
|
OR |
3,600 |
92% |
|
|
PA |
2,500 |
85% |
|
|
PA |
6,600 |
97% |
|
|
PA |
3,700 |
77% |
|
|
PA |
1,600 |
74% |
|
|
SC |
3,900 |
64% |
|
|
TN |
16,700 |
95% |
|
|
TX |
3,000 |
94% |
|
|
WI |
9,700 |
83% |
(Please visit each school’s link for more specific information about undergraduate enrollment and acceptance rate.)
How to Improve Your SAT Score
If you aren’t thrilled about a 1200 on the SAT, you can always retake it and aim for a higher score. Here are just a few of our tips to help you improve your SAT score for next time:
Start studying earlier
One of the most effective strategies to improve your SAT score is to start preparing immediately after taking the test. Once you have taken the SAT, it is crucial to reflect on the experience. Recall the questions that seemed particularly difficult, the sections that were challenging, and any concepts that you felt were foreign to you. Take notes on these points as they will guide your future preparation.
If you didn’t write anything down immediately after the test, don’t worry; it’s never too late to think back and recall the specifics. Understanding what you found difficult the first time is vital because it helps you focus your study on areas where you need the most improvement.
Interpret Your Score and Mistakes
An essential step in improving your SAT score is properly interpreting your score report. Rather than merely looking at your total score, dive into the details by examining your subscores. These subscores can range from 1-15 and cover various categories such as “Command of Evidence”, “Standard English Conventions”, and “Problem Solving and Data Analysis”.
By pinpointing areas in which your performance could be improved, you can set more specific goals for your studies. For instance, instead of vaguely wanting to improve your SAT score, aim to enhance particular skills like “Problem Solving and Data Analysis”. Knowing exactly what to focus on can make your studying more effective and tailored to your needs.
Keep Practicing
Practice is key. It is often said that practice makes perfect, and this is particularly true for standardized tests like the SAT. Starting with untimed practice tests allows you to identify your weaknesses without the pressure of time constraints. As you begin to improve, gradually introduce timed sections to simulate the real test-taking environment. By taking multiple practice tests under conditions as close to the actual test day as possible, you become familiar with the test format, which can alleviate test anxiety and improve performance.
Resources like Khan Academy offer official SAT practice tests, which are highly beneficial for familiarizing yourself with the kinds of questions you will encounter on the SAT. Committing to regular practice is likely to lead to significant improvements in your SAT score.
Calculate Your Chances of Admission with a 1200 SAT Score
CollegeVine’s free chancing engine is not just a tool, but a guide in your college application journey. It provides a comprehensive analysis that takes into account your unique academic and extracurricular profile, not just your SAT score. This allows for tailored recommendations to enhance your college application, giving you an edge over others.
Understanding your chances can save you time by helping you focus on the schools where you’ll be a competitive applicant, which will ultimately improve your likelihood of admission. By providing a personalized and nuanced analysis, our chancing engine can be a significant asset in navigating your path to higher education.
