"What SAT score do I need?" is the single most common question students ask when they start planning for college admissions. The honest answer is that there is no single magic number. A strong SAT score depends entirely on where you want to apply, what major you are pursuing, and how the rest of your application stacks up. A 1350 might be outstanding for one student's college list and below average for another's.

This guide will help you set realistic, data-informed score goals by college tier, understand how superscoring can work in your favor, navigate the test-optional landscape with confidence, and avoid wasting weeks chasing points that will not change your admissions outcome. Whether you are just starting your prep journey or deciding whether to retake, this is the framework you need.

If you have not yet taken a diagnostic test or built a study schedule, start with our 3-month SAT study plan and come back here once you have a baseline score.

Score Ranges by College Tier (2026 Planning Framework)

The ranges below are practical planning targets based on publicly reported 25th-75th percentile score data from recent admissions cycles. Individual schools vary, and admissions is never just about scores. But these ranges give you a reliable starting point for building your college list and setting study goals.

Ivy League and Top 10 Schools

Typical competitive range: 1500 -- 1600 Strong minimum goal for applicants: 1500+

Schools in this tier include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Stanford, Columbia, UChicago, Duke, Caltech, and similar ultra-selective institutions. Acceptance rates at these schools generally fall below 7%, and the academic profiles of admitted students are exceptionally strong across the board.

At this level, the SAT score is a necessary component but far from sufficient. A 1550 does not guarantee admission, but a score below 1480 puts you at a statistical disadvantage unless the rest of your profile is extraordinary (recruited athlete, major legacy, nationally recognized achievement).

Key considerations for this tier:

• Score alone will not get you in. These schools practice holistic review. Your essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, and demonstrated interest all matter.
• Section balance matters. A 780 Math / 720 R&W looks stronger for STEM applicants than a 700 Math / 800 R&W at most of these institutions.
• Superscoring is common. Many Ivy League and Top 10 schools superscore, so plan for multiple sittings.
• Test-optional caution. Even at schools that are test-optional, submitting a 1520+ generally strengthens your application. Withholding at this tier should be a deliberate strategic choice, not a default.

If you are targeting this tier, pair your score prep with strong Reading & Writing strategies and dedicated SAT Math strategies to maximize both sections.

Top 25 Universities

Typical competitive range: 1400 -- 1530 Practical target: 1400+

This tier includes schools like Vanderbilt, Rice, Georgetown, Carnegie Mellon, UCLA, UC Berkeley, University of Michigan (for out-of-state), Emory, WashU in St. Louis, and similar institutions ranked roughly 11th through 25th nationally.

A score in the mid-1400s places you solidly in the competitive range at most of these schools. Breaking 1500 moves you into the upper quartile and can meaningfully help with merit scholarships at schools that offer them.

Key considerations for this tier:

• Major matters. Engineering and computer science programs at schools like Carnegie Mellon or Georgia Tech may have effective score floors 50-80 points above the overall school median.
• In-state vs. out-of-state. Public universities in this tier (UCLA, Berkeley, Michigan, UVA) often have higher de facto score expectations for out-of-state applicants because competition for those seats is fiercer.
• Scholarship positioning. At many Top 25 private universities, a score in the 1480-1530 range can position you for merit aid consideration, which can be worth tens of thousands of dollars over four years.

Top 50 Universities

Typical competitive range: 1300 -- 1450 Practical target: 1300+

Schools in this range include institutions like the University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Boston University, Tulane, Northeastern, Pepperdine, Ohio State (Honors), and similar programs ranked roughly 26th through 50th.

A 1300+ score is genuinely competitive at many of these schools. Reaching 1350-1400 moves you into a strong position for both admission and potential scholarship offers.

Key considerations for this tier:

• This is where the biggest return-on-investment in SAT prep often lives. Moving from 1200 to 1350 can dramatically change which schools on this list are realistic targets versus reaches.
• Honors programs within these universities frequently have higher score thresholds, sometimes 1400+ even when the overall university median is lower.
• Consistent section scores (e.g., 670 R&W / 680 Math) tend to be viewed more favorably than lopsided profiles (e.g., 750 R&W / 550 Math) unless you are applying to a clearly humanities- or STEM-focused program.

Competitive State Flagships and Selective Publics

Typical competitive range: 1200 -- 1400 Practical target: 1200 -- 1300+ depending on program

This tier covers strong state universities like Penn State, University of Minnesota, Clemson, University of Connecticut, Purdue, Indiana University (Kelley School), Iowa State, and similar institutions that are competitive but not ultra-selective.

Key considerations for this tier:

• Automatic admission thresholds. Some state flagships offer guaranteed or near-guaranteed admission at certain GPA + SAT score combinations. Research your specific state university's policies.
• Program-level variation is significant. Engineering at Purdue or the Kelley School of Business at Indiana may expect scores 100-150 points above the university-wide median.
• Scholarship tiers are often score-linked. Many state flagships have published scholarship grids where a 50-point SAT increase can move you into a higher aid tier. This makes targeted score improvement extremely valuable.
• In-state advantage. If you are applying to your own state's flagship, the competitive range may be 50-100 points lower than for out-of-state applicants.

Broad-Access State Schools and Regional Universities

Typical range: 1000 -- 1250 Practical target: 1050 -- 1200

These include schools with higher acceptance rates, many regional state universities, and institutions that prioritize access alongside quality. Examples might include schools in the CSU system, many SUNY campuses, regional state universities, and similar programs.

At this tier, improving from 1000 to 1150 can significantly expand both your admission and scholarship options. This is often the tier where students see the most direct, tangible benefit from even moderate SAT score improvement.

Key considerations for this tier:

• Scholarship leverage is high. A score of 1150-1200 at a school with a median of 1050 can qualify you for meaningful merit aid.
• Placement benefits. Even where SAT scores are not heavily weighted for admission, they may be used for course placement in math and English, potentially saving you a semester of prerequisite courses.
• Honors programs. Many regional universities have honors colleges with enriched experiences, smaller class sizes, and priority registration. These often require scores in the 1200-1300 range.

Open-Admission and Community College Pathways

Typical range: Flexible or not required

Community colleges and open-admission institutions generally do not require SAT scores for admission. However, the SAT can still play a useful role in this pathway.

Potential benefits of having a score:

• Course placement. A decent SAT score can place you directly into college-level math and English, skipping developmental coursework that extends your timeline.
• Transfer preparation. If your plan is to complete two years and transfer to a four-year university, having an SAT score on file strengthens your transfer application at many schools.
• Scholarship eligibility. Some community colleges and state programs offer merit-based aid that considers standardized test scores.
• Honors program access. Community college honors programs, which can significantly boost transfer applications, often consider SAT scores.

Quick Reference: Score Ranges by College Tier

Why Score Goals Should Be Ranges, Not Single Numbers

One of the most common planning mistakes is fixating on a single number. Students say things like "I need a 1450" or "I won't be happy unless I hit 1500." This mindset creates unnecessary pressure, distorts study planning, and leads to poor decisions about retaking.

SAT scores fluctuate. Your performance on any given test day is influenced by sleep, stress, question selection, timing, and dozens of other factors. A student whose "true" ability is around 1420 might score anywhere from 1380 to 1460 across multiple sittings. That is normal variation, not failure.

The Three-Level Target System

Instead of a single number, use a three-level framework that gives you clarity at every stage of prep:

1. Baseline Goal: The score that keeps your core college options open. This is the minimum you need to be a credible applicant at the majority of schools on your list.
2. Target Goal: The score that makes you genuinely competitive at your top-choice schools. Landing here means your SAT is an asset, not a liability.
3. Reach Goal: The score that strengthens scholarship chances or makes you competitive at your most selective options. This is aspirational but grounded in your improvement trajectory.

Example: Student targeting mostly Top 50 schools with a few Top 25 reaches

• Baseline: 1300 (competitive at most Top 50 schools)
• Target: 1380 (strong position at Top 50, competitive at lower Top 25)
• Reach: 1450+ (upper range for Top 25, scholarship territory at Top 50)

Example: Student targeting state flagships with a few Top 50 reaches

• Baseline: 1200 (competitive at flagship, opens doors)
• Target: 1280 (strong for flagship, competitive at Top 50)
• Reach: 1350+ (scholarship range at flagship, solid for Top 50)

This system helps you measure progress without treating every practice test as a pass/fail event. If you hit your Baseline early, you can refocus energy on reaching your Target. If you hit your Target, you can decide whether pushing for the Reach is worth the time investment versus strengthening other parts of your application.

What Superscoring Means (and Why It Helps)

Superscoring means a college takes your highest Reading and Writing section score and your highest Math section score from across all your SAT test dates, then combines them into a single composite. This is different from looking at your highest single-sitting total.

How Superscoring Works in Practice

Suppose you take the SAT twice:

• Test 1: R&W 670, Math 620 = Total 1290
• Test 2: R&W 640, Math 700 = Total 1340

Your highest single-sitting score is 1340. But your superscore is 1370 (670 R&W from Test 1 + 700 Math from Test 2). At colleges that superscore, you submit all test dates and they construct the best possible composite.

That 30-point difference might not sound enormous, but at competitive score ranges it can shift you from the 25th to the 50th percentile of admitted students at a target school.

Strategic Approaches to Superscoring

Superscoring fundamentally changes how you should think about retaking the SAT:

1. Treat your first official test as a baseline plus one section lock-in. If you score 710 R&W and 640 Math, your R&W is already strong. On your next attempt, you can focus nearly all your remaining prep energy on Math.
2. Analyze section imbalance after each sitting. Identify which section has more room for improvement and target that section disproportionately in your study plan.
3. Do not stress about a section dropping slightly on a retake. If your R&W drops from 710 to 690 on Test 2 but your Math jumps from 640 to 720, your superscore still benefits (710 + 720 = 1430). The "worse" R&W sitting is simply not counted.
4. Plan for two to three sittings maximum. Most students see diminishing returns after the third attempt. Two well-prepared sittings with targeted improvement between them is the most common winning strategy.

Do All Colleges Superscore?

No. Superscoring policies vary by institution and can change from year to year. Most private universities and many public universities do superscore, but some schools consider only your highest single-sitting composite, and a few consider all scores from all sittings.

Best practice:

• Check each college's official admissions testing policy page directly. Do not rely on third-party databases, which may be outdated.
• Create a column in your college planning spreadsheet for each school's policy: superscore, highest single sitting, or test-optional.
• Update this information each fall when schools publish their current-cycle policies, as these can shift.

Understanding each school's policy before you register for a retake helps you decide whether a retake is worth the investment. If all your target schools superscore and your R&W is strong, a Math-focused retake is almost always worthwhile. If your top-choice school only considers single-sitting scores, you need to plan differently.

Test-Optional Policies: When to Submit, When to Withhold

The test-optional landscape has evolved significantly since 2020. As of the 2025-2026 admissions cycle, many highly selective schools have returned to requiring standardized tests, while others remain test-optional or test-free. This is a moving target, so checking each school's current policy is essential.

Test-optional means you can apply without submitting SAT scores and your application will (in theory) not be disadvantaged. But test-optional does not mean test-irrelevant. For many applicants, submitting a strong score still provides a meaningful advantage.

When You Should Submit Your Score

Submit your SAT score when:

• Your score is at or above the school's 50th percentile for admitted students. This is the clearest indicator that your score helps your application.
• Your score is between the 25th and 50th percentile and other parts of your application are strong. In this case, the score provides additional academic evidence that supports your GPA and coursework.
• You are applying from a high school with limited name recognition or one where grade inflation/deflation is hard for admissions officers to calibrate. A strong SAT score gives an external benchmark.
• You are seeking merit scholarships. Many scholarship programs, even at test-optional schools, still consider SAT scores as part of their evaluation criteria.
• Your GPA is lower than average for the school. A strong test score can partially offset a GPA that does not fully reflect your ability.

When You Should Consider Withholding

Consider not submitting when:

• Your score falls below the school's 25th percentile for admitted students. Submitting a score significantly below the school's range introduces a weak data point into an otherwise strong application.
• Your score does not align with your academic narrative. If you have a 3.9 GPA in rigorous courses but a 1250 SAT, the score may raise questions rather than provide reassurance.
• You have strong alternative evidence of academic ability. AP scores of 4 and 5, a rigorous course load, strong grades in relevant subjects, and compelling essays can tell your academic story effectively without a test score.
• You are a significantly better test-day performer than test-score performer. Some students with test anxiety consistently underperform their practice scores. If your official score is well below your ability, withholding may be the right call.

A Practical Decision Framework

For each school on your list, answer this question:

"Does my SAT score add to or subtract from the academic story I am telling?"

If it adds, submit. If it subtracts, withhold. If it is neutral (right around the 25th percentile), consider the rest of your profile. A student with a 3.5 GPA might benefit from submitting a 25th-percentile score as additional evidence, while a student with a 4.0 GPA might not need it.

For a broader understanding of how the Digital SAT works and what to expect, see our complete guide to the Digital SAT.

How to Set Realistic Targets from Your Diagnostic Score

Your first full-length practice test score is your planning anchor. Everything else -- your study schedule, your section priorities, your timeline -- flows from this number. Here is a step-by-step process for turning a diagnostic score into actionable goals.

Step 1: Take a Legitimate Diagnostic

Use an official College Board Bluebook practice test under realistic conditions. Timed. Quiet room. No phone. Same device you will use on test day. If your diagnostic is not realistic, your targets will not be either.

For more on setting up effective practice conditions, check our test day guide, which covers environment, timing, and mindset.

Step 2: Record Section-Level Scores, Not Just the Total

Your total score matters, but your section scores are where the planning happens. Write down:

• Reading & Writing section score (200-800)
• Math section score (200-800)
• Total composite (400-1600)

Also note your domain-level performance within each section if available:

• R&W domains: Craft and Structure, Information and Ideas, Standard English Conventions, Expression of Ideas
• Math domains: Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem Solving & Data Analysis, Geometry & Trigonometry

Step 3: Match Your Baseline to Your College Tier

Use the score ranges table above to identify where your diagnostic places you relative to your target schools.

Example: Diagnostic score of 1120 (R&W 580, Math 540)

• Currently competitive for: Broad-access schools
• Within reach of (with improvement): State flagships, some Top 50
• Significant stretch: Top 25 and above

Step 4: Set Evidence-Based Goals by Timeline

Realistic improvement ranges based on consistent, structured prep:

These are ranges, not guarantees. Students starting from lower baselines (below 1100) often see larger absolute gains because there are more foundational skills to address. Students starting above 1400 typically see smaller absolute gains because the remaining improvement requires mastering increasingly difficult content.

For the 1120 diagnostic student targeting state flagships and some Top 50 schools:

• Baseline goal (4-6 weeks): 1200
• Target goal (8-10 weeks): 1260-1300
• Reach goal (12+ weeks): 1350

Step 5: Set Section-Level Targets

This is where many students miss an opportunity. Section targeting is almost always faster than chasing a total score without direction.

Example: Diagnostic R&W 610, Math 510 (Total: 1120)

The Math section has substantially more room for improvement. A focused plan might look like:

• Math target: Raise from 510 to 620 (+110 points)
• R&W target: Maintain or raise slightly from 610 to 640 (+30 points)
• New projected total: 1260 (a 140-point improvement driven primarily by one section)

This is more efficient and more achievable than trying to raise both sections by 70 points each, because you can concentrate your study time on the section with the most opportunity.

The "Good Enough" Principle: Diminishing Returns Above Target

This concept is critical and frequently overlooked. After a certain point, each additional 10 SAT points costs dramatically more time and energy than the previous 10 points. This is not a sign that something is wrong with your prep -- it is the natural curve of skill improvement.

Early gains are easier because you are fixing broad, foundational weaknesses: learning core algebra rules, understanding passage structure, eliminating careless errors. Later gains are harder because they require mastering edge cases, handling the most difficult question types under time pressure, and achieving near-perfect consistency.

The Decision Question

When deciding whether to keep pushing for more points, ask yourself:

"Does this next 30-point gain materially change my college options or scholarship eligibility?"

If the answer is yes -- for example, moving from 1280 to 1310 takes you from below to above a scholarship threshold at your top-choice school -- continue.

If the answer is no -- for example, you already have a 1420 and your target schools' median is 1380 -- that time may be dramatically better spent on:

• Application essays (often the single most controllable differentiator)
• Extracurricular depth and activity descriptions
• Recommendation letter relationships with teachers
• AP exam preparation or maintaining strong semester grades
• College research to write compelling "Why this school?" supplements

Where Diminishing Returns Typically Start

For most students, the diminishing returns curve becomes noticeable roughly 80-120 points above their initial diagnostic. Beyond that range, each marginal point requires more targeted and more time-intensive work.

• Diagnostic 1000: Diminishing returns often start around 1100-1120
• Diagnostic 1150: Diminishing returns often start around 1250-1280
• Diagnostic 1300: Diminishing returns often start around 1400-1420

This does not mean you cannot improve beyond these points. It means the time investment per point increases, and you should weigh that investment against other uses of your time.

"Good enough" is not settling. It is strategic resource allocation based on what will actually maximize your admissions outcome.

Building a Score-Goal Plan by Timeline

Your available prep time fundamentally shapes what score improvement is realistic and how you should allocate your study hours. Here is how to approach goal-setting for three common timelines.

If You Have 3+ Months

This is the ideal scenario. With 12 or more weeks, you have time for a full diagnostic-study-test-retake cycle.

Recommended approach:

1. Week 1: Take a full diagnostic under timed, realistic conditions.
2. Weeks 2-4: Build foundational skills in your weakest domains. Use targeted content review and untimed practice to build understanding.
3. Weeks 5-8: Shift to timed domain practice and take your first full practice test around week 6. Analyze results and adjust focus.
4. Weeks 9-10: Take your second full practice test. Identify remaining gaps. Begin test-day conditioning (full tests under realistic conditions).
5. Weeks 11-12: Light review, confidence-building, and logistics preparation. Sit for the SAT.
6. Weeks 13+: If applicable, analyze your official score and decide whether to retake with targeted prep for the weaker section.

For a detailed week-by-week breakdown, see our 3-month SAT study plan.

Realistic goal range for this timeline: 100-200 point improvement from diagnostic.

If You Have 6-10 Weeks

This is still a solid amount of time, but it requires sharper prioritization. You do not have the luxury of slow foundational building; you need to identify and attack the highest-yield areas immediately.

Recommended approach:

1. Week 1: Diagnostic test plus detailed error analysis by domain.
2. Weeks 2-5: Focus 70% of study time on your two weakest domains (one from each section or both from the weaker section). Use targeted quizzes and an error log to track patterns.
3. Week 6-7: Take a full practice test. Reassess. Shift focus to any remaining high-frequency weaknesses.
4. Weeks 8-10: Test-day conditioning, timing refinement, and careless-error reduction drills. Sit for the SAT.

Realistic goal range for this timeline: 80-150 point improvement from diagnostic.

If You Have Under 6 Weeks

With a compressed timeline, ambition must be recalibrated. Large jumps are unlikely, but meaningful improvement is still possible if your focus is razor-sharp.

Recommended approach:

1. Days 1-3: Diagnostic test plus triage. Identify your two to three highest-frequency error types.
2. Weeks 1-3: Drill only the skills that appear most often on the test and where you are making the most mistakes. Do not try to master every topic.
3. Weeks 4-5: Full practice tests under timed conditions. Focus on pacing, stamina, and reducing careless errors.
4. Final days: Light review. Logistics preparation. Rest.

Realistic goal range for this timeline: 50-100 point improvement from diagnostic.

If you are working with a tight budget regardless of timeline, our guide to SAT prep on a budget covers free and low-cost resources that can fill gaps without expensive courses.

Section-Level Score Balancing Strategy

Many students focus on their total composite score without considering how their section scores contribute to it. This is a missed opportunity, because section balance affects both your admissions profile and your prep efficiency.

Why Balance Matters

Admissions officers at many schools review section scores, not just the composite. A significant imbalance -- for example, R&W 750 / Math 550 = 1300 total -- can raise questions about readiness for certain programs. A more balanced 660 / 640 = 1300 total tells a different story, even though the composite is the same.

Additionally, most students can raise a weaker section faster than they can further raise a stronger one. If your R&W is 720 and your Math is 580, the 50 points of improvement it takes to move Math from 580 to 630 will almost certainly come faster and more easily than pushing R&W from 720 to 770.

A Balancing Framework

Follow these steps to optimize your section-level goals:

1. Calculate the gap between your two section scores.
2. If the gap is 80+ points, dedicate 60-70% of your study time to the weaker section for the first 4-6 weeks.
3. If the gap is 40-80 points, dedicate 55-60% of your study time to the weaker section.
4. If the gap is under 40 points, maintain roughly equal study time across sections but focus on your weakest domains within each section.
5. Reassess every 2-3 weeks after practice tests. As the gap narrows, rebalance your time allocation.

Section Balancing for Specific Goals

Your intended major and target schools should also influence section balance decisions:

• STEM applicants: A slightly higher Math score (20-40 points above R&W) is generally viewed positively.
• Humanities/Social Science applicants: A slightly higher R&W score is often advantageous.
• Business/Economics applicants: Balanced scores or a slight Math edge tend to be preferred.
• Undecided applicants: Aim for the most balanced score possible.

Common Score-Goal Mistakes to Avoid

Over years of working with students, these are the planning errors we see most frequently. Avoiding them will save you time, stress, and potentially wasted test sittings.

1. Setting a Goal with No Connection to Your College List

"I want a 1500" sounds great, but why? If your college list is primarily state flagships and Top 50 schools, a 1350 might already place you comfortably above the 75th percentile at every school you are applying to. Setting a 1500 goal in this scenario creates unnecessary pressure, extends your prep timeline, and takes time away from other application components.

Fix: Set your goal based on your actual college list, not prestige or what your friends are targeting.

2. Chasing a Prestige Number Instead of an Admissions-Relevant Range

Related to the first mistake, some students fixate on a "prestige number" -- typically 1500 or 1550 -- because it sounds impressive. But admissions officers evaluate your score relative to their institution's range, not against an abstract standard.

Fix: Use school-specific data (25th-75th percentile ranges) to set your target, not a round number that sounds good.

3. Ignoring Section Imbalances

A student with R&W 700 / Math 550 (1250 total) who spends equal time on both sections is making a strategic error. The Math section has far more improvement potential. Even moving Math to 620 while R&W stays flat produces a 1320 composite -- a 70-point gain driven entirely by targeted work.

Fix: Analyze section and domain scores after every practice test. Allocate study time proportionally to opportunity, not equally by default.

4. Not Accounting for Superscoring Policy

If your top schools all superscore and your R&W is already strong, a retake focused entirely on Math can yield a significantly higher superscore even if your R&W drops slightly. Students who do not understand superscoring often avoid retaking because they fear a lower total, missing the opportunity for a higher composite.

Fix: Research each target school's superscore policy before deciding on retakes. Plan your retake prep around the section that benefits your superscore most.

5. Treating One Bad Practice Test as Final Destiny

A single practice test is a data point, not a verdict. Scores fluctuate based on difficulty, fatigue, focus, and dozens of other variables. One bad practice test does not mean your prep is failing.

Fix: Track trends over three or more practice tests. A consistent pattern is meaningful; a single score is not. If you see a dip, review your error log for new patterns rather than panicking.

6. Refusing to Revise Goals Based on New Data

Your initial goal was set based on your diagnostic score and a timeline. As you study, take practice tests, and see real data, your goals should evolve. Some students improve faster than expected and should adjust upward. Others discover that their initial target was unrealistic for their timeline and should recalibrate rather than grinding through frustration.

Fix: Revisit your three-level targets (Baseline, Target, Reach) every 2-3 weeks based on your most recent practice test data.

7. Ignoring the Opportunity Cost of Excessive SAT Prep

Every hour spent on SAT prep is an hour not spent on essays, extracurriculars, schoolwork, or rest. Once you have reached a score that makes you competitive at your target schools, continuing to push for marginal gains often has lower return than investing in other parts of your application.

Fix: Apply the "Does this next 30 points materially change my options?" test regularly.

Practical College-Tier Planning Template

Turn your score goals into concrete, school-by-school decisions using this planning framework. For each school on your list, fill in the following:

Fill this out for every school on your list -- reaches, matches, and safeties. The exercise transforms vague anxiety about scores into specific, actionable decisions. You will know exactly what score you need, whether to retake, and when to shift your energy elsewhere.

Final Recommendation

Setting an SAT score goal is not about picking a number that sounds impressive. It is about identifying the score range that serves your specific college list, fits your realistic improvement timeline, and makes strategic sense within the full context of your application.

Here is the process in summary:

1. Build your college list first. Know where you are applying before you set a score target.
2. Research score ranges for each school. Use the 25th-75th percentile data, not hearsay or prestige assumptions.
3. Take a diagnostic test to establish your baseline.
4. Set three-level goals (Baseline, Target, Reach) anchored to your college list and your diagnostic.
5. Identify section imbalances and build a study plan that targets your fastest path to improvement.
6. Understand superscoring at your target schools and plan retakes accordingly.
7. Make submit/withhold decisions school by school based on where your score falls in each school's range.
8. Apply the diminishing returns test regularly. When your score is competitive at your target schools, redirect time to essays, activities, and other application components.

A strong SAT score can open doors -- to admission, to scholarships, and to academic programs that might otherwise be out of reach. But your best admissions outcome comes from balanced effort across your entire application. Hit the range that serves your college goals, then invest the rest of your energy where it creates the most impact.

Your score is one part of a bigger story. Make it a strong chapter, then write the rest.