You scored a 1200 on your SATs, and you’re wondering what it means. Does it mean you passed? Will you get a slot in a university, perhaps even an ivy league college? What does a 1200 SAT score mean?
First, we’d like to say congratulations! You took the SAT and you reached the 76th percentile, which is the 1200 SAT score percentile. This is not an easy feat, and you must applaud yourself for the effort.
Now in this article, we’ll uncover what the 1200 SAT score means for your college admission. Will it be considered by reputable universities? What colleges accept a 1200 SAT score? Are there 1200 SAT score scholarships, or do you need to retake the test to secure a scholarship? These are some of the questions we’ll be answering today, and more. Stick around to find out!
Table of Contents
The SAT Scoring System
What does a 1200 SAT score mean in college? That’s the question bouncing in your mind. But to fully understand your SAT score, you have to first understand how the SAT scoring system works.
Also read: What Are the Hardest SAT Math Questions in 2025?
The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), administered by the College Board, is divided into two sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) and Mathematics. Each of these sections is scored on a scale of 200 to 800, meaning your final score is the sum of your ERW and Math scores.
So for example, if you scored 670 in ERW and 710 in Math, your total score would be 1380. The highest possible total score is 1600, a perfect SAT score.
Raw Score vs. Scaled Score vs. Percentile
You’ve possibly heard the terms, raw score, scaled score, and percentile before. And you’re wondering how they all play out in your final SAT score.
Let’s break it down for you.
Between your total SAT score are your raw score and your scaled score. Your raw score is the number of questions you answer correctly in each section. For example, if the Math section has 58 questions and you answer 47 correctly, your raw score for Math is 47.
Your scaled score, on the other hand, is an aggregate mark given for each question. It is attained through a process known as equating.
Equating is a process in which statistical models evaluate the difficulty of each question, converting raw scores into scaled scores based on this analysis. So scores go from the raw numbers like 20, 30, 40, etc., to 200, 400, 750, etc.—all all staying between 200 and 800 per section.
Why the need for equating, you may wonder. The College Board employs this system to ensure that scores are comparable and fair for each candidate, no matter the level of difficulty per test. So for instance, a raw score of 47 in Math on one SAT might be equivalent to a scaled score of 720, while the same raw score on a slightly harder version of the test might yield a 740.
Finally, percentiles reflect your performance against other test takers. For example, if you’re in the 75th percentile, it means you scored higher than 75% of students who took the test.
Also read: 15 Cheapest Schools in Canada for International Students
What Does a 1200 SAT Score Mean in College?
Having understood the SAT scoring system, we can now talk about what a 1200 SAT score means. A lot of students who scored 1200 want to know, what does a 1200 SAT score mean in college?
A 1200 on your SAT is an average score, placing you among the mid-level scorers.
The 1200 SAT score percentile is 76th, meaning you scored higher than 76% of the other test-takers.
While this is a good average score, it’s not the best. It may get you considered for schools like Michigan State University, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Iowa, but it will not fly for ivy league schools.
To stand a chance at an ivy league college, your SAT score should not be less than 1480.
Also read: 10 Cheapest Universities in Finland for International Students
Is 1200 a Good SAT Score for the First Time?
Yes, 1200 is a good score for your first attempt at the SATs.
The good thing is that you can rewrite the SAT before the end of high school, so you can always aim for a higher score on your next attempt.
See how many times you can write the SAT in our article, How Many Times Can You Take the SAT?
The number of times you take the SAT does not affect your chances of gaining admission. Most students take the SAT an average of two times.
What Colleges Accept a 1200 SAT Score?
Some colleges that accept a 1200 SAT score in the US are:
- Michigan State University
- Pennsylvania State University
- Howard University
- Washington State University
- Temple University
- University of Houston
- Ohio University
- Colorado University
- University of Iowa
- Pace University
Also read: 10 Best Scholarships for Trade Schools
1200 SAT Score Scholarship
If the 1200 SAT score percentile is 76th, does this mean you can secure a scholarship with this score?
The answer is YES! There are scholarships for 1200 SAT scores, so don’t dare give up on your scholarship dreams! After all, you did better than 76% of other candidates in your set, so why look down on yourself?
Here are some 1200 SAT score scholarships:
| No. | 1200 SAT Score Scholarship | Scholarship Amount |
| University of Tennessee- Chattanooga Mocs Scholarship | $12,000 | |
| University of Tennessee- Chattanooga Provost’s Scholars Program | $16,000 | |
| LNESC Ford Driving Dreams Scholarship | $2,000 | |
| Mon Health Medical Center Foundation Scholarships | $4,000 | |
| Eastern New Mexico University Freshman Academic Scholarship | $21,600 | |
| Delaware Educator Support Scholarship | $5,000 | |
| The Mikkelson Foundation Scholarship | $20,000 | |
| EMU Presidential Scholarship | $100,000 | |
| USDA 1890 National Scholars Program | Full Tuition | |
| Texas State University Achievement Scholarships | $32,000 |
Also read: How to Study in the USA without IELTS
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 1200 SAT Score Good or Bad?
A 1200 SAT score percentile is neither good nor bad. It’s an average score. While it may be considered by certain universities, it can definitely be improved upon to boost your chances of gaining admission into more reputable universities.
What Does a 1200 SAT Score Mean in College?
If you have a 1200 on your SAT, it means you passed on average. For college applicants, this percentage means you have a fairly good chance of gaining admission into mid-standard universities, but definitely not the ivy league.
Can I Get Into Harvard With a 1200 SAT?
No, you may not be considered at Harvard University with a 1200 SAT score percentile. Students applying to Harvard usually score between 1500 and 1580, and the competition is still tough with those scores! Thus, you’ll have to score a bit higher to boost your chances of being accepted at Harvard.
Can I Get Into Yale with a 1200 SAT Score?
No, you may not be accepted into Yale University with a 1200 SAT score. Your score should be between 1500 and 1560, at least to be considered at Yale.
Conclusion: Make the Best of Your 1200 SAT Score Percentile!
Are you still worried about what colleges accept a 1200 SAT score? We are confident the answer is no, because in this article, you’ve discovered that a 1200 SAT score could be your path to success.
You’ve discovered that a 1200 on your SAT isn’t so bad. It might not get you into your dream school, but it’ll surely get you somewhere. You’ve even discovered some pretty cool 1200 SAT score scholarships!
So rather than sitting around regretting your score, you can make the best of it! If your aim is not the Ivy League, stop asking what a 1200 SAT score means in college, and start applying to universities that will consider you for admission. Start highlighting your achievements and other strong experiences that will support your application for any of the 1200 SAT score scholarships.
And if you’ve decided to retake the test to boost your chances of gaining admission into one of the ivies, start preparing earnestly. Learn from your mistakes and study using the best SAT prep books.
The point is, whatever direction you’ve chosen to embark upon, make the very best of it! Good luck! Stay connected to this blog for more updates.
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References
- www.collegevine.com – What Does a 1200 SAT Score Mean?
- www.satsuite.collegeboard.org – How Are Scores Calculated?
- www.blog.prepscholar.com – SAT Percentiles and Score Rankings (Updated 2025)
- www.appily.com – 1200 SAT Colleges
- www.scholarships.com – SAT Scores From 1,001 To 1,200 Scholarships
