How important is my 940 SAT score for college admissions?

Hey everyone! I recently took the SAT and got a 940. I know it's not the highest score, but I'm wondering how important it really is for college admissions? Are there schools that don't weigh SAT scores as heavily, or should I retake it to improve my chances? Thanks in advance!

A 940 SAT score can impact your college admissions chances, but the importance of SAT scores varies across schools. Some colleges, particularly less-selective ones, may be more lenient with lower scores if other aspects of your application are strong. That being said, at higher-ranked or more selective institutions, a higher SAT score will be advantageous.

As of the 2024-2025 application cycle, some schools still have test-optional policies due to the pandemic. If a school is test-optional, it means you can choose whether or not to submit your SAT score; this can be advantageous if you feel your score may hurt your application.

If you apply to test-optional schools, your score carries less weight, and the other components of your application (such as GPA, extracurriculars, and essays) will be more important. Examples of test-optional schools include University of Pennsylvania, New York University, and University of Southern California.

However, some schools are returning to the pre-pandemic requirement of submitting SAT or ACT scores starting from the upcoming application cycle. Examples of these are Dartmouth College, Yale University, and the California Institute of Technology. If you target schools that require test scores, retaking the SAT can help improve your chances, especially if you dedicate time to preparing and identifying your weaknesses.

In conclusion, the importance of your 940 SAT score will depend on which schools you're applying to and whether they're test-optional or test-required. Research the specific policies of the colleges on your list and base your decision on whether to retake the SAT on that information. Good luck!