Is an 820 SAT score considered competitive?

Hello, I just got an 820 on my SAT and I'm not sure if this is a good score for college admissions. Should I retake the exam or focus on other aspects of my application instead?

An 820 SAT score is not considered competitive for most colleges and universities. The SAT is scored on a scale of 400-1600, and the average score on the test is around 1050. To better understand where your score stands, you can search for average SAT scores or admissions statistics for your target schools.

It would be wise to retake the exam if you're aiming to attend a competitive college or university. To help improve your score, consider using test prep resources like The College Board's free Khan Academy SAT prep, official practice tests, or studying with an SAT prep book. In addition to improving your SAT score, focusing on other aspects of your application such as your GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters will help you create a balanced application.

While test scores are important, remember that many colleges still consider other factors when reviewing applications. If your target colleges are test-optional, it's worth applying even if your score is lower than their average scores—but make sure other aspects of your application are strong to show your potential.

In summary, an 820 SAT score is not considered competitive for most colleges, so it would be beneficial to retake the exam and work on other aspects of your application.