Decoding Your 1320 SAT Score: Is It Good Enough for College?

A 1320 on the SAT is a significant achievement, but understanding its true value requires context. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of what a 1320 SAT score means for your college aspirations, covering everything from national percentiles to college admissions strategies.

Understanding the 1320 SAT Score

A composite SAT score of 1320 is a commendable result, placing you in roughly the 89th percentile nationally. This means you've outperformed approximately 89% of all SAT test-takers. While this is a strong indicator of your academic abilities, its impact on your college applications depends on various factors.

1320 SAT Score vs. ACT Score

To provide further perspective, let's convert your 1320 SAT score to its ACT equivalent. According to official concordance tables, an SAT 1320 is equivalent to approximately a 29 on the 36-point ACT scale, with a typical range of 28-30. This conversion allows you to compare your performance on the SAT with the ACT, another widely accepted college entrance exam.

Section Score Breakdown

SAT Math (~660) → ACT Math ~29: An SAT Math score of around 660 corresponds to approximately 29 on the ACT Math section.
SAT Reading and Writing (~660) → ACT English ~29 and ACT Reading ~29: An SAT Reading and Writing score around 660 maps to approximately 29 on both the ACT English and Reading sections.
SAT has no Science section → ACT Science varies: The SAT does not have a separate science section, while the ACT includes Science Reasoning. Your ACT Science score would depend entirely on your science reasoning abilities.
Digital SAT Format: The digital SAT format consists of two sections: Reading and Writing combined, and Math. The digital SAT is adaptive, with each section having two modules of varying difficulty.

Should You Retake the SAT or Take the ACT?

With a 1320 SAT, you have a strong score that places you above 89% of test-takers, making you competitive at most universities. For many students, retaking the SAT is unnecessary unless you're targeting highly selective schools.

However, if you're aiming for the most competitive schools (where 75th percentile SAT scores are 1500-1600), you could consider a retake. Only do this if you believe you can boost your score with reasonable effort and practice.

Read also: Decoding Yale Admissions

Many students double up and sit for both, but it's optional. If you have access to practice, try a full-length ACT practice test to see how you score.

The advice from test prep pros is to "take a timed full-length practice test of each type" and compare results. Some students find they do slightly better on one format.

For example, if you prefer having more time per question (the SAT offers about 41-44% more time per question than the ACT) or you're more comfortable with the SAT's built-in formulas and calculator on all math problems, you might lean toward the SAT.

Conversely, if you're quick at processing information, enjoy science reasoning, or find the ACT's straightforward question style more appealing, you might prefer the ACT.

Colleges Where a 1320 SAT is Competitive

A 1320 SAT gives you access to a wide range of colleges. At state flagships and large public universities, a 1320 is usually at or above the middle of admitted students. For example, public universities like the University of Michigan or University of Virginia often report mid-50% SAT ranges that include the upper 1300s to mid-1500s, so a 1320 would make you competitive. Likewise, many private universities have similar ranges.

Read also: SAT Requirements for LSU

At some Ivy League and other highly selective schools, 1320 is at the lower end of their middle 50%. For instance, Cornell University's admitted SAT range is about 1450-1550, and Dartmouth's is 1440-1560. That means a 1320 is just below their typical range. (Harvard and Stanford tend to have higher ranges, around 1460-1580, so a 1320 is below their 25th percentile.) Another example: Northwestern University's mid-50% is roughly 1440-1550, so 1320 is at the lower end there. In general, with a 1320 you could expect to be a competitive applicant at most top-100 schools.

Moreover, virtually all less-selective colleges and universities would consider a 1320 SAT an excellent score. Many merit scholarships become available. One college guide notes that "a 1320 makes you competitive at most colleges and universities, including many top-tier institutions." And of course, public honors programs and state flagships routinely admit students in this range.

In practical terms, you should include a mix of reach, match, and safety schools - but with a 1320, your "safety" schools will be very solid programs (often any school outside the top 50 or 60). Don't count any college out solely because of your score; a 1320 SAT makes you eligible at essentially every college in the country.

SAT vs ACT: Key Differences

If you're considering whether to stick with the SAT or switch to the ACT (or vice versa), it helps to compare the tests. Here are some key tradeoffs and facts:

Format & Timing: The digital SAT is 2 hours 14 minutes total, with two sections (Reading/Writing and Math). The ACT (without essay) is longer, about 2 hours 55 minutes, and has four sections (English, Math, Reading, Science). Because the SAT has fewer questions overall (about 98) and more time, you get roughly 40% more time per question on SAT than on ACT. In contrast, the ACT is more intense time-wise (131 questions in 125 min, about 57 sec per question). If you find timing stressful, the SAT's longer per-question time can be a big advantage.
Sections: The SAT now has two sections: Reading and Writing and Math. The ACT has four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. Importantly, ACT's Science is optional after 2025, but traditionally there has been a science section, whereas the SAT never has a separate one. (On the SAT, science questions appear within other sections, not standalone.) If you're strong in science reasoning, the ACT's format may suit you. If not, the SAT might feel easier since it never presents a formal science section.
Calculator Policy: On the SAT Math section, you get a built-in graphing calculator app and all necessary math formulas on-screen. On the ACT, you must bring your own calculator and only certain models are allowed; no formula sheet is provided. If you rely heavily on a calculator or the SAT formula sheet, you might prefer the SAT.
Reading Passages: SAT reading passages tend to be shorter and each passage has only 1-2 questions. On the ACT, passages are longer and each passage has about 9 questions. Some students find the SAT's short passages less overwhelming, others prefer fewer questions per passage on the ACT.
Scoring Scale: SAT total is out of 1600, ACT composite is out of 36. Concordance (as above) can map scores between them. For example, 1320 SAT ≈ 29 ACT.
Test Prep & Practice: The SAT offers free official practice via Khan Academy, including 7 full-length practice tests. The ACT has fewer free resources on its site. Many students appreciate the SAT's free materials.
Acceptance: Both tests are accepted at all colleges that require standardized tests. No college inherently favors one over the other. Use practice tests to see which test's style suits you better.

In short, neither test is "harder" overall, but differences exist. The SAT rewards careful pacing, math formula knowledge, and strong vocabulary. The ACT rewards quick work, strong science-reading skills, and comfort with its specific question styles. If you had to pick one, consider your strengths:

Read also: Decoding Princeton Admissions

If you get anxious about timing, like built-in tools, or prefer shorter reading sections, the SAT might be your pick.
If you are very quick, enjoy science passages, or find SAT's tricks (like vocabulary questions) off-putting, you might choose the ACT.

Many counselors advise trying both if possible. But since you already have a 1320 SAT, you're clearly talented on standardized tests. If you do take the ACT, aim to beat that 29 equivalency - if not, remember the 1320 SAT stands strong on its own.

Strategies for ACT Success

If you decide to take the ACT after scoring 1320 on the SAT, here are some key strategies to maximize your performance:

Science Section Preparation: Since the ACT Science section is completely new territory for SAT test-takers, focus heavily on this section. Practice interpreting graphs, charts, and scientific data. The Science section tests your ability to analyze information quickly rather than your knowledge of specific scientific facts.
Timing Practice: The ACT's faster pace (about 57 seconds per question) requires different strategies than the SAT. Practice working quickly while maintaining accuracy. Many students find they need to adjust their pacing significantly.
Calculator Familiarity: Unlike the SAT's built-in calculator, you'll need to bring your own to the ACT. Make sure you're comfortable with your calculator model and know which functions are allowed.
Reading Strategy: ACT Reading passages are longer with more questions per passage. Develop strategies for quickly identifying main ideas and supporting details. Practice skimming techniques to save time.
English Grammar: ACT English focuses heavily on grammar rules and sentence structure.

The Bigger Picture: Holistic Admissions

It's essential to remember that your SAT score is just one piece of the college application puzzle. Colleges consider a wide range of factors, including your GPA, coursework, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. A strong application showcases your unique talents, experiences, and potential.

The PSAT: A Stepping Stone to Success

The PSAT 8/9 is a diagnostic test that tells you about your strengths and opportunities for growth. The PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT are benchmark tests that can track your progress throughout high school and give you an idea of how you may score on the SAT when you take it in 11th or 12th grade. By taking the PSAT/NMSQT, your scores will be shared with National Merit Scholarship Corporation, the cosponsor of the test, who will determine whether you qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships.

Understanding the New Digital SAT

The digital SAT is section-adaptive, meaning that you will get a harder or easier second module of Math or Reading and Writing depending on how you performed on the first section. If you get the easier second module, your top score will be capped, although there is a lot of overlap in final scores between the easier and harder modules.

What Makes a "Good" SAT Score?

A "good" SAT score is one that helps you get admitted to a college you want to go to! Don’t ever count yourself out from applying to a school, even if your think your score is low compared to the school’s average. Your SAT score is only one piece of the puzzle. The average SAT score is around 1050, so if your score is higher than that, it’s above average. A score of 1350 or higher is in the top 10% of SAT test takers. Each school has its own score expectations, and a score that may be average at a highly selective school might be in the top percentiles at another.

Navigating Test-Optional Policies

While over 80% of colleges and universities have some form of test-optional or test-free admissions policies, it’s also important to know that many selective colleges and universities are starting to require the SAT or ACT again.

If you are targeting a school that requires tests, you’ll want to understand whether you fall above, below, or in the middle 50th percentile range. And if you are targeting a school that is test-optional, you’ll want to know whether submitting test scores will help your chances or not (and likely they only will help if they are above the averages for the school, or if they strengthen your overall profile as a student).

Setting Your Target Score

Take note of any score requirements you find during your research, then average all those scores. The result is your minimum score goal for scholarships. It’s also important to note that even when schools have test optional policies, SAT or ACT scores may be required for admission to honors programs, accelerated programs, or competitive majors, so check the admissions pages of your target schools carefully if this applies to you.

Assume that you can score somewhere between 50 to 200 points higher on your SAT than you did on your diagnostic after investing in prep. If you have less time to prepare or are already scoring in the top 10% of test takers, assume the lower end of that range. If you have a lot of time to prep or a lot of room to grow, assume the higher end.
Check your goal score against your target schools’ ranges. Make sure you have some schools on your list where you are above range, many in which you are in range (target schools), and a few for which you are below range (reach school).

The Importance of Retaking the SAT

Always plan to take the SAT more than once. Studies show that most students improve their scores the second time. Furthermore, some schools allow what’s called superscoring, where they will combine your highest score from each section of different test dates of the test into a “superscore”.

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