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Students and families often ask: Is 1250 a good SAT score?
For NRI students aiming for U.S. universities, the answer is not a simple Yes or No. It depends on:
This guide breaks down what a 1250 means today, where it stands in admissions, and how NRIs can make the most of it.
The SAT uses a total score range from 400 to 1600, combining two main sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math. Each section is scored on a 200–800 scale, and the total is the sum of these two sections.
| Section | Score Range | Notes |
| Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (ERW) | 200–800 | Tests reading comprehension, grammar, writing skills |
| Math | 200–800 | Covers algebra, problem-solving, and advanced math |
| Total Score | 400–1600 | Combination of ERW + Math |
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The U.S. national average SAT score is around 1050–1100.
A 1250 score is above this average and typically places you in the 77th–85th percentile.
| Aspect | What it Means |
|---|---|
| Total score range | 400–1600 (EBRW + Math) |
| Typical U.S. average | Approximately 1050–1100 (varies by year) |
| 1250 placement | Above average; percentile depends on year and cohort |
Whether 1250 is “good” depends on your goals, target colleges, and the rest of your application. Below is a concise comparison to help you gauge where a 1250 stands in different admissions contexts.
| Comparison | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| 1250 vs national average | Typically above the national median; signals solid readiness for many public universities and mid-tier private colleges. It is competitive for many state universities and regional institutions. |
| 1250 vs competitive/ highly selective colleges | Often below the middle 50% of the typical admitted range for top private universities and highly selective publics. Such schools weigh GPA, course rigor, essays, recs, and ECs more heavily, so a 1250 alone may not suffice. |
| Good depends on goals (safety vs reach) | If you aim for safety or match schools, 1250 can be strong with a strong overall profile. For reach schools (especially highly selective private universities and elite public schools), you’ll usually want a higher score or compensating strengths in other areas. |
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Practical takeaway: define your target list with three tiers-safety, target, and reach-and use the 25th–75th percentile ranges published by each college to position your 1250 within those bands. If your scores are near or within a college’s typical range, emphasize other strengths to tilt the odds in your favor.
The list below illustrates the spectrum of colleges where a 1250 is within, near, or above the middle 50% range for admitted students.
| College | Typical 25th–75th SAT Range* | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| University of Florida | 1200–1390 | 1250 sits well within the middle 50%; public state university with broad program strength. |
| University of Texas at Austin | 1170–1410 | 1250 is common for many majors; competitive programs may see tighter ranges by major. |
| Michigan State University | 1120–1310 | 1250 sits comfortably in the middle band for many majors. |
| USAna University Bloomington | 1130–1340 | 1250 aligns with a broad range of programs, especially in STEM and business. |
| Arizona State University | 1170–1370 | 1250 typically falls within the common admit range for many pathways. |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | 1200–1400 | 1250 often competitive for many programs; some selective majors may require higher scores. |
| Colorado State University | 1090–1310 | 1250 is within reach for many tracks; solid option for diverse majors. |
| University of California campuses (non-impacted majors) | Typically higher ranges overall; 1250 may be below the median for many campuses, but GPA and coursework matter. | Note: UC admissions heavily emphasize GPA and other factors; test scores have varied by year and policy. |
| Northeastern University (various campuses) | 1420–1530 | 1250 is below the typical middle 50% for many programs; still possible with a strong overall package and major choice. |
| Private universities with broader ranges | 1200–1350 | 1250 is often within reach for several programs, especially with robust essays and ECs. |
Practical approach for NRIs: build a balanced list that includes public universities with wide admit ranges and private institutions that value a holistic profile. For families in the UAE/ GCC, consider programs with active international recruitment, transfer pathways, and campuses offering time-zone-friendly online admissions support.
| Type of Scholarship | SAT Range Considered | Additional Factors | Examples of Benefits |
| State University Merit Aid | 1200–1300+ | Strong GPA, financial need, consistent academic record | Automatic or enhanced tuition discounts, priority housing, honors program invites |
| Private College Institutional Scholarships | 1200–1350 (varies by college) | GPA, essays, distinctive achievements (e.g., national awards, STEM projects, leadership roles) | Partial tuition scholarships, honors college admission, research funding |
| Holistic Merit Scholarships | No fixed cutoff, but 1250 strengthens profile | Community service, leadership, extracurriculars, rigorous coursework | Named scholarships, leadership awards, special program entry |
| External / Regional Foundations | Some list SAT minimums (often 1200+) | Application essays, recommendations, local community involvement | Additional funding to supplement university aid; renewable stipends |
| Strategy | What to Do | Why It Matters |
| Pair Score with GPA | Maintain a strong GPA in rigorous courses (AP/IB/Honors) | Shows academic consistency and readiness for college-level work |
| Strong Recommendations & Essays | Request meaningful letters and write a personal statement that highlights resilience, initiative, and impact | Helps scholarship committees see you as more than just numbers |
| Build a Leadership Resume | Document activities, leadership roles, and community service | Many merit scholarships reward leadership and impact beyond academics |
| Explore State & Regional Scholarships | Search for opportunities targeting NRIs or U.S.-based applicants | Broadens your funding pool beyond university merit aid |
| Stay Organized with Applications | Keep a running list of scholarships, deadlines, and prepare adaptable documents (transcripts, resume, essays) | Saves time and ensures you don’t miss deadlines |
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Many colleges in the United States adopted test-optional or test-flexible policies, especially post-2020, but policies vary significantly by institution and program. NRIs should carefully interpret these policies in the context of each target college.
| Scenario | What to Do | Why It Matters for NRIs |
| When to Submit Scores | Submit if your 1250 is within or near the college’s middle 50% range and your GPA/coursework are strong. | Demonstrates readiness and strengthens your application at schools that want a holistic profile (not GPA alone). |
| When to Go Test-Optional | Don’t submit if your 1250 is below the college’s typical range, but you have a strong GPA, essays, leadership, and challenging courses. | Avoids drawing attention to a mid-range score while highlighting other strengths. |
| Practical Step 1 | Work with your school counselor/TestprepKart advisor to align transcripts from non-U.S. boards (CBSE, IB, etc.) with U.S. expectations. | Ensures your academics are evaluated fairly across systems. |
| Practical Step 2 | Provide English proficiency scores (TOEFL/IELTS) if required by your target university. | Many test-optional colleges still expect language proof for non-native speakers. |
| Practical Step 3 | Plan submissions in sync with U.S. timelines while accounting for your local (UAE/USA) time zone. | Prevents missed deadlines and ensures documents are processed on time. |
The decision to submit depends not just on the score, but on the holistic picture: GPA, course rigor, essays, letters, and demonstrated interests. If your 1250 is part of a strong overall package, submitting can be advantageous; otherwise, you may rely on the other elements to carry your profile.
Ready to plan a strategic, time-zone-friendly path for SAT prep and US college admissions? Download our comprehensive eBook for NRIs, featuring:
Many students wonder how achievable a higher SAT score is and what a practical improvement plan looks like.
| Area | Action Steps | Why It Matters |
| Realistic Score Gains | Expect 40–150 points improvement with structured prep | Sets achievable goals and avoids unrealistic expectations |
| Retake Strategy | Plan a retake with at least 8–10 weeks of preparation | Builds mastery and increases familiarity with Digital SAT format |
| Focus on Weak Areas | Target reading comprehension, grammar/writing rules, data analysis in math, and algebraic reasoning | Strengthens the sections most likely to give you quick score boosts |
| Official Practice Tests | Use College Board’s Bluebook tests under timed conditions | Improves pacing, stamina, and familiarity with actual question style |
| Strategic Review | Review every mistake, categorize errors (concept gap, careless error, time issue), and drill weak spots | Converts mistakes into learning opportunities and reduces repeat errors |
| Test-Taking Strategies | Practice time management, skip/return methods, and educated guessing | Maximizes points by focusing on high-value questions first |
| Time-Zone Aligned Plan (for NRIs) | Build a daily/weekly study routine that matches your local time zone (US/UAE/USA). Schedule practice tests at the same time you’ll take the actual SAT. | Helps your body and mind adjust to the real testing environment, ensuring peak performance |
| SAT advisor Support | Work with TestprepKart advisors for personalized prep schedules, time-zone planning, and section-specific guidance | Ensures discipline, accountability, and expert direction to push scores higher |
| Week Range | Focus Areas | Expected Progress |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | Diagnostic, identify weaknesses, build baseline | Stabilize routine; small gains begin |
| Weeks 3–6 | Targeted drills on one major area (e.g., Reading) | 40–60 point potential |
| Weeks 7–10 | Full-length practice tests; review mistakes | Additional 40–60 points possible |
| Weeks 11–14 | Advanced strategies; time management; stress control | Final polish; near-final target |
| Weeks 15–16 | Light review; rest; test-taking readiness | Confidence boost; readiness peak |
Note: Improvement depends on starting point, study consistency, and access to quality practice materials. For NRIs, leveraging time-zone-friendly coaching, such as TestprepKart’s live online guidance, can help maintain discipline and consistency across borders.
He is a Digital SAT mentor with 10+ years of experience, working primarily with SAT students all Over worldwide. Their students have consistently progressed toward 1520+ scores by improving timing, accuracy, and trap-answer control through official-style practice, detailed mistake analysis, and clear weekly action plans.
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