Is 580 a Bad SAT Score?

Yes, a 580 SAT score is generally considered very low and uncompetitive for the vast majority of colleges and universities.

Understanding a 580 SAT Score's Standing

When evaluating an SAT score, it's crucial to understand its context relative to other test-takers. A 580 places a student in a very low percentile nationally. For instance, out of approximately 2.13 million test-takers, over 2.12 million students scored the same or higher. This indicates that a 580 score is at the extreme lower end of the performance spectrum.

Implications for College Admissions

The impact of a 580 SAT score on college admissions is significant and largely restrictive. While the definition of a "bad" score can depend on individual aspirations, objectively, a 580 limits a student's options considerably.

Here's a breakdown of what a 580 SAT score typically means for college applications:

• Limited Options: Your chances of admission are significantly constrained to a very small pool of institutions.
• Highly Uncompetitive: For most four-year colleges and universities, especially those with even moderate selectivity, a 580 score is well below their average admitted student profile, making acceptance highly unlikely.

The following table summarizes the general college admission prospects with a 580 SAT score:

This data clearly illustrates that while a handful of schools might consider applicants with this score, it severely limits access to a wide range of educational opportunities. To improve college prospects, increasing the SAT score would be highly beneficial, potentially opening doors to many more institutions.