I scored a 1490 on my SAT (760 reading/writing and 730 math). My question is whether my unusually high reading score compared to my math score is a benefit or not. Are all 1490s the same to colleges, or is having a higher reading score beneficial due to its rareness?
No, there’s nothing special or rare about an 800 in either section. High scores are common in both sections. It might worry a school if someone with a 1490 applying to a STEM program had a 690 in math.
Your scores show that you should be able to handle both quantitative and verbal work. But they won’t set you apart.
Top colleges will look at them individually, not as a grand total. Try to understand what bar they look for, many colleges do break this down, in their admissions web pages. Ultimately, it depends on where you plan to apply. And in holistic, it’s not just stats.
From a statistical standpoint, your scores are 99th and 95th percentiles. A 1490 of 690/800 would be 93rd and 99+ percentile. Schools recognize the difference, so not every 1490is the same. If you’re applying as an English/social science major, your profile would likely be more appealing. As a STEM applicant, the 690/800 would likely be a better candidate.
Overall, these are small gradations in the acceptance decisions.
FWIW, I don’t consider 99+ percentile scores to be nothing special. By definition, <0.5%, one in two hundred, is not “common” in the overall high school population.