<p>I got a 730 CR / 740 M / 760 W = 2230 on my SAT. Math is generally, however, my strong suit, and I'm applying to places like MIT and Harvey Mudd. Should I retake to bring up my math score?</p>
<p>The median is practically 800 in math for schools like MIT and Harvey Mudd, I think you should definitely think about retaking it. The math isn’t that hard, and from what I’ve learned, I over think the questions way too much. I would just brush up on CR and writing, but focus a lot on what questions you missed in math, why, and pick up a study book and make sure you can do every math problem in it.</p>
<p>@pancake. No it wasn’t sarcasm. The OP has very good scores.</p>
<p>A 740 on math is only two or three wrong–likely careless errors, so I’m pretty sure even MIT can figure out that this kid is good at math. IMO, if MIT or Mudd rejects him, it isn’t going to be for lack of 60 points on the SAT.</p>
<p>There’s an old saying that to a guy with a hammer everything looks like a nail. There’s a tendency for kids with excellent SAT scores to “improve” their application by doing what they’re good at–taking standardized tests. </p>
<p>Again, IMO, the time/expense spent on SAT study and testing would be better spent elsewhere–like on the essay or a school project–something that will make an application stand out, because as dyno points out an 800 in math does not do the trick in that respect.</p>
<p>I would retake. I just received a 2290 (730CR, 760M, 800W) and am not necessarily looking at schools like MIT/Harvey Mudd, but I know I can up my CR and Math scores, so I’ll be retaking it as well. Trust me, any student that can score a 740 in the math can definitely get an 800. At that point, it’s up to careless errors and such, not that you lack any understanding of the material.</p>
<p>And the best part is, the second time around doesn’t really require any extra prepping. Just tackle a few practice tests before testing day, and go in with a fresh & cleared mind.</p>
<p>Your scores are very good in the grand scheme of things, but middling-to-average for the schools you’re looking at. Look at their middle-50% ranges–those are daunting enough, but even more so when you consider those admitted because of hooks. The 75th percentile is where any unhooked, high-reaching applicant wants to be.</p>
<p>A higher test score looks better. There is no way around that. You may believe MIT will view a 2230 and a 2330 in the same light, but you’re wrong, so. There isn’t a huge difference, but there is a difference. If you don’t think so, you’re totally underestimating the caliber of applicants at top schools. If 2000 were applying for 1000 spots, the difference in SAT would be meaningless. When 30,000+ are competing for 1,000 spots, you must do absolutely everything to give yourself an advantage.</p>
<p>If the OP has a chance to improve scores, why wouldn’t she? There is absolutely NO BETTER WAY to spend that 4 hours and test fee as far as her application. The SAT is my far the most time efficient boost you can give to your profile.</p>
<p>Highschoolers have a lot of time to spare anyway… Don’t make this an issue about time, that’s so totally absurd.</p>
<p>Thanks guys. If I were to take the SAT again, I doubt I’d spend much time “studying.” It’s not like I didn’t know how to do the math on the test, or that i didn’t know how to do it fast. Clearly the mistakes were silly, and I could do better; BUT I already took the test at the optimal time (it’s supposed to be a harsher scale in the fall right?) so i’m worried i’m just going to do WORSE!</p>