<p>I recently found this quote on Harvard's website and am a little bit confused...
"If a student takes the required tests more than once, which results does Harvard consider?
We consider a student's best test scores, but it is generally our experience that taking tests more than twice offers diminishing returns."</p>
<p>Does this mean that it hurts your chances at admission if you take it 3 times, or does this mean that they don't think your score will go up too much if you take it 3 times?</p>
<p>Haha no that simply means that Harvard feels that when one takes the SAT more than twice, not much substantial increase in scores is seen. Perhaps someone might get a 1980 the first time, and then a 2010 the second. But for folks here in CC, that rule is different, since mostly anyone actually prepares harder the second time. </p>
<p>Don’t let that scare you. However, I did attend an admissions tour once at Harvard, and one of the admissions officers said that if someone took the SAT more than 6 times, he would consider it an extra curricular activity So don’t over do it!!</p>
<p>My Opinion: The Stat is a statistical test so it’s all based on probability, if one is 70% confident that he/she can improve. The chances of improving two tests in a row is only (49%) (.70*2). Super scoring & study bias complicate things, but the basic premise holds.</p>
<p>Do it for fun if you want. Some people really enjoy taking the sat. They’re saying that they don’t think it’s worth it to take 3 times but not saying anything with regard to judgments</p>
<p>Statistically, “There is no evidence to support the idea that taking the SAT more than twice results in significant score gains.” That’s a quote from the College Board website, as they have found that students scores do not appreciably rise after taking the test three or more times.</p>
So don’t over do it!!</p>