About CR section of SAT

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>I've noticed that many internationals get killed on the SAT because of the Critical Reading. Myself, I scored an average of 750 on the other 2 sections, and a 650 on the CR. </p>

<p>So the question that arises is this: Do colleges/universities take into account the fact that many int'l applicants' native languages are not English? (therefore the low CR score.) English for me is my third language, for some reason I excel at writing but suck a$$ at CR. Thusly a 5 on the AP Lang. and 650 CR. I've heard that schools are more lenient towards internationals with low CR scores than those with low Math scores, because in general, (not to offend anyone,) international students have harder math courses and should have the potentials to score 700+ on the SAT Math. </p>

<p>In contrast, CR is ridicilously hard for non-natives (including internationals), IMO, because they have not received the vocabulary and rhetorical training/education/experience that most American and native English speakers have. I know some people are in similar situations. Anyone have input?</p>

2

<p>if you got a 5 in AP Lang, I don't understand how you could score a 650 in CR......bad luck i guess.....</p>

3

<p>lets look at in another way..if colleges can waive toefl for 600+ CR score...can't they waive CR for 280+ toefl????</p>

4

<p>I am saying so coz i have 600 in cr and 280 in toefl CBT..( reading 28, writing 28, listening 28)</p>

5

<p>@ shail - NO!
TOEFL is just a benchmark, a cut-off, no college wieghs TOEFL at all and TOEFL tests your basic grasp of the English language, while CR on the other hand tests your analytical/quick thinking skills, your vocabulary and your grasp over the English language at a much higher level than TOEFL.</p>

6

<p>ok...so I think I will have to register for the SAT again then...I hope I will get third time lucky...</p>

7

<p>Of course schools take into account that you're not a native speaker. But they also have to take into account the very very impressive numbers of intls who score big time. Getting a low score as an intl is just as bad as getting a low one as a us student.</p>

8

<p>@ shail619 -- yeah give it another shot ! All the best man !</p>

9

<p>I would be upset if they overlooked CR for internationals because I got 800 in CR and only 630 in math...I think reading in general is more important than English expertise to score high on CR.</p>

10

<p>They acknowledge your good score and give a little levee to internationals with less score. But, internationals have a diff. pool , so with lots of intl.s getting above 700, it's hard for them to "forgive" your low score</p>