Advice on SAT and ACT scores

<p>Basically I took both of these test and see on the SAT i did okay but my math was really a lot lower than i thought. But on the ACt my math is perfect. The problem lies in the rest of the scores. My SAT CR is okay but writing sucks. On the ACT all my other scores suck including science (which i dont get b/c i get like 34s on practice test. probably fatigue and time issue). Should I send MIT my ACT math to make up for the SAT math. I am a junior.</p>

<p>SAT CR 630, Math 690 WR 570 (essay 8)
ACT Eng 25, Math 36, Reading 27, Science 25(i know horrible)</p>

<p>Dont say that I have no chance at MIT also b/c i got everything else really good except for my SATs. I just cant study for them b/c i dont have time b/c of my other ECs. I can't retake until October b/c of State track meet and Family Vacation in June.
So any advice would be appreciated
Thanks</p>

<p>You know, I never really understood the connection between science ability and the ACT science section -- I took the ACT in eighth grade for a talent search and again in eleventh grade for college, and my science score actually went down three points. Go figure...</p>

<p>Anyway, it's really to your advantage to submit any and all scores you have -- MIT will look only at the scores that present you in the best light.</p>

<p>In his testing</a> FAQ, [url=<a href="http://matt.mitblogs.com%5DMatt%5B/url"&gt;http://matt.mitblogs.com]Matt[/url&lt;/a&gt;] said

[quote]

Q. Do you prefer the SAT or the ACT?</p>

<p>A. We honestly have no preference. If you submit both, we will use whichever scores that makes you look best.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>MIT didn't even LOOK at writing this year, i'm doubting it will be overly weighted next year.</p>

<p>And no one's gonna lie about it - your scores are low. Low enough they might get a questionable glance from a committee. </p>

<p>And you said

[quote]
I just cant study for them b/c i dont have time b/c of my other ECs. I can't retake until October b/c of State track meet and Family Vacation in June.
So any advice would be appreciated

[/quote]
</p>

<p>So, i'll assume you can study in july, august? Because you might want to look into that.</p>

<p>Math can be practiced and learned, writing won't matter (focus on your essays not on that numbers, as SpartanPhoenix noted), but the verbal will probably need to be higher. I know MIT is a tech school, but the average CR scores are significantly higher than that. The math, at least you did well on the ACT. If possible, try to figure out why you did so much better on the ACT than the SAT and try to repeat it when you retake the SAT (which you obviously have to do). The best and really only way I know to improve a verbal score (aside from memorizing lists of vocabulary - not fun by any definition, but it works) is to READ. And then read some more. And when you finally get sick of that, pick up another book and start reading. I know you said you're short on time, but the only way to get a sense for how written pieces are and should be structured is to do it. Good luck! I personally think the Math scores are easier to bring up than the other two. Take practice tests too. None of this will be enjoyable, but this is what it will take to raise scores.</p>

<p>Writing may, in fact, matter next year and in future years. I was speaking with someone today who would have reason to know; I referred to my younger son's decent new SAT W score but said, "Oh but I guess that won't matter," and the individual said something along the lines of, "But it will next year." So.... don't count out the need to perform reasonably on the Writing section as well. </p>

<p>The "Xiggi method", which you can find if you search these boards, has been very effective in helping students increase their SAT scores. It would be to your advantage to do so, without a doubt.</p>

<p>--> Here you go: here's the link to the Xiggi method:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=68210%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=68210&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I didn't mean to discount the writing section in general, only somewhat with regards to MIT. I did well on that part, so I can't say for certain that a low score on it won't hurt you in MIT admissions, but I know that while some schools looked at it this year, MIT did not. I would expect that it will still be the least important of the three scores for at least the next several years at this school.</p>

<p>Also can anyone help explain something to me. Sophmore year PSAT i got a 201. Then I come back Junior year suck it up and get a 187. Now on SAT i got a 1890. My writing was a 76 Sophmore year then dropped to like 59 and now its a 570. Hmm i must need to find out how i had such a good day 2 years ago.</p>

<p>I seem to have been on the right rack for sucess but now i look like i am digressing. time to study during June and July. Out of school May 26 YEAH! Back in school August 7 to the previous poster about study july august. BOOO!!</p>