Applying to Top Schools with 5 SATs Taken

I took 2 SATs freshman year and got really bad scores
Took one sophomore year
Took one junior year and got a decent score

I want to try again to get a even higher score in the summer, but that would be 5 SAT’s in total. I have 3 questions.

1)How would top colleges that require and recommend all scores see that?
2)If I only send one score to colleges, would they be able to see how many times I took them?
3)I am a low-income student, would this change how colleges perceive my application (and think that I’m hella privileged)?

PLEASE HELP

@“CC Admin” I didn’t realize this is in the AP Tests section. Could you move it please?

Please help with this question!

@“CC Admin” @CCadmin_Sorin

OK, I moved the thread to the correct place. You really need to provide additional information to get better answers. e.g. what colleges are you are targetting and what is your highest score?

Regardless, at the end of the day, it is what it is. If you feel you need to get a higher score, then retake the test (or try the ACT). A higher score is more important than what colleges might “think”

It’s water under the bridge, but there was no reason to have taken twice as a freshman.

What kind of scores are you talking here? I know Cornell requires all scores to be sent so it may raise some eyebrows, but not all schools have that requirement. I agree with the above post to perhaps try the ACT.

@skieurope @momofsenior1 I took SATs freshmen year for a selective school admissions (which I didn’t end up going). I got 1470/2400 and then 1770/2400. I know these are REALLY bad it’s bc I literally fell asleep in both. I took the new SAT also w/o prep just to see how I would do since I didn’t know I might have to send them - 1350/1600. I took it again with preparation and got a 1510/1600 this year.

Note: Many people have encouraged me to try the ACT, but I took it once sophomore year and got a 25 so I cancelled the score. I’m not sure for schools that do require all scores, what they would think about this cancelled score.

I also find SAT easier and have done a lot of practice tests so I’m not sure if it’s really worth it to study for the ACT

The schools I’m looking at: Princeton, Harvard, Northwestern, Pomona, etc.

If you have over a 1500, I don’t think there is any need to take it again. Focus on your subject tests. Also make sure to have match and safety schools on your list as the schools on your list are reaches for everyone.

A cancelled score, for all intents and purposes, never existed. You don’t need to send.

Particularly if the 1510 is fairly balanced, I see no need in taking again. Focus on other aspects. Good luck.

Thank you @skieurope and @momofsenior1 ! Currently 1510 has my highest scores on both sections (720 R and 790 M). If I take the SAT one more time and try superscore, do I just send these two scores ONLY? Or do I also have to submit the entire SAT history?

It depends on the school if they require you to send in your entire history. Again, I don’t think you need to bother with another try at the SAT as you are above 700 on both sections. As @skieurope said, focus on the other aspects of your application.

Agreed. @momofsenior1 is absolutely correct.

Slightly off topic but I thought for the SAT that you could only cancel a test before you received the score. Is it different t for the ACT?

Taking multiple SAT test isnt the best situation for colleges to see, so try studying a lot then take multiple practice test and until you reach a point that you are satisfied with your predicted score