<p>So I just received my scores for the November SAT...and I got a 2280. Now before I go on my rant, please don't think I'm trying to be arrogant or anything; I really mean what I say. </p>
<p>I hate my score; I honestly wanted a 2300+ so badly. It's probably because I couldn't sleep the night before and I was half-asleep during the test, and now I'm beating myself up for it. Still, I feel like I'm so close that if I had just gotten 1 or 2 more questions right I could have reached my goal. I've broke my back studying for the SAT, and now I'm depressed since I didn't reach my goal.</p>
<p>So now I ask you all: Should I take the SAT again? I've worked so hard for the SAT, and I feel like I can do a lot better. This was the first time I took the SAT. My dream school is Stanford, and I feel like if I can't get a 2300+ I'll be rejected for sure. Please help!!!!</p>
<p>Are you a junior? November of your Junior year and your first attempt is a 2280. That’s an amazing score. I know you are depressed and really wanted a 2300, but you are literally 20 points away from your score goal. </p>
<p>I got a 1750 my first time taking the SAT. I wanted to apply to Stanford too. How do you think I felt? I couldn’t sleep the night before either.</p>
<p>It was November of my Junior year. By the time I applied to Columbia I took the SAT three more times and ended with a 2330. </p>
<p>If I can go from 1750 to a 2330, you can easily go from a 2280 to 2300+ considering the amount of time you have left.</p>
<p>Take the SAT again. Take it as many times as you want. Make sure you prepare to ensure you can sleep the night before now that you know it might be an issue. Go to the gym or do cardio to tire yourself out so you can sleep easier. Don’t review the day before (other than like vocab or something).</p>
<p>PS. You won’t get rejected from Stanford because you got a 2280. A 2280 means you are qualified for Stanford and are in the upper tier of SAT scores. I would say even with a 2200 you won’t get rejected from Stanford.</p>
<p>You should definitely take it again if you hate your score. I got a 2330 on my first try, with a 730 in math, the subject I want to major in. I hated my score as well. This time, though, I was able to improve by 50 points, bringing myself to a satisfactory score. </p>
<p>You should note one thing, though. Unlike Solarcode, I highly, HIGHLY disregard taking the SAT more than three times. After that, colleges start to average your scores. For example, say that you got 2280, 2280, and 2280 three times in a row (let’s pray that’s not the case). Even if you get a 2400, the colleges will average the score, which brings it down to a 2310. So, watch out. Besides, it’s better to get it over with sooner. </p>
<p>I also highly recommend taking it as soon as possible after this test. That way, you won’t feel the knowledge you have slowly starting to slip away as time passes. For example, many of my friends took the SAT in October, but I was the only one that reasoned to take it again in November. I am almost certain that those who space it out by two - three months, or even more, have a lesser chance of improving their score. Try doing two practice tests every week so you remember what you learned. </p>
<p>It should go without saying that practice brings you close to perfection. Don’t, however, cram the night before the test. Another trick I would like to bring up is that however many hours you usually sleep, sleep two extra the day before the test. That way, you won’t suffer from drowsiness and a muddled brain in a testing situation. </p>
<p>Good luck on your decision and if you choose so, your next test!</p>