Hi all!
So I’ve taken both tests once and on my SAT I did decently well with a 1500 but only 15 on essay but would like a 1550 or above and much higher essay score and believe that to be a realistic goal. On my ACT I think I did a bit better and received a 35 composite with 10/12 essay. Now, my dilemma is that I can agree that a 35 is very high and am satisfied with it. And many people send in scores only from their best test so I would choose my ACT score as of now. However, for acceptance into a more selective college would it be worth it for me to retake the SAT and try to achieve my goal scores?
If I do achieve that 1550 or over could I send both scores in? Would it look more impressive? Or is it not worth it to retake?
Somethings that I am considering include the fact that I have AP exams during the same time frame as the May SAT date and I don’t want to be overwhelmed with studying. I also have not taken my subject tests which I plan to take in August but if I don’t take my SAT in May I’d have to decide between subject tests or actual SAT in August. I could take something in September or October/the nearest date after August but then the score may not come in for the Nov 1 deadline a lot of colleges have.
So to summarize…is it worth to retake my SAT so I can send in both ACT and SAT (would it make me look better as a candidate to competitive colleges?) or should I spend my time on other things?
The essay should now be your focus. Spend time polishing you Extra-Curri and essay would be better for you.
Your ACT score is good. Now other parts should be good too. Don’t strive for a near perfect SAT. Strive for a near perfect Resume with good essays and experiences.
Good luck to you.
No offense, for a person that scored high on those tests, these are very dumb questions. You need to go on the websites of the universities you apply to and read that information. @skieurope is spot on with his answers.
Thanks for all the suggestions! Sorry if the question makes no sense, from reading a few college info sites I found that a lot of the highly selective ones may require you to send in all SAT scores if you want to submit even just subject tests. So that is why I wondering if it was worth it to retake? Because, if I want to submit a subject test and then am required to send in all SAT scores, a 1500 with 15 essay may not look so good especially when it is against other students who scored extremely well.
But if anyone here has experience/knowledge about if a college sees you did a lot better on one test (for me ACT) and decently well on the other (1500), will that lower score drag you down a little in their eyes? If that makes any sense at all…
Very, very, very few colleges will require that. In fact, you can probably count them on one hand. However, since there are exceptions, you should look at the below link.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/1912440-must-you-submit-all-sat-act-or-sat-subject-test-scores-p1.html
Since standardized test requirements are at the discretion of the college and are subject to change, you should verify with your targeted colleges.
Every college admissions officer will tell you “no.” Since none of us here are AOs, I personally, prefer to take them at their word.