<p>December is my last chance, so should i take it?
i know i can improve in math and verbal</p>
<p>here are my scores
1st time) M-670 W-490 V-580
2nd time) M-700 W-620 V-560
3rd time) M700 W-560 V600</p>
<p>since colleges accept best score from ONE sitting, my best score is 1880 (2nd time)</p>
<p>2 days to register for SAT, y i still want to take it, but dont know if 4 times is too many???</p>
<p>Colleges take the best of each component, unless the whole world has turned upside down since I last looked.</p>
<p>That gives you M=700 W=620 V=600. Total is 1920. </p>
<p>I'm not expert, but your math seems to have settled at a level, your verbal seems to have settled at a level, your writing greatly improved and has now settled.</p>
<p>Unless you are going to do something radically different over the next few weeks, I don't think you should re-take. I think you should focus on schools which fit you and your scores. There are some great ones out there. You have a 1300 for the schools which aren't really using the writing score (most of them, I think). This is very respectable, despite what you may read on cc. </p>
<p>You will have great success in April if you select the right mix of schools for your applications. You've already gotten feedback on the chances thread that your scores are respectable and give you safety/match safety/match at several of your schools. Believe it. Then, think about what is important to you in a school, do some new searching of possible schools and re-tool your list until you are excited about it. </p>
<p>I'm a little concerned that your GC may be out of the loop saying that a "one sitting" score is what counts. So be cautious about information you take from that source.</p>
<p>Best of luck. Focus on the positive. Come back to us if you want help in fine-tuning your college list.</p>
<p>I believe some colleges do take the best scores from one sitting, but most take the best scores from several sittings. You should check the websites of the colleges that interest you.
I also agree that you should not retake. Concentrate on the rest of your application and on making sure you have the right mix of reaches, matches, and safeties and that these are schools that you would be happy and could afford to attend.</p>
<p>UCs take the best sitting. Caltech considers all your sittings, good and bad. But most colleges take the best composite.</p>
<p>unless you are absolutely sure you can do better...IMO don't retake...unless you do some major studying before the next one...your scores won't improve that much...besides...if the test is in dec....youll get scores in like Jan. right? Isn't that pretty late for college apps anyway...</p>
<p>i am sure i could do better in math and verbal, on practice tests ive been getting 800 math and 680 verbal, so about a 180pt increase looks good rit?</p>
<p>Just take it. It really can't hurt, despite what people might tell you. If you have the means and you're willing to put in the time, it may turn out to be worth it.</p>
<p>If you have the prep time and the money, I'd say retake. Your verbal improved at third take. December 3 testing is not too late. Adcoms will be able to use the results. With prep, I see CR going up. With helpful advice from English teacher, writing should go up. I wish you all the best.</p>
<p>By the way, don't worry about "too many." Adcoms take a holistic view of your app. While some may not like multiple takes, I think I can go out on a limb and say that that will never be the reason an applicant is denied. You may even get in over someone who had a slightly higher score at one take. The decision to admit/deny is complex. Who gets in is whom they want.</p>
<p>Have you tried the ACT? Some students shine with it and it can make a huge difference. I would give the SAT's a rest, 3 times is plenty. Best of luck!</p>
<p>thanks for input, because i have time to prep i signed up just now to take it again, i hope it pays off, 37 days to go</p>
<p>Four times is really excessive.</p>
<p>I've been in a parent's meeting with an Ivy Adcom who specifically said anything more than three is considered excessive and makes them wonder why the student is compulsive about scores. Three tries is a reflection of your abilities.</p>
<p>I also have doubts about taking the test three times.</p>
<p>Have you considered the ACT? Some students naturally do better on one test rather than the other. S. had a strong score on the ACT with virtually no preparation. He managed a good score on the SAT after the second try but it took a lot of work.</p>
<p>Three times is plenty. Most schools take composite scores. Is there a specific school that you are applying to that only takes one sitting scores? If not, now is really the time to focus on the applications, and finishing up your senior year well. ACT is also a wonderful alternative.</p>
<p>Looking at the scores analytically, with the exception of math which is your best subject, there is no difinitive upward trend. This being the case, what makes you feel that a 4th sitting will improve your scores in the verbal sections of the test other than a random possibility that you might get lucky.</p>
<p>Also, some adcoms use average test scores if the SAT is taken more than 2 or 3 times. In those instances it is more likely that your composite score will actually go down with a 4th sitting. For instance if you scored a W-670, your average score would be 585, 35 points below your high score of 620.</p>
<p>On a more subjective note, taking the SAT a fourth consecutive time might indicate an air of desperation or compulsiveness in the minds of some adcoms.</p>
<p>I think you'd be better served at this point turning your time and attention to writing terrific essays and getting your applications perfect. The most you have increased any of your individual scores in three sittings is the amazing bump in writing in the second sitting. Unfortunately, the next sitting that score went back down. Otherwise, your reading and math scores have pretty much stayed within a 20 point range. It is likely that is what you will get in a 4th sitting as well. Twenty points is not going to make a huge difference in your chances ANYWHERE.</p>
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Four times is really excessive.
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I've been in a parent's meeting with an Ivy Adcom who specifically said anything more than three is considered excessive and makes them wonder why the student is compulsive about scores. Three tries is a reflection of your abilities.
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<p>Here we go again!</p>
<p>No matter how many times and how easy this is to contradict, this old myth won't die. So what if an Ivy adcom said SPECIFICALLY this is considered excessive ... Ivy adcoms have been known to spread FALSE information in their infomal meetings with parents. A survey on this precise issue was sent to 100 elite schools, only three schools expressed a CONCERN for more than 3 SAT, and none confirmed any kind of "penalties." Ask them to WRITE it down, and you'll get a different answer. It was not so long ago that our good friend Ben Jones came on this forum to write something that was clearly in contradiction with the stated policy of MIT. Over the past years, we have witnessed several reports of misleading information shared in parents-adcoms meetings. </p>
<p>On this particluar subject, there is NO DOUBT that a student who score 1500 on his fourth or fifth sitting looks MUCH BETTER than a student with a 1350 on his third, second, or first. Let me repeat that a small "penalty" or "look excessive" will not decrease the statistical score. More important, nobody will ever ELEVATE your score for having taken it one or two times. You get the score and nothing else ... no sugar cookie and no pat on the back. </p>
<p>Further, does anyone truly believe that the SAT scores -or GPA for that matter- are truly subject to that famous holistic and detailed review. Should we not pay attention to the typical 10 minute timeframe to review files and to the fact that technicians and hired help usually interpret the raw data to produce listings or scorecards for students? If you believe that some overworked adcom spend much time over-analyzing the number of sittings and progression of SAT, ACT, and other AP scores, I do NOT. If the school says they WILL take the best scores ... that is what they do! After all, it is also in THEIR best interest, not only yours.</p>
<p>The reality is that there is no verifiable documentation of the "reports" that more than three SAT is excessive. The closest we have come is the comment in Chuck Hugues' book, which comes next to his suggestion never to use myriad as a noun! On the other hand, Tom Fishgrund's book -Perfect 1600 Score: The Seven Secrets of Acing the SAT- clearly shows that a Harvard applicant was accepted after taking FIVE SATs. As we know, Fischgrund was given unprecedented access to complete admissions' files to conduct his research. </p>
<p>Lastly, if the schools really wanted to discourage multiple sittings, it would be easy for them to do so. They could simply announce that they average the scores, impose dimisnishing consideration, or simply follow the UC and UT practices of taking the best sitting only. Yet, what do they do? go to extreme lengths to ease the system, by even accepting mix and matches of ACT and SAT tests. </p>
<p>My conclusion has not changed on this: I do not believe that any student should HAVE to take more than one or two SAT if he or she prepared well. The official sittings should NOT be used as practices. On the other hand, students should not hesitate to take the tests as many times as they wish until THEY are satisfied with their scores AND they feel they can improve. Taking the test again without a dedicated change in preparation is NOT recommended, and that is a capital element. Taking it again in the hope of getting an easier version is NOT recommended.</p>
<p>Gee, Xiggi, how do you really feel? :)</p>
<p>I think Xiggi has said all that needs to be said (and very well, by the way!) </p>
<p>I do have an additional thought -- since you are a senior, why don't you send the scores you currently have to all the schools you are applying to. You can then prepare, as Xiggi suggests, and retake in December. If you perform much better, you can always send those test scores at that time. I think I'd wait to see how I did before sending any, so that means extra $$$ since you would not be taking advantage of the free score reports. Since the collegeboard includes all tests taken on their score report, be sure you've taken (and sent scores) all SAT IIs that you plan to take prior to December. There is, of course, financial cost associated with such a retake, as well as the time you must invest. If you feel committed to doing the prep work, it might work in your favor.</p>
<p>In fact, I think TheDad's daughter retook the SAT I late in the admissions cycle and scored significantly better. Improved scores might also help with any merit aid you are seeking.</p>
<p>Carolyn, would you expect anything different from me? Being in the minority has its risks and rewards. :)</p>