<p>For example, I've taken the test three times now. On the last testing I got a 790 math, but this time, since I may have accidentally overlooked one problem in a quantcomp section, that score may be significantly lower this time. Will colleges take this dramatic drop into account even if the verbal increases from the last testing?</p>
<p>not really. colleges know that any given month's test can be harder or easier than any other month's test. for every sat there is a score range of 60pts. They assume that if you were to take any other month's test you would get between -30 or +30 difference in score. i would extend this range to -50 +50 for the test that have an extremely low curve. so as long as your within the range of your scores it won't look bad at all.</p>
<p>Thing is, on my transcripts I show strong math ability, and this one error may cause a dramatic decrease.</p>
<p>i jumped over 150 pts in Verbal and writing over the last year ....</p>
<p>Not talking about jumps lol, DROPS.</p>
<p>one error = dramatic decrease? I know the SAT I math curve is a bitch but personally I think your worrying too much.</p>
<p>No I mean I accidentally overlooked something in the quantcomps I think but kept going. Like I didn't see problem 10 for instance and put the answer for 11 in 10, 12 in 11 etc</p>
<p>What if I send an extra paper to my colleges saying that the drop in math (if it indeed drops) is great because of this error and would have been much higher otherwise?</p>
<p>That wouldn't hurt. The admissions officer should be able to notice the fluke score quite easiy among 4 tests. If you send in an additional note it should just make it more obvious.</p>
<p>However, do you think your verbal score increased drastically? If you upped it by more than 30pts, I would keep the test but If not, it wouldn't hurt to just cancel your score outright.</p>
<p>I am fairly certain that my verbal has increased quite a bit.</p>
<p>legendofmax, i know what problem you think that you overlooked, was it the one with t^2. You probably did the question, and probably got it right, just that it was so simple that you dont remember doing it. Trust me, your still in the territory of getting an 800. I know that your really good at math (by previous posts), and it wouldn't surprise me one bit if you got an 800 math.</p>
<p>I already have an 800 math, but I am worried that, for example, if I <em>did</em> skip that question on accident I'd drop down to like a 600-680 or something in math even though I have 800s in SAT1 math from before/800 Math IIC/800 Physics. I am just worried that they will see a big decrease and think I am either slacking off or getting worse.</p>
<p>I thought colleges only see your highest score?</p>
<p>They do, but I wonder if they also look at the trends in your scores.</p>
<p>For example is there a difference between these two applicants:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Test 1: 750V 780M
Test 2: 800V 620M</p>
<p>Total score: 1580</p></li>
<li><pre><code>Test 1: 700V 730M
Test 2: 780V 800M
Total score: 1580
</code></pre></li>
</ol>
<p>i jumped 210 points in SAT I in 1 year. first time was 1130, 2nd time 1340 and third time 1290.
highest math 800
highest verbal 600
but as you can see, drop from 2nd to 3rd,
i think it's going to affect my apps big time, what do you guys think?</p>
<p>Bump......</p>
<p>I've taken the test four times, now. My first time was a 1200, then a 1240. After a huge break (May to November) I got a 1360. Let's say hypothetically, that I got a 1400 on the December test... would it be looked down upon, because I took the test four times?</p>
<p>Oh my god you guys quit jacking my thread.</p>
<p>I think it depends on the people who read your application. If they're one of those "I'm so tired... I'll just glance over these scores and see which is the highest," then you're safe. But if they're in their normal state of mind, I think they'll take the score decrease into account. There seems to be no way out for you. If you send them a letter explaining the score decrease, they not look at it in a favorable light. They'll think that you are a careless person to having made such a mistake on such an important test. On the other hand, there's a possibility that you haven't missed any question at all, and that you're just worrying too much. So use your own judgment whether you want to cancel the scores. You know it best.</p>
<p>"If you send them a letter explaining the score decrease, they not look at it in a favorable light. They'll think that you are a careless person to having made such a mistake on such an important test."</p>
<p>I don't buy that. First of all the college admissions staff would acknowledge the fact that you must be mature enough to send them a letter explaining the reasons and I think they should consider that.
Secondly you can also mention the reasons in an essay- i don' know what you are writing about but think that it should be good. and explanatory
good luck</p>