Does it look bad to take the SAT a 3rd time?

Test Preparation
1

<p>I took the SAT twice (once in May, once in June). Because I was busy with end-of-the-year stuff, I didn't have time to prepare or study for either. My score was relatively good, but I still want to see how much better I can do with studying. </p>

<p>Will it look bad to have taken it 3 times?</p>

2

<p>Just do it.</p>

3

<p>No. 10 characters</p>

4

<p>Read what some colleges say about this: </p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showpost.php?p=4198038&postcount=1%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showpost.php?p=4198038&postcount=1&lt;/a> </p>

<p>See what the College Board reports about students who take the SAT up to five times. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/highered/ra/sat/AverageScores.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/highered/ra/sat/AverageScores.pdf&lt;/a> </p>

<p>Bottom line: don't worry about it.</p>

5

<p>depends if you think you are going to have a huge improvement. If not more than 50-100 points, don't worry about it and leave it as it is. Or only if you really messed up the second time (forgot to read a page or filled in on the bubbles wrong...)</p>

6

<p>I didn't study or prepare at all for either of the first two. Do you think that studying will make a big difference?</p>

7

<p>Many people take it three times. Totally normal. I would not take it four times, however. You can get some nice improvements after three tests, but once you hit four, the additional benefit is not that great.</p>

8

<p>If you feel that you didn't prepare enough the last 2 times, and that now you have the time to give it your all, then I think you should go for it. If you believe your scores don't reflect your ability and think you can do better, that in itself is a reason to retake the test. If not, you'll always be wondering "What if I'd tried one more time...would it have made a difference?". Don't wonder. Prepare as much as possible and retake it. If anything, you'll put your mind at rest.</p>

9

<p>Oh, and I think that studying does make a difference. Familiarize yourself with the type of questions, the format of the test, pace yourself, read, write. I believe it will help.</p>

10

<p>if your first two scores are good (probably over 2100) then dont bother with a third time. its 5 hours of your life that you will never get back.</p>

11

<p>I wouldn't take the SAT 3 times.</p>

12

<p>Definitely take a 3rd time-- take in Dec of Sr. year. You'll get your best score. Take the princeton Review course-- they guarantee 100 pt incr on math & verbal.</p>

13

<p>
[quote]
Take the princeton Review course-- they guarantee 100 pt incr on math & verbal.

[/quote]

do they pay you for your endorsement, Rensdad? Most people can prepare just fine on their own...</p>

14

<p>I agree that most test-takers can save money by preparing on their own. Students tend to do better as they gain experience with the tests </p>

<p><a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/highered/ra/sat/AverageScores.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/highered/ra/sat/AverageScores.pdf&lt;/a> </p>

<p>and as they age and gain life experience during the high school years, so the score gains promised by commercial test-prep services are not particularly impressive. (And isn't the "guarantee" usually just a guarantee of a free retake of the course? Cash back would be more valuable.)</p>