<p>As I will be a senior next year and the quest for college acceptances will begin, I have already taken necessary steps to get myself in a place where I feel comfortable applying for colleges. Except for admission tests. I have taken the SAT's three times now and the ACT's once. Although I could stop testing there, I have not become satisfied with any of my scores yet, but at the same time I know that colleges don't want to see someone who has taken the tests too many times.
With the scores that I have received, I am wondering if it would be an advantage or a mistake to take the SAT's one last time?
The best and latest scores that I have gotten were 1660. 500 math, 580 reading, 580 writing, 8 essay. As you can see, math is not my best subject and was always the score to bring me down which is why I took the SAT's three times already. The previous math scores were 450 and 460.
Where I am at now, I feel comfortable, but I realize that these scores are still low. I am looking to become a neo-natal nurse and attend UMass Amherst, University of Rhode Island or Quinnippiac. Are these scores good enough? would taking the SATs again hurt instead of help?
My weighted GPA is 3.5 and I am involved in almost everything in the school, being a captain or president in almost every club I am in.
I'm really worried that I haven't done well enough and I'm hoping someone can help!
Thank you!</p>
<p>Your GPA and ECs are quite strong. Do have an idea of the average SAT score of the previous year’s admits? This can give you an idea of where you have to be. Like you said, colleges might not look at a fourth attempt too positively. However, you said that you took the Act once-perhaps you could try again? Math on the ACT should be easier as well, its mainly HS algebra and geometry. Good luck!</p>
<p>I do plan on taking the ACT’s again, my composite score was 23 which I am guessing is because it was my first time taking them. For the schools that I am looking into, the reading and writing scores that I have are right in the range that they accepted, but my math scores were a bit under which is why I have some concerns.
Do you think that if I were to use score choice for sending my SAT’s they would not know that number of times that I have taken them? Or do they get told that anyways?</p>
<p>Only take it again if you can improve 100+ points. Have you done every test on BB and understood them? For math, stop practicing, you NEED to know your concepts or else you are testing with no knowledge. Take a look at the Sparknotes guide. And to get your writing score up all you need to do is review the mistakes tested on the test (about 10) and practice. And try to get reading to 600 at least by memorizing 10 vocab words a day and doing one section in the BB 5 times a week.</p>
<p>It’s the Blue Book, or the Official SAT Study Guide (2nd Ed.). Everyone just calls it by what it looks like. Btw, they have it at libraries now, it’s the same one but comes with a decently useful DVD. It’s best to actually not write on it, even if you buy it. That way you can reuse them. Retaking really is up to you, if you feel that it’s all you can do. But if you decide to study then there’s no place for complacency, you need to want to improve. Oh and [Khan</a> Academy](<a href=“http://KhanAcademy.org%5DKhan”>http://KhanAcademy.org) is a useful website with explanation for the BB. I also suggest you go to your library and search in their catalogs for “SAT DVD” its by a company called Video Aided Instruction.
I found this great set of 3 DVDs(which each in includes about 4-6 separate DVDs), which included a review of each section. They tell you to go to a website that has their study guide. Then they do them all. What I like about it is that it teaches you all the diff ways to solve problems, but most importantly how to think for the SAT. After I started to watch the math videos, I would come upon some difficult questions that I wouldn’t know how to do before, and my mind would just click. It really sharpens your skills and quickness. Good luck!!</p>
<p>Depending on the school, you do not have to submit all of your scores. However, if u do increase your math scores, colleges would definitely see this as a result of your effort in strengthening the area you have performed well in. Good luck!</p>
<p>From what I’ve been told on here, schools that use score choice cannot see SAT attempts that you do not send them. That’s why colleges often say it is recommended that you send all of your scores because they only consider the highest sections; they don’t say it’s required. Like others have said, if you think you can significantly improve your score (+50 points or more) and you can afford it, you should retake. It can only help your chances.</p>
<p>I also strongly recommend you buy the official study guide if you don’t already have it.</p>