First, as a disclaimer. I know this is already an exceptional score, and I am very proud. However, I feel as if I could do even better. And since my dream colleges are Yale and Johns Hopkins, I feel like a better score may help. This was my first time taking the SAT, and I am in the Summer after my sophomore year.
My scores were
Critical Reading-780
Math-800
Writing-720 (Essay 9/12)
I went into the SAT not knowing much, and was woefully unprepared for only having 25 minutes to write my essay. I did not finish, as was lucky to get a 9/12. I also have always done the worst on Writing on the PSAT, and thought if I studied I could improve my multiple choice score.
Long story short: Should I risk doing worse, when I have the possibility to keep my Math and Critical Reading scores constant, and get a better Writing score? Therefore giving me more like a 2350. Is it worth it?
I don’t think the SAT essay is that important. You should forget SAT and focus on other things
Your at the 75th percentile for M & CR at yale, but the 25th Percentile for W.
If you’re confidant in the fact that you can improve Writing close to an 800 while maintaing your current CR & M scores, i would go for it. Why not stand in the 75% in every section?
— But, i wouldn’t kill myself studying for another SAT. If SAT prep is distracting you, then abandon prep and focus on school work/extracurriculars
I agree with @AmericanPride. If you do decide to do more prep, get Erica Meltzer’s SAT grammar book for the MC… There’s a lot of good advice in old threads for the essay and I also like PWN the SAT’s essay guide. A lot of the info in both of those books is available on their websites if cost is an issue.
My son got a 7 and an 8 on his essays, but has AP credit from the AP Language and Composition test.
I’d stick with your 9/12 and 720. Unless you are going into writing.
Check on whether the schools superscore, that will matter, though most better schools will see all of your scores even if they superscore.
This is a tough call, as this was your first take, and you are not even a junior yet with a super score. You could take it again, but I wouldn’t stress over it.
I’m in a similar situation as you. I received a 2290 with an 800 M, 800 CR, and 690 W w/ 8 essay
I’m a rising senior and this was the first time I have taken the SAT. I will probably retake it because of superscore, but I’m not sure if i can maintain my CR + M scores.
If you are retaking, make sure you take it by January. After that the test will be very different.