Help a distraught guy in crisis out

Test Preparation
1

<p>Hello fellow souls of college confidential, I look to you for some sage words for guidance in my dire situation. </p>

<p>I wrote a long passage, went full Kanye and cancelled instead of published, so I'll keep myself succinct. Hopefully. </p>

<p>Basically, my October score was way below my expectations and potential (720CR+670(!)M+730W, 8 essay = 2120), and I felt like I brought even further dishonor to my ancestors this morning (felt terribly; skipped 4 math, 2 CR etc). I KNOW based on practice tests that I should get 2300+ on this stupid piece of #$&#*%¥. I never get any math questions wrong when I do them at home. I am going to take subject tests in December (math 1&2, world history). </p>

<p>So, I have concocted two, meticulously devised options from which I want help to choose:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Cancel today's score, retake in January, it will seem like I only did the test twice (I hope) ???? - profit</p></li>
<li><p>Live with today's result (BEST case scenario: 750CR, -9000M, 780W), nail the math subject tests in December, still retake in January, but having 2/3 official tests with dreadful math scores</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Now, if I cancel, is there a way for colleges (ivies, Stanford, etc) to know that I did so? And how badly will it be looked upon if they see that I have done the sat three times?</p>

<p>I wrote this on my phone so I'm sorry if my stupidity all too lucidly permeates this post</p>

2

<p>Writing 3 times is not bad. More than 3 and they start to wonder, but 2-3 is an acceptable number. So go for the 3rd try.</p>

<p>Also, not all schools see all the marks. Some only see the best one, etc. Calm down and write it again. You’ll be fine</p>

3

<p>I see, but wouldn’t it appear more impressive to the adcoms if I only had two official scores and showed a significant improvement between those two, than having three tests (in three consecutive months, if I postpone my subject tests to January) on which I only marginally improve each time? </p>

4

<p>I don’t think admissions officers will hold it against you for taking 3; however, you seem pretty distraught about math and seem set on retaking it regardless of the score so if you’re willing to forfeit any potential boost in CR and W for schools that superscore cancel your score. Again, I don’t think it’ll be a big deal either way. Would not recommend taking SAT I again in December, try January maybe.</p>

5

<p>There’s nothing wrong with a steady improvement. It just means you work hard and study effectively. It’s completely up to you, but bear in mind that neither option is the end of the world. You’re going to be okay.</p>