Hope you’re having a great holiday season! I just had a couple of questions and was hoping some people on here could help me out, since this is my first post and I only moved to the US a year ago, so I’m still pretty confused about this whole thing. I’m also in the class of 2017 (a junior) if that helps anything.
I took the December SAT with no studying whatsoever (I know, that was dumb of me, but I had sports competitions and major papers due, so I prioritized them first) and got a 640 in Math, 700 in CR, and 620 in Writing (8 on the essay) – 1960 in total.
I wasn’t happy with my Math score, but I wasn’t majorly disappointed either, since I know that it’s one of my weaker subjects. However, my writing score really shocked me. I’ve always taken the highest english classes possible and scored a 790 on the literature subject test after taking it on a whim (no studying for that either) – so I promise I’m not bad at writing at all, I’m just so surprised that the SAT essay doesn’t reflect my proficiency, even in the slightest
I guess what my question is, is that I’m now registered for the January 23 test (last chance to take the current SAT as I’m sure you know by now), how can I improve each of those sections significantly (i.e. get around a 750 on each section) since my dream schools are pretty high up there and I know these scores won’t make the cut, especially since I go to a school where 2300+ is the norm (four of my friends have a 2360, 2360, 2380 and 2390 already)
Also, I’m planning on studying for the April ACT and would love love love some advice on how to study for that, since I took a practice paper and it went surprisingly well – or do you think the new SAT would be a better bet? Any tips on either would be much appreciated! Thanks
Also, if this factors into anyone’s replies, I am studying an average of 4 hours a day for the SAT from the Blue Book and some from the Kaplan book + Khan Academy when needed, and have already seen a great increase in score. Perhaps all I really needed was to actually buckle down and study a bit!
Well, some good news. Many colleges don’t care a lot about the writing score. And math is easier to study for and improve than CR. But you are in that awkward in-between SAT window. I’d agree to focus on ACT prep, but take a shot at the new SAT as well with some math brush up ahead of time.
But the most important thing from your post – don’t have “dream schools”, and don’t get caught up in other people’s scores and application plans. Focus first on your safeties and matches. Schools that are a good fit with your academic interests, stats, and what your family can afford. There are tons of good schools besides the top 20 or so that get so much focus out here. It can be harder to find safeties and matches you really like, but that is why you should start there. It takes more time, and you are more likely to end up there than your reaches. Then add a couple of reaches that also fit well.
Thanks so much @intparent, the college advice in particular was great to hear. It’s so easy to get caught up in my peers’ test scores when really I should be focusing on my own.
What do you think I should do about the new SAT and ACT testing dates then? New SAT = March, May, June and ACT = April, June.
Do you suggest I try both? And what would that mean for colleges that don’t participate in score choice? It’ll look like I’m taking the SAT four times if I take the current twice and new twice, right?? I’ve heard that’s not too great…
^^^ these two or three questions can be answered by anyone else who thinks they could help out! (please do… please)
You said that your writing score was poor on the old SAT. The new SAT and the ACT do not factor writing into the total composite score. Also, you will not be able to superscore your old SAT and new SAT, so wasting your time on the old is pigeonholing you to have your testing complete by January (2 tries). Without sufficient prep (for which you have pretty much run out of time) you are wasting your time and your test taking chances on the old SAT (if you take in January, that’s 2 sittings, then if you take the ACT twice, 2 more, then you may want to try the new SAT - once more. That is too many tests).
You said you did surprising well on the practice ACT. For these reasons I suggest you forget the old SAT and focus on the ACT. I would cancel that January sitting, prep for Feb ACT, see how you did. If you did well, then you are done. If not, you can decide then to keep trying ACT or give new SAT a try in March or June.
