<p>For the SAT I got 800 math, 800 critical reading, and 650 writing. I'm not planning on taking it again. Is that a bad writing score? I'm applying to places such as Amherst, Pomona, and Carleton.</p>
<p>Schools are beginning to give Writing equal weight relative to CR and M.</p>
<p>A strong grasp of the rules of English grammar (and the ability to BS a ton very quickly, very well) are important, for both the best LACs and the best universities.</p>
<p>Don’t bother taking it again, though.</p>
<p>Do you think a 650 on writing will lower my chances at getting in?</p>
<p>it could very well…</p>
<p>I disagree with kwu on whether to take the SAT again. I had 800 reading, 770 math, and 680 (2250, just like you) and I retook to bring my writing score up, getting a 750 on the writing (only losing 10 points between the other two sections)</p>
<p>I think you should definitely retake for schools like Amherst, Pomona, etc. Just look at Pomona’s accepted student’s profile:</p>
<p>25.5% got 800 on Critical Reading, 16.3% got 800 on Math, and the writing 25%-75% is 690-780. A score of 650 puts you well in the bottom 25% of accepted students for writing.</p>
<p>Yeah, it can definitely lower your chances. However, most all colleges superscore the SAT, so take it again, only studying the writing portion and DO NOT study, take practice tests for, or even know CR and Math topics covered for test day. Then, you can get the 800 you want on the writing portion, bomb the rest, and all colleges will see is a perfect 2400.</p>
<p>Also, write a few essays under real-time conditions and post them on CC. I have obtained a 12 on the SAT writing before with relative ease (and 5 minutes left over), so please PM me an essay or two and I’ll be happy to critique it. I don’t guarantee it will be done quickly, though.</p>
<p>As long as you can prove you’re a very good writer (through a combination of grades, awards, publications, recommendations, etc.) I don’t think you need to retake. A 2250 is an excellent score, especially if you got it on your first try, and it basically qualifies you for any top school in the country. My S got a similar score, decided not to retake and ended up at an HYP school. I also continue to believe CR is the most important section and writing the least, though I can’t provide any proof.</p>
<p>whatever you do, don’t do what OHKID suggested. Just because a college superscores doesn’t mean they don’t see all of your scores, which you have to assume they do.</p>
<p>Definitely retake it. The grammar is easy to study for and the essay is formulaic so as long as it follows what they want you’ll get a high score. While you shouldn’t listen to OHKID and bomb the other sections, I doubt you have reason to study any more on the other sections since you’re good at them and comfortable with the format. I doubt after getting 800’s on them you could really fall below 750-800 on a retake even without studying.</p>
<p>Very well. If you are confident that you will be capable of raising your Writing score by more than 60 points, to at least 720, then it is worth retaking the exam–provided that neither your Critical Reading nor your Math scores fall by more than 60 points.</p>
<p>retake. Writing is the easiest subject to study for, and since you are obviously extremely intelligent you could probably hit that elusive 2400 with a little work</p>
<p>yeah, i got a 680 on the WR section too, a 2230 overall. </p>
<p>Ah, it sucks trying to decide whether or not to retake doesn’t it?</p>
<p>It really does! I’m hoping that my essay and good grades in honors/AP english classes will make up for it.</p>
<p>in my opinion, if the way you’re looking at it is to “make up for it [your score]” then I would just go ahead and retake, unless you really aren’t confident that you could.</p>