<p>I know this question has been asked many times, but I'm extremely confused with how this system works.</p>
<p>I understand that the ACT and SAT are two seperate tests, but certain colleges like UCs accept either/both. I have also heard that the recommended number of times you should take these tests is THREE. Is it true that if you take more than three, the score gets averaged out? If not, what happens if you take more than three?</p>
<p>What I'm confused is... When they say THREE times, does that mean THREE times for ACT, and THREE times for SAT, or three times TOTAL (as in 1 SAT and 2 ACT, or 1 ACT and 2 SAT). </p>
<p>Sorry if my questions are confusing.. but someone please help!!</p>
<p>You only have to take one (either the ACT or SAT) one time. If you are satisfied with your score, then you are done.</p>
<p>Whether you torture yourself by taking both of them multiple times depends on what college you are aiming at, and whether the score you get the first time is acceptable.</p>
<p>Most colleges accept either or both.
I don’t think that advice was meant to be taken as literally as you’re taking it. You take them until you get the score you want. You don’t need to take more than one if you do very well. If you haven’t gotten the score you want after three attempts (and studying in between), that’s probably as high as it will go so you may as well stop.</p>
<p>So far I’ve taken 2 SATs and no ACT yet.</p>
<p>What do you suggest I send to the colleges? One ACT and one SAT score? Also… do colleges get to know how many times I’ve taken these tests? Or does it really not matter?</p>
<p>There is no absolute limit on how many times you should take each test. However, you should be thoroughly prepared for the test and take as less as possible, for financial reason and better time management. For schools that do not need all your scores sent, they don’t care how many times you take as they would not know. According to statistics, there is little improvement one may get after the third attempt. When the admission office see your scores from multiple attempts, you will give them an impression that you were not well prepared for the test or your are score obsessive. Nevertheless, if you do have a reason to retake the test more than 3 times (e.g. you did much better in practice and you are still far from target score for certain school), go for it. Some schools explicitly said they prepare less test attempts. One article quoted an admission officer at Harvard that they would like to see two or less attempts. I strongly recommend taking both SAT and ACT. Not only you get more opportunity in less attempts of a single test, you can take both in parallel to cut short the waiting time between retake.
Note that some HS put your test scores on your transcripts. In that case, the admission office may know how many attempts you did even you submitted only one score.</p>
<p>If you aren’t taking the ACT 12 times, you are doing something wrong.</p>
<p>Of course I am kidding. Take either as many times as you need to do well. I’d cap it at four of each test, because after that just seems like you are only focusing on tests.</p>
<p>Retaking a test means you will prepare for it may be even more so than last time before the test. So in reality, you cannot have too many prepared retake. It is not like playing lotto that more attempts would increase your chance.</p>