How Many Times is Too Many?

Test Preparation
1

<p>I've already taken the sat and act twice each, and received an 1840 BOTH times I took the sat and a 27 BOTH times on the act, which is highly annoying, and already signed up for a third test for each. </p>

<p>Do you think colleges will look down on my application if they noticed how many times I've taken the tests and seen that I haven't improved in either?? </p>

<p>I'll admit I haven't rigorously studied for them because I was focusing more on ap tests and finals, but I've finished my act and sat Princeton review prep books and have taken a few practice tests in each of the books so is there anything more I can do or am I destined to be stuck at 1840 and 27? </p>

<p>Also note that i'm a horrible test taker, i always have been, so any test taking tips that aren't in generic prep books are much appreciated! </p>

2

<p>First of all - pick the test that makes the most sense for you. No sense in investing the time, energy and money into both the SAT and the ACT. Second - analyze the subscores. Is one section pulling you down or is the composite score (for the ACT) a reflection of all the sections, and are the SAT subscores similar or really different? If it is one section - then it might make sense to focus on that section. Either way - to make the additional testing worthwhile, you have a way to change up your study approach (e.g. invest more time, find a tutor, etc). If you don’t have the time and/or do not have access to a different structure for studying, then I suspect you will end up with similar scores. You have to be able to change an input to change the output (sorry - I am an engineer by training). Good luck. </p>

3

<p>Maybe you should get a tutor and do more than practice questions.</p>

4

<p>@poohbah29 I would continue taking it, if I were you. My daughter isn’t taking both but has taken the ACT twice getting the same score. She’s scheduled to take it again next week. With her, she’s trying to get into a direct admission PT program, so a point on the ACT could make a difference. I think you should focus on one testing service. </p>