<p>What's a good number of times to take the SAT? I have All A's and am currently #1 in my class. I've heard that if I take the SAT and get an above average but still under par score for Harvard (eg. 2150) it is best to keep that score and say the reason I didn't get a higher score was because I felt sick, nervous, etc. and cite my good grades as proof. Is this an effective strategy or should I try until I get above a 2300?</p>
<p>Three times is what people usually consider the maximum amount to take it. However, based on Harvard's website, you can take it however many times you need (It's just that the more you take it, the more it becomes diminishing returns - the more you take it, the less and less it'll start going up). IMO, if you're satisfied with your 2nd or 3rd score, you don't have to take it again. If you aren't completely happy with your 3rd score, take it a 4th time. This was the case with me. I had a 2120 for my 3rd time, and then I got a 2270 for my fourth time.</p>
<p>I got a 2240 and am retaking it... i wouldnt say that you were sick if you werent, just take it again and do better. i too am #1 in my class and i figure if i actually study instead of just taking it cold than ill do better. if u can do better, retake it!</p>
<p>You can't "cite your good grades as proof". Proof of what? The SAT and grades measure two different things. Everyone taking the test is nervous and some are sick. Just take it until your happy with your score, but don't delude yourself into thinking that Harvard will overlook SAT scores because you were sick or nervous. In that case, they'd simply expect you to take them again and do as good as you claim you would.</p>
<p>Three is the magic number my friend :D Although I only took twice. I think you should prepare amply before the test and try to take it NOT more than three times. Regardless of what the school's "official policy" is, taking the test too many times can work against you because the admission officers might think that you either have nothing better to do with your life or are obsessed with scores. It's already hard to stand out in the pile of applications they get every year, you def don't want to make them view you unfavorably in any way.</p>
<p>thanks for the advice. i'll still study hard for the first time i take it but if i don't get a good score ill be sure to retake it.</p>
<p>i studied as hard as i could for my one time. one shows confidence and also that you are not completely preoccupied with taking standardized tests. intend to just take one - study your arse off and don't take this as a practice - but if you're disappointed, of course take it again. lather, rinse, repeat.</p>
<p>I'll note the importance of practice...when I took the SAT for the only time last June, I burned through some Kaplan practice test books (made for some unpleasant weekends-couldn't enjoy the beach at the finest times of the year). I didn't expect much beyond matching my PSAT of 214, but I managed to nab a 2370. You never know, just do your best. Don't be afraid to take it again if you get disappointed.</p>
<p>Also, I'm sure you know this, but SAT I isn't the make-or-break. I had my Harvard interview a week ago, and the alumnus said "If they wanted to, Harvard could have a class of just 1600s/2400s every year...but they don't."</p>
<p>
[quote]
I had my Harvard interview a week ago, and the alumnus said "If they wanted to, Harvard could have a class of just 1600s/2400s every year...but they don't."
[/quote]
</p>
<p>It is true that Harvard declines to accept some students who score 2400 on the SAT. It is untrue that Harvard could fill its whole class with such students--such students are too rare. </p>
<p>In actual point of fact, every college in the land admits students who make mistakes on the SAT, because every college in the land has to to fill its entering class.</p>
<p>^having a class of just 2400s is impossible. each year less than 280 people get 2400s and class size is ~1600</p>
<p>sorry for being a literal schmuck</p>
<p>replying to metb, not tokenadult :P</p>
<p>
[quote]
^having a class of just 2400s is impossible. each year less than 280 people get 2400s and class size is ~1600
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Yes, we agree on this point. I've seen colleges other than Harvard claim that they could admit a whole class of 2400 scorers, which makes me think, "In your dreams." Only Caltech has a small enough class size to barely make that possible, but not all 2400 scorers apply to Caltech.</p>
<p>on that note, token or anyone else, do you think there's a feel-good factor for colleges that reject 2400s? i know they like to brag about those cases (last year, we rejected over half the perfect scores and four-fifths of school valedictorians! omg!)</p>
<p>
[quote]
on that note, token or anyone else, do you think there's a feel-good factor for colleges that reject 2400s?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I think people WAY too overthink this. Colleges attempt to admit their strongest applicants, and rejected 2400-scorers are probably missing something else in their application file that is important (for that college) besides scores. </p>
<p>For more discussion of this issue than anyone really needs, see </p>
<p>Good luck to all of you in your applications.</p>
<p>i'd say on a general note, take the SAT up to 3 times. if you need to take it 4 times, it shows that you weren't well-prepared the first 3 times and they should have waited before taking it.</p>
<p>Every single time they offer it.</p>
<p>I've been reading through the forums and it seems like the buzzword would have to be "catch." Although people with perfect test scores are smart, they don't have something that makes them any different from anyone else applying to Harvard. Thats why I'm putting effort into studying AND making myself unique. I've started a recycling program for paper, cans, and bottles in my community.</p>
<p>hook is more like it</p>