How should I proceed with low SAT scores?

Test Preparation
1

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>I've just received my November SAT scores. They are 1950 (CR: 640, M: 650, W: 660).
One the one hand I'm very satisfied with them because I've only prepared for barely two months. I am an International from Germany and have never heard of them before. Therefore I'm kinda glad and think they are not too bad.
But on the other hand I'm afraid that this score is too low for the highly selective colleges I intend to apply to. I wanted to get a solid 2100-score on the SAT since I thought that I could make it up with a high GPA, very good ECs, Essays and recommendations.</p>

<p>Now I'm wondering how I should proceed. I am going to take the SAT IIs on Dec 4th in World History, Latin and English Literature.</p>

<p>Would you advise me to retake the SAT I in January or should I probably give the ACT in February a try? </p>

<p>Should I send my November-SAT-scores anyway and mention in the Additional-Information-Part that I'll retake the SAT (or ACT) or should I leave this blank and wait for the new scores?</p>

<p>I also got my TOEFL scores and they are 116/120. Do you think this would probably slightly make up for my low SAT scores?
Or is the 1950-SAT-score an immediate disqualifier for my application?</p>

<p>It would be really kind if you could give me some advice :)</p>

<p>schreibfeder</p>

2

<p>Personally, I think that you should take the ACT. I got slightly worse than you both times I took the SAT, but with no preparation, I was able to get the equivalent of a 2200 on the ACT my first try… not sure how it happened, but the tests are very different. Just take some practice ACTs to get a feel of the types of questions and the pace and you will possibly do as well as me.
I think you should send in the SAT scores just in case, but definitely indicate that you will take the ACTs or SATs again. Your TOEFL scores are excellent, they will probably be a very good addition to your application, the 1950 isn’t a disqualifier at all. :)</p>