<p>So those are my scores:</p>
<p>1: CR (570) Math (690) Writing (640 essay 6) = 1900</p>
<p>2: CR (580) Math (700) Writing (670 essay 8) = 1950</p>
<p>I am really dissapointed about CR score. I've done about 10 official CR sections before the test day and my scores were 600-650 but on the real thing I got 580... </p>
<p>The same with Math - I used DR Chung's math workbook and made 18 tests but only improved my score from 690 to 700. However, I believe that getting better score in math is just a matter of not doing careless mistakes and I think that next time I may be able to make it at least 740. </p>
<p>In the end I am very pleased with my writing score considering that I am not very good essay writer. </p>
<p>NOW I'm wondering what to do. I want to take my last SATs after this summer to brake 2000s and most importantly make my CR score to 600+. </p>
<p>Here is the list of some schools I want to apply to (I'm mostly interested in East Coast's School and majoring Business or Economics): </p>
<p>Northeastern University
Boston University
Fordham University
Syracuse University
Maybe NYU and Boston College.</p>
<p>Do you guys think that such a low CR score would kill my chances of getting into those schools? My Sat scores are in average ranges in all of this schools except for NYU and Boston College. What are other schools on East Coast worth considering with my scores? Should I try taking ACT or focus just on SAT? And What about SAT subject tests - Should I bother taking them even if school doesn't require them? I want to apply early to Northeastern and Fordham so I have two SAT dates left and I don't know how to manage my time with this. I'll be very grateful for any advice. Thank you.</p>
<p>Higher scores would definitely be beneficial for those schools. And their test averages are sorely higher. I would say give it one more shot. And maybe apply regular decision because it could benefical to other parts of your application. I would also recommend trying the ACT. I personally find it much easier. This could give you a test score more on par wroth those schools.</p>
<p>I agree with picklechicken37, the ACT may be a better test for you. I would suggest taking that and seeing how you fare.</p>
<p>The CR score is a bit low for schools like NYU and Boston College. It also depends on what type of high school you go to though and whether your school has a history with certain colleges. However, in general bit low. </p>
<p>What kind of strategies have you been using to try to up your scrores? My son also was not doing well in CR and used some techniques in this post <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/750399-how-attack-sat-critical-reading-section-effectively.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/750399-how-attack-sat-critical-reading-section-effectively.html</a> which helped him increase his scores. You may give it a try and see if that works for you. He is still not where he wants to be but he will be taking the SAT again for the third time in October. </p>
<p>Try also browsing the SAT/ACT test prep section on this forum. There is a wealth of information posted by many with great tips and strategies. Some students swear by the Blue Book and only just do prep with that book. If the schools you want to apply to don’t require SAT II then don’t take them. Just focus on what you need to do to get into those schools – Standardized tests, essays, GPA, etc. </p>
<p>If you have not given ACT a try, perhaps you should. Get a copy of the book from the library and try to do some practice tests and see how you do. Time yourself and take a practice tests from one of the books as if it is the real test and see how you score. Some do better on the ACT so give it a test run. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your response ognopgod. Actually I’ve been using this exact technique you mentioned: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/750399-how-attack-sat-critical-reading-section-effectively.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/750399-how-attack-sat-critical-reading-section-effectively.html</a>. I used it on 5 practice tests before my last SAT and felt that my scores really improved. I got 650 on 3 of those tests (all of them I took just a week before the June SAT) but on the real SAT I was given a passage concerning politics and this is something that I believe killed my score. Now I’m considering redoing all 10 CR sections from Official Guide (blue book) since I was using them long time ago (before January SAT) and I don’t remember them at all or buying Official course on the collegeboard website. Which one should I choose? Many people told me that only official practice tests are really effective for CR and I’d like to give it a try. Moreover, I’ve already used Barrons guide and Barrons 2400 for CR and it didn’t help me at all as you can see from my scores. </p>
<p>And what about the schools I mentioned previously? Are my scores really that bad for: </p>
<p>Northeastern University
Boston University
Fordham University
Syracuse University ?</p>
<p>No I think you have a decent shot at those above 4 schools. Look up the “Common Data Set” for each school and see where your SAT scores fall - 25% percentile, 50%, 75%, etc. If you fall in the 75%+ range you will have a good chance of getting in. The ones with low acceptance rate will be harder but the ones with >45% acceptance it would be easier. This way you will have an idea which scores to tweak.</p>
<p>It seems when you practiced, you did not do full timed practice tests but just focus on certain sections. It would be harder to estimate you score from practice like that. Also, did you go through all the answers and explanations of the questions you answered wrong? Make sure you understand it and can answer it correctly the next time for a similar question. Otherwise, doing practice test alone does not help much.</p>
<p>Considering those 4 schools’ Common Data Sets my Math and Writing scores generally fall into averages and sometimes into above above average ranges. But my CR is in 25% or in very low average range in all of these schools. Ultimately when I take my composite score of 1950 it falls into average or sometimes even into above average. Let’s say I won’t suceed in improving my CR score and it will stay the same. Do those Schools consider my composite score that is not so bad or they will notice CR score and eventually reject me? Does taking 2 subject test and scoring 700-800 on them will help me even if those schools don’t require subjects? I have all summer ahead of me so I am thinking about learning for US History and Math II.</p>
<p>Please Guys. I really need answers for those questions.</p>
<p>Well, so many focus on “average” score ranges or, as you are, on the CR. The liability is that Econ requires both math and reasoning skills. How do your gpa, rigor, activities and personal strengths stack up? At any holistic, it’s about more than stats. But the whole has to be there.</p>
<p>And everyone needs safeties.</p>