<p>Hey all who were kind enough to click this, here's my deal ... </p>
<p>I'm a junior. I took the SAT-I (old) last fall and got a 1520 (720M). I took it again this January hoping for a 1600 and got a 1580 (780M). </p>
<p>On all the practice tests I took, I got 1600. I guess I worked slower on the math in the real thing because I was being more careful and not trusting my instincts as much, which I definitely should have. It dragged me down and created a time crunch toward the end. I think I can break this habit and get an 800 on the math next time if I really work. </p>
<p>I need to know whether to take the New SAT. As I got an 800 on the Writing SAT II, I think I have a good chance of getting a 2400. However, that would be the third time I took the SAT, which would probably look bad, even though they are effectively two different tests. And APs are coming up, and I have one more SAT II to do, so maybe I would be best channeling my energies into those things and not a third SAT-I. Plus, 1580 is already a fine score for admissions purposes -- so I shouldn't take the New SAT, right? (All of the colleges I'm interested in will accept either test.) </p>
<p>Well, not so simple. My college counselors at school might **** off if I don't take their advice and take the New SAT. Furthermore, SATs are a huge ego thing for me. I got a 239 on the PSAT (the 79 was verbal) and lust after perfect scores. I have 800s on two SAT IIs and am hoping for a third. I go to an elite school where about 10 out of 100 people per class get perfect SAT scores, which makes me mad because I think I'm smarter than a lot of the past perfect scorers. Furthermore again, I want to be nominated for Presidential Scholars and such.</p>
<p>Should I take the New SAT? Or maybe I could take the ACT--that would certainly solve the Prez Scholars thing and also wouldn't look as bad as a third crack at the SAT... any advice at all would be lovely!</p>
<p>With the new writing aspect, will your old scores still count next year? I mean they will count, but its a new test, sooooo. That is what would be the driving factor. The ACT has a writng part. So if you are going to be compared to a whole slew of high scores with writing elements, and you haven't done that, no matter the high score, that could be a determining factor</p>
<p>take everything again to prove you got skills, get like 5 consective 800s in IIC, writing and another test, and get three 2400 on three new SATs, then redo your whole high school 4 years 3 times to get 4.0uw to show skills you got skills. I am behind you man!</p>
<p>Many people would probably flame you for your obsession with perfect scores, but I think I understand where you're coming from. I have come close to perfect scores on a lot of different tests (SAT, AMC 12, AIME, etc.), and it is aggravating to come so close but misread a question or something lame like that. But I think you should let it go. For one thing, what if you messed up again, or maybe did even worse?</p>
<p>There are other ways to prove you are smarter than other people. Go make a national math/science olympiad or something. That reflect a lot more intelligence than a bull***** test.</p>
<p>And I think your counselor is full of crap- from an admissions standpoint, I suspect taking it again can only hurt, not help. As for Pres. scholar, isn't 1580 sometimes good enough?</p>
<p>i agree with feuler. if none of ur schools exclusively want the new SAT, there's no point in taking the new one with a 1580. the only reason i'm taking the new SAT is because i'm applying to UC schools who only accept the new one (got 1560 on the old one)</p>
<p>Newbyreborn (and feuler a bit),
Your implications were right, my post definitely made me sound like a prick. I'm very sorry...I don't think I'm a prick in real life...anyway. </p>
<p>Feuler--near-perfects on AMC 12 and AIME? Whoa! Did you make USAMO? That's incredible, man...</p>
<p>I definitely can't make a national math/science olympiad. As you might have been able to see from my scores, math isn't my metier (my best AMC score was 113 -- national math olympiad? I don't think so...ah, I guess you were joking.) Yes, I'm one of those humanities wusses. So for "proving [I'm] smarter than others", I'm entering a lot of writing contests and such. And 1580 is good enough for P. Scholars in some states, like WV, but definitely not mine (DC) where it's 1600, period. Furthermore, I said no to student search, so even if 1580 did qualify, stupid me wouldn't get a nomination. </p>
<p>But anyway, you think that even if I got a 2400, it would hurt? </p>
<p>you need to check with the colleges you plan on applying to. in my opinion, if you REALLY want to take the new SAT or you have to for some schools...
1- make a list of all the schools you want to apply to by the end of september.
2. send the old scores to the schools that do not require the new scores.
3. take the new one. (oct or nov)
4. get the results
5. send the new scores to the schools that require them , and if your score goes up you can choose to resend the scores to the first set of schools. if they dont go up or you dont like the writing score, dont send the new scores. </p>
<p>now if you look at the schools where you want to apply and none of them require the new sat, then just relax or take the act. </p>
<p>if i were in your situation, id take my advice. haha.
all the best!
<em>oboe</em></p>
<p>oh 5hit, i thought this was a joke post, my bad, wow, there is actually ppl who are smart like you out there who requires reassurance, i would like to take back wat i said, i think your scores are excellent, no need to show schools that you are a perfectionist. i think you have great chances everywhere, don't waste the money, move on with your life :)</p>
<p>So I was practice-gambling before I went to Las vegas, and every time I played poker I got a royal flush. When I finally got to Las Vegas and played poker, I only got a straight flush. Instead of winning the 500 million dollars like I would have with the royal flush, I only won 450 million. Should I just wager all that money again and try to get a royal flush?</p>
<p>calidan,
1) Good point... but
2) It's not really gambling in the sense that I can't lose <em>that</em> much by taking the SAT again. I mean, unless I completely screw up, but the odds (ha!) of that are very low. What I can, and likely will lose, is a little bit of credit with adcoms for taking it thrice. BUT! Remember. The New SAT is effectively a different test, no? So maybe thrice isn't so bad?
3) I don't think my "straight flush" was the result of bad luck so much as of real, fixable problems with my testing. Quite simply, I was too careful during the real thing. I wasn't confident enough, so I lost my practice test momentum. I think if I could make that small change I would have a very, very good "shot" (yet not even!) at a royal flush. </p>
<p>But that said, you're right. I'm stupid/shouldn't listen to my ego so much.</p>
<p>I understand where you're coming from, claret quilty, but I would advise against taking it again, even if it is the new form (unless your schools require the new form, that is). A 1580 is an excellent score, and you know -- apparently! -- that you would have gotten a 1600 if not for some of those testing irregularities, like a different room, not having enough sleep, being annoyed by the person next to you incessantly tapping their pencil, the proctor timing it wrong, etc. A 1580 is awesome.</p>
<p>If you are really that concerned with getting the perfect score, nothing any of us says is going to dissuade you. You will take the test again -- and then what? You get a perfect score, and you fret that the adcoms will frown upon you because you took it too many times ("Oh," they'll say. "He's a point grubber. Maybe he's really not that interested in taking advantage of our programs, since he'll be scraping for every point in exams."). Or maybe you take it, and more problems crop up: for whatever reason, you score the same, or a 1590, or mayhaps -- pray not! -- even lower. What then? Do you fret over retaking it once more, to prove that you haven't lost your touch and that last test was really just a mistake? </p>
<p>If you do decide to take it, I'd agree with iplayoboe in how to deal with it. If you don't, I'll have to agree with calidan to a point.</p>
<p>So it's up to you, and what you think is most important out of this. Is it worth the gamble?</p>
<p>claret quilty i officially hate you now
how do you get such high scores???
i would be jumping all around if i got a 220 on the psat let alone a 239!!!!!!!
could u share some of ur strategies or books that u used to get ready for this
ur amazing dude</p>
<p>Hannanaq,
Thank you! Although by CC standards, 1580 is really not that high.
How did I get a 1580? Well, to start, I've been a reader since I learned to read--that is, I read everything...furthermore, I love words and am constantly, compulsively learning really arcane ones. For fun! (No, this is not normal.)
For math, the key is to do tons of practice problems...math was never my strong point, but studying up for the IIC (I really really wanted an 800, so I worked my ass off for one) got my brain in shape for the SAT-I (not that my math results are as good).
I didn't use any books, memorize any vocab words or anything. Actually, strike that. I did about five tests from Ten Real.
If you want to improve your score, I would suggest in the long run READING, READING, READING. Tough stuff, and not always stuff that particularly interests you, but the main thing is just READ.
If vocab doesn't come naturally to you, learn any word you can get your hands on--all the lists, etc. It will require a bunch of effort but depending on how much the SATs mean to you, could be worth it.
For math, just keep your brain in shape. Do challenge problems as a "fun activity" -- AMC tests are good sources of problem workouts that work but aren't <em>too</em> hard. Be ever on the lookout for the most efficient strategies as opposed to the ones where you write out all the numbers and count (you know the sort). If you figure that out early, you won't ever have to mess with using your answer sheet as a straightedge or any of that crap.
Practice problems are good. Do hours of them, and focus. When it's time for the real test, start a great sleep schedule a month early, keep to it, eat the same thing every morning. Get a routine going with your practice tests etc. in terms of how you fill in the bubbles (I grid a page at once), what you do/eat during breaks, how you do critical reading (DEFINITELY treat passages individually, one at a time, in order, for paired passages), etc.
Routine is good. Practice is good. These are almost as important as skills, which can only be improved so much in the short term.
If you are disciplined, you shouldn't need a course, a tutor, or anything. Just buy all the practice problems you can and do them a BUNCH--I would say if you do 500 hours of solid practice problems you will get a 1600 no matter what. Unless you're getting a 900 combined right now, but no one on CC is. Right?</p>
<p>Well, it looks like I'm going against the grain here, but I say take it again.</p>
<p>I understand completely where you are coming from. It's more than just college and recognition; it's about you and the test. I'm nowhere near perfect scores now (I've got to get my math score up), but I understand your search for perfection. If you are like me, you'll be kicking yourself later for not getting a 1600/2400 when you definitely had the potential to do so. I have had a problem of basing all of my decisions on what colleges want to see instead of what I want to do. If you want to take it again, then DO IT. You are probably applying to some top schools, and I'm sure they understand the perfectionist mindset anyway.</p>
<p>Hey, im sorta in a similar situation. I took the old sat (last december, currently i am a junior) and got a 1540. I took the last sat ii writing and got a 790. My guidance counselor tells us that the old sat means nothing, but almost all of the ivies and other top school take either test. I really wanna apply to UPenn; so should i take the new one or is it not necessary?</p>