In the wake of my SAT disaster, should I sign up for the next SAT before seeing my score?

Test Preparation
1

I took the March SAT a few weeks ago, and I was incredibly disappointed when I got my score back.

I took the SAT in the fall of my junior year(October of 2014) with almost no test prep at all, and I score 1870.
Reading: 670
Math: 660
Writing: 540

I wasn’t prepared, so I felt OK. I then took the PSAT the next week, and I score 212. I prepared a lot for the March SAT, and I felt confident going in. However, when I got my score back last week, my score had DROPPED to an 1860!

I score at least 200 points below what I had been getting on practice tests, and my math score went down by 50 points!

I will get back the full report tomorrow, but I am still in disbelief. I am now wondering if I should sign up for the May SAT, or just wait until October(If I do wait until October I won’t have my scores back in time for early actions).

I am taking subject test in June.

Note: Today is the last day I can sign up for the May SAT.

2

Given your PSAT score, it seems like you have underperformed on both SAT exams and that you should be able to pick your score up.

I am not an expert but my understanding is that most schools will take October scores for EA/ED. True that you are running the risk that if you have a bad day, you have no other chances to take the test. On the other hand, I have heard people say that kids are more mature by senior year and they tend to do better on the SAT then.

The downside of taking it in May is that it really doesn’t give you a lot of time to prepare, particularly with schoolwork and subject tests to prepare for.

3

Also consider taking the ACT as some students just do much better with that style of test.