Is 3 SAT attempts too many!?

<p>I have only taken it once during my freshman year, but I was planning on taking it again sophomore year and then for the last time junior year. Do colleges not like to see that you have taken the test three times?</p>

<p>Colleges don’t really mind how many times you take it. But I think you should take your last SAT in the fall of senior year. You would have learned and be able to retain more math information. This is just my opinion but it really depends on your target score and what you got the first time.</p>

<p>I don’t think it looks good to take it too many times. There was no reason to take it freshman year. There is no reason to take it sophomore year. You can take the Psat if you like as ‘practice’ for next year. Also,your score in M+CR should naturally improve 100 points per year. Wait to take it until near the end of Jr year. If you think a retake will improve your scores, take it again. But don’t do that unless you do some intensive prep work or your score is unlikely to improve. See the SAT-preparation subforum for the pinned posts that outline study tips.</p>

<p>Yeah taking the SATS before junior year was a waste of your or your parents’ money, unfortunately. I don’t think colleges care, but you should just study as hard as you can, bang it out once again, and hope for the best. In the end, all that matters is that you get into a college and graduate with a degree and a good gpa.</p>

<p>Taking the SAT/ACT too early is not a good idea unless you have already reached top scores in practice tests. In addition, most admission officers do mind how many times you take the test. For instance, Harvard does not want applicants take more than twice. In general, 3 times is consensus limit as there is no statistically significant improvement after the third attempt anyway. Most students take it twice. Also, I would avoid taking the test in senior year unless it is necessary. One should finish taking all the test in the Spring of Junior (except for senior AP). After Junior year, you should have some idea on the school list and you should visit some campus over the Summer. In addition, you should start working on the application and essays over the Summer and get everything ready for submission in Fall. Take advantage of EA if you could. Although you have one or two more chances for SAT/ACT before EA/ED deadline, don’t count on it. You never know if the scores got delayed and ruin your opportunity. In other words, do not take the test too late.</p>

<p>billcsho, if you use score choice though it doesn’t matter how many times you take it, right?</p>

<p>Nope - three is just fine.</p>

<p>I took it 3 times and wasn’t going to take it again. However, a rep at one college recommended I take it again because it can’t hurt, it can only help. It can also either show that you are consistent or that you may have had a bad testing day, but also that you can be “persistent.”</p>

<p>Most people take the SAT 2-3 times. However, I wouldn’t go beyond that (not that it looks bad, but just because after 3 tries, it’s difficult for your score to improve by much). </p>

<p>Also, don’t PLAN on taking it once more sophomore year and then again junior year. Instead, study for an upcoming SAT like it’s your last. There is no reason to take an SAT again if you are already satisfied with your score.</p>

<p>Normally, after three tries, if you are still not satisfied with your score, I would recommend that you try out the ACT instead. If you can manage to get a really high score on the ACT (which is easier than the SAT for some), then it sort of compensates for your maybe not-so-great SAT score.</p>

<p>I’ve taken it three times, and my second time I got the highest score. That said, I think taking the SAT in the spring of your Junior year is a pretty good idea.</p>

<p>I agree wholeheartedly with prowlings on this one. Taking the SAT more than 3 times is not a sign of persistence in any positive sort of sense. Echoing prowlings, take the SAT as if it were the last time you could. Unless you are confident in getting a high score and being done with it in sophomore year, don’t waste the chance. Use the time wisely to prepare for taking it junior year.</p>