<p>So, I got my SAT score. 720 CR - 790 Math - 800 Writing. </p>
<p>Reading and comprehension are usually my strength (got a perfect CR score on PSATs) and I feel like I have a shot at doing better than that. I intend to apply to Penn, Princeton, Columbia, and Cooper Union. Do you guys think its worth retaking the SATs in the hopes of raising reading a bit or should I just be pleased with a 2310?</p>
<p>I would be pleased with a 2310, but in reality success is measured by the person trying to obtain it. If you think that you can score score higher on the CR without dropping your Math and Writing scores to much then go for it. A 720 for CR is in the 97th percentile and a 2310 is in the 99th, so just know that whatever you decide you did really well.</p>
<p>I suggest you NOT take the exam again. These schools want to see someone living life to the fullest on Saturday mornings, not wasting time taking another unnecessary standardized exam. My Columbia son took the SAT once, got a 2270, and was quite relieved that he wouldn’t have to miss another sports practice to retake the exam.</p>
<p>No, if we’re talking about to boost admissions chances. A score of 720 puts you in the 97th percentile in that area. It is sufficient.</p>
<p>However, in the interest of full disclosure I will say that I took the SAT three times (once as a sophomore, once as a junior, once as a senior). Part of the reason was to raise my math score (which I did) but the larger reason, especially after the second time, was to see if I could get an 800 on the verbal section. Which I did on the third time. I wouldn’t have retaken it after the third time if I hadn’t, because I started off with a 760, but still. This was back when the SAT only cost $25 and didn’t have a writing section, and I usually slept in on Saturday mornings until around the time the SAT would’ve been over so my parents didn’t really have a problem with me waking up at the crack of dawn to do this instead.</p>
<p>Reading is an important section. If this is your first time, and you don’t need to prep much for the second time, I would take it again. There is a difference between a 720 and a 770+. Also, I believe all three of those schools offer score choice.</p>
<p>Ahhh mixed signals. Hard choice. The cost of an SAT isn’t really a factor, my parents would support me regardless.</p>
<p>The difference between a 720 and a 770 is two percentage points (97th percentile to 99th percentile). It may make a small difference at the top college to which you are applying, but the difference would likely be small. You wouldn’t even need Score Choice if you did decide to retake, though, because those schools all take the highest score for each section. So why not? I don’t think you need to but it wouldn’t hurt you to try if you really wanted to.</p>
<p>I don’t think you “need” it either.</p>
<p>I’m in almost the same situation. I got a 770 CR, 740 W, and 800 M for a 2310. I’m still trying to decide whether to retake it since I didn’t prep the first time. I just assumed I would be retaking it again at some point, but now I’m not sure.</p>
<p>Seriously, if you’re above 2250, don’t bother. By the way, Columbia does not recognize Score Choice. With a 2310, check the SAT off your list, and move on. Spend that Saturday morning building a house with Habitat for Humanity, or mailing books for Books for Prisoners, or playing Ultimate Frisbee, or…</p>
<p>[Application</a> increase overwhelms review system | The Chronicle](<a href=“http://dukechronicle.com/article/application-increase-overwhelms-review-system]Application”>Application increase overwhelms review system - The Chronicle)
see this article.</p>
<p>"This rating system helps admissions officers magnify what would ordinarily be considered minute differences among applicants, Guttentag said. A student who scores a 750 out of a possible 800 in all three sections of the SAT—critical reading, math and writing—would likely fall in the 99th percentile for testing. But the competitive nature of its applicant pool means Duke admissions officers make a distinction finer than the top percentile in the nation.</p>
<p>Indeed, the threshold for achieving a five in each of the six evaluation categories is high. Receiving the full five points in test scores, for example, would require SAT scores that fall in the high 700s across all three categories, Guttentag said."</p>
<p>Duke does distinguish between 720 and 770 and I’m sure other shools do as well.</p>
<p>But I’d suggest you retake only if you’re very very confident you can maintain 770+ in each section.</p>
<p>Interesting article Olzhas but though there may be a distinction between a 720 and 770, I doubt that’s going to make or break an application since scores vary from test to test anyway. I second those who tell you to do some volunteering instead.</p>
<p>@dfa4ever
yeah sure. i just provided some info that OP might want to consider. But its solely him to decide.</p>
<p>With SuperScore and Score Choice I don’t really need to maintain my high scores. I just need to break a 720 CR and not bomb M and WR.</p>
<p>does it make sense to retake a 2350? 800 CR, 780 Writing, 770 math…too lazy to make a new thread…im guessing same answer? not worth it?</p>
<p>Are you crazy for a 2400? If so, retake it.</p>
<p>I’m retaking mine in the end. I can do better on reading. I got a 80 on the PSAT on CR the past two years.</p>
<p>Don’t be soo ADD. Over 2300 and you’re set.</p>
<p>U Penn does not offer score choice. With that said, taking it again would be good for you IMO.</p>
<p>@ the 2350 person: Nah, a 770 is -1. Colleges know that by now.</p>
<p>A general note: just because someone got a score that’s better than what you could get, doesn’t mean it’s the best that they can get. You judge each score by how it relates to the individual person who’s taking it’s potential. It doesn’t matter what the score is specifically. </p>
<p>If you think you have the potential to do better without a significant time investment, you should do it. That goes for anyone with any score. If you don’t exceed 3 tries, there are no “this person is crazy” alarms set off whatsoever.</p>
<p>In Staller’s case, if critical reading and analysis are his strength, he probably would want to retake it so that he doesn’t come off as more of a math-y person, which might not jive as well with the rest of his application.</p>