Is taking the SATs a fourth time harmful or helpful?

Applying to College
1

<p>So I am having a bit of an SAT crisis. I am a junior and have taken the SAT 3 times with a max superscore of 2260. This score comes after my second sitting however as my scores went down on my third sitting. I feel like my low third sitting would look bad to colleges who don't superscore. Would sitting a fourth time and getting higher scores make be look better or desparate? By the way, I am fairly confident that if I study over the summer I could receive a 2300+. Thank you!</p>

2

<p>2260 is more than fine.</p>

3

<p>The difference shouldn’t matter. And think about it, if you take it again, your score could go down again. <a href=“http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/SAT-Percentile-Student_Senior-Year_Score_Gain-Loss_2011.pdf[/url]”>http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/SAT-Percentile-Student_Senior-Year_Score_Gain-Loss_2011.pdf&lt;/a&gt; I doubt another 40 or 80 point (maybe 1 or 2 more correct questions) is going to tip your application. (Unless, of course, you are applying for a scholarship that has 2300 score minimum requirement.)</p>

4

<p>For most students, they would be better off trying the ACT than taking the SAT a fourth time. Many students do better on one than the other. In your case, I think I’d concentrate on SAT IIs.</p>

5

<p>Unless your superscore is something like CR 660, M 800, W 800 (or CR 800, M 660, W 800), I wouldn’t even think about taking it again – even if this were the case, I’d think long and hard about it.</p>

6

<p>A lot of people have claimed over the years that taking the SAT more than three times tends to look strange to adcoms. In fact, the FAQ sections on some university websites imply the same.</p>

<p>Given that your score is already more than satisfactory, I would advise against it. A 2260 would not preclude you from getting admitted to *any *university.</p>

7

<p>Don’t take it again. Simple as that. Adcoms at selective colleges do not favor that.</p>

8

<p>Your score is great. Schools do not want to see that one of your extracurricular activities is SAT taking. You really shouldn’t take more than twice. 3 times max.</p>

9

<p>Taking it more than three times is a bad idea. Especially with scores as high as yours. The higher the score, the more you’re harmed by taking it too many times. It waters down the benefit of your high score.</p>

<p>I usually wouldn’t even advise taking it a third time.</p>