<p>I took the SATs this January and got 690 CR, 770 Math, 800 Writing.
I'm determined to raise my critical reading score, but I'm so bogged down with homework and studying that I don't think I want to retake the SATs in May/June for fear I won't be ready and I won't have studied enough for it.
Any opinions/advice on this?
I know that I'd be able to make most early decision deadlines if I took the SATs one last time in October of senior year, but I've heard things like how October is sometimes the hardest?</p>
<p>2260? That is pretty good, but this is from a dude who made a 185 on his Junior PSAT and pretty much estimates his SAT from 1800-2100.</p>
<p>Don’t be scared, if you made that high of a score, the only thing holding you back is probably silly mistakes, all you need to do is go cautiously and be careful with each question and avoiding rushing.
I think you are perfectly capable of doing better, it is all a matter of how many mistakes you make more than what you know/don’t know.</p>
<p>From a Junior(not the best source)</p>
<p>Thank you! I’m really interested in raising only my CR score, as long as I keep myself in the range for Math and Writing I’m ok. The problem with CR is just that I’ve never really sat down and memorized vocabulary so that’s why I want to give myself more time in between my test taking sessions.</p>
<p>I took mine the second time in October just like you’re thinking f doing. Try not to focus on the difficulty of it, since the difficulty of the SATs varies by month anyway. And I wanted to raise my CR too! It’s like we’re the same person. </p>
<p>Truth be told, if you tend to score high, you don’t have to study much anyway. Just look up a couple of words you don’t know and some math review if you’re a bit rusty.</p>
<p>Haha, twins xD So you’re a senior?
And thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>Yep! 
just study a little CR and you’ll do great! I had a score similar to yours that went up 160 points after the October sat</p>
<p>There is no problem in doing so. Some even take the later tests until the deadline for applications. However, I’ll consider that as a backup plan only. Many schools have early action application deadline around the beginning of November. Even the October scores may be available in time for evaluation, you will need to prepare for the test while working on the application at the same time. I’ll encourage students to start preparing for the ACT/SAT during or before the summer break after sophomore year and attempted the tests in Fall/Winter of the Junior year. In the Spring of Junior year, one should focus on AP and subject tests and try to have all the ACT/SAT exams done by the end of the Junior year. The summer after Junior year would be best for visiting campuses, deciding on the target and safety schools based on your GPA/test scores, collecting school and scholarship application information, and working on essays.</p>