I've heard that retaking a 2300+ isn't worth it, but...

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
21

<p>Elanorci, you did very well on the SAT, especially as a sophomore. The math section is very learnable, and you'd be a definite candidate for a possible 2400. That being said...with a score as high as 2340, there's a possibility of not improving much/at all. </p>

<p>If I were in your situation, I would not retake, but I'm lazy and wouldn't want to spend more time prepping and four hours of a Saturday and $45 when my original score is already great. Use the time to relax/do summer work/volunteer, and take pride in the fact that you pwned the SAT as a sophomore.</p>

<p>By the way, did you look at your mailed SAT score report? With a score that high, the numbers look pretty bad for someone who wants to retake.</p>

22

<p>whoa...amicw or anyone out there that can help.....If you are in class of 2010, you can send which ever scores you choose? Suppose you dont like your June SAT score you could send your retake after you get it? This applies to all colleges right? Just wanted to clarify. So if I took it twice and my best was 2300, but if superscore came to 2400 would I have to send both my tests? [[This is all hypothetical I haven't taken SAT yet]]....</p>

23

<p>Yeah, I looked at the numbers on my mailed score report. Statistically, it looks bad-- but how many people go down when they've prepped seriously in between?
@amicw: whoa! I can send whichever scores I choose? That's incredible-- has anyone else heard this?</p>

24

<p>You can pick your scores but is it really worth the money. Of course, if you're rich it's fine.</p>

25

<p>For anyone who wants more information:
New</a> SAT Score-Reporting Policy</p>

<p>With this piece of information, I'll definitely be retaking.
Does anyone else think that scores are going to go way up? I know that the vast majority of people at my school will probably use this to their advantage and take the test four or five times and then send their one highest score. It makes me very, very nervous. The advantage that I thought might come with a first-sitting score, however minute, is now gone.</p>

26

<p>Well good for you Sophomore.</p>

27

<p>If you just want to raise your math score, you could try taking a subject test instead.</p>

28

<p>


</p>

<p>Yeah...I am doing everything possible (and obviously failing) to not go into a rant about how moronic this policy is. Why keep something the same that at least offers a modicum of socio-economic fairness when we can give an advantage to privileged kids? It is almost indescribably stupid, and to be honest, really brings into question how "non-profit" CB is? All this new policy does is encourage more people to take the SAT more times. Does this mean more money for CB? <em>heavy sarcasm</em> No, of course not. It makes me really angry, but simultaneously glad I will be applying in a year where my first try 2350 can and will be differentiated from a third try 2350.</p>

<p>/rant</p>

<p>P.S. Elan, use the tags "quote=(whatevername)" and "/quote" (with brackets - [ ] - rather than quotation marks) to sandwich text you want to quote. So instead of saying '@amciw', you could have my post quoted in yours, similar to what do with yours. If you don't want to reference a specific poster, omit the '=(whatevername)' from the first tag.</p>

29

<p>Elanorci - if you're a rising junior, then I would probably go ahead and retake it. Considering that the score reporting policy changes for you, thats even more of a reason to do so.</p>

<p>I got a 2310 as a sophomore in June, and retook junior year for a 2400. Even that decision was hard for me to make, because I was really happy with my score in June. However, the lopsidedness of my score sort of compelled me to retake and I got really lucky. </p>

<p>If you feel you can truly improve, and that your preparation for this test was not the best you could have done, why not retake? You lose some time, you lose some money, but in the end, if you boost that score up, it would probably be worth it. </p>

<p>This decision also depends on your goals and such. As an unhooked ORM, 2310 would probably be around the average score for applicants like me. So in that regard, it would be beneficial if I increased it. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>If you want to discuss adcom effects, you get into a world of speculation. No college will ever publicly say that retaking a 2340 will destroy your application. But some of the above posters are right in saying it could be detrimental, creating misconceptions in the subconscious (ie. cares too much about test scores). Then again, you do have the justification that you took it early, as a sophomore, and therefore have not even reached that peak yet in junior year, when everyone takes it. </p></li>
<li><p>If you went down in any area, they will superscore. The only question becomes, do adcoms see everything or do their secretaries compile the data and only show them superscore? Once again, these backroom policies are unknown (some colleges say they see all scores but consider the highest). As long as you don't drop to something like 600, I'm sure a 800/750 wouldn't be that detrimental.</p></li>
<li><p>The essay is really a non-issue. They say theyre available to colleges, but I've rarely heard that they actually use it. That would be another benefit to retaking - improving the essay. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Congrats on your good score, and good luck if you decide to retake. And to some of the above comments, I would venture to say that there is indeed a difference between a 2340 and a 2350+. Though this too is speculation, if you want to talk about subconscious effects, 2350+ is probably more impressive.</p>

30

<p>Man, even if the new policy weren't in effect, I'd still retake a 2340. I got one a while ago, and am retaking for a 2400 in November.</p>

31

<p>@ Echelon32: It's incredibly helpful to hear from someone who was in a similar situation! Congrats on the 2400. Yeah, the new score-sending policy has me really, really leaning towards a retake. Thanks for the answers to the questions.
@ Ashraf Eassa: Good luck in November! I'm sure you'll do very well. :)</p>

32

<p>To anyone who is saying "no don't take it...its not worth your time," and "this whole conversation is ridiculous," I think the OP is bringing up an interesting question. Do colleges really care between a 2340 and a say a 2380. They will almost certainly say no. But I say yes.</p>

<p>I mean- who says that there should be an arbitrary score that establishes that you have 'conquered' the SAT? A 2380 is better than a 2340, which in turn is better than a 2300 and a 2200. The OP simply wants advice on what her course of action should be to have the best chance to get into an elite school. Give the 2010 policy, I say go ahead and take it. And if you improve even 10 points, go ahead and show it.</p>

<p>BTW- I also find it hard to believe that college admissions people will frown upon someone retaking this score. I mean, please. It just doesn't make sense to me. The OP has the luxury of only showing her score if it improves. Thus, it makes sense to take another stab at it, and see how she does.</p>

33

<p>


</p>

<p>I see you changed your mind. Just don't do worse. Subconscious effects are very real, and that would give the impression you are obsessed about test scores and got lucky the first time. It wouldn't be good for your chances anywhere.</p>

<p>


</p>

<p>So an adcom seeing my 2350 would be given a better impression than with her 2340?</p>

34

<p>Yeah, I've changed my mind-- mostly due to the new sending policy. It takes an incredible amount of pressure off to know that I have a reasonable backup score.
Is there a reason that a higher score shouldn't be more impressive? Admittedly, such close differences can be attributed to a lot of things and should therefore be taken with a grain of salt-- but it's still a higher score.</p>

35

<p>shut up.</p>

<p>seriously. just. shut. up.</p>

36

<p>


</p>

<p>I don't think that the sexual orienation of the College Board is known. If you would like to call the policy unfair, stupid, dumb, ridiculous, elitist, etc, then use those words. Don't use the word gay to mean stupid.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

37

<p>Yes, sorry, and I apologize sincerely if it affected you emotionally in any way. I didn't mean to imply gay people are stupid, but I know with the context that connection is inevitable. I should have done a better job self-censoring; I am working on it, but do realize people are not infallible. I still make mistakes, and that was one. Again, sorry.</p>

38

<p>2340 is an impressive score for a rising junior...= )</p>

<p>question that is somewhat related: would you retake SATI for a 720 math score when your overall is 2300 and you have an 800 in SAT II math IIc?</p>

39

<p>Ugh, are you even serious? What happens if you do worse? Keep retaking and retaking?</p>

40

<p>If I do worse, then I do worse. I'll only send the first score.
@ fybydtfo17: /I/ wouldn't, but you're obviously good at math-- I say go for it, as long as you have the time. :)</p>