<p>We always take your highest scores, no matter how many times you take the test. </p>
<p>As to why we recommend not taking the test more than three times, is because almost always it is a waste of money. Statistics show that a students score on standardized tests will max out at a certain time, and traditionally that is the third exam. Taking the exam over and over and over and over again to increase your score 10 - 20 - 30 points is in the eyes of an Admissions committee not worth it. Focus your time, energy, and money on other pursuits.</p>
<p>And remember, there is a lot more than goes into making admissions decisions then test scores. Taking the exams so many times, and stessing about them so much, will probably take time away from other parts of your application that you can make perfect.</p>
<p>i know someone who took the test 5 times, maxed out at 2190, and got a scholarship at JHU ^_^</p>
<p>"In such cases, we encourage you to note your intention of taking the later standardized test(s) on your application."</p>
<p>When you say "the later standardized test(s)", are you referring to the October or November SAT for ED? Also, will taking the SAT have any malignant (sat word!) effects on your acceptance or will it be benign (another SAT word!)? Thanks and good luck on reading all those apps!</p>
<p>I have an interesting question that maybe some experienced CC'ers may be able to answer (or AdmissionsDaniel):</p>
<p>At what score (or score range) do you feel it is necessary to stop retaking the SATs? (MIT usually says scores that start with 7 are usually fine, but if one or so starts with a 6 it's not a big deal.)</p>
<p>ED applicants should take the SAT or optional SAT subject exams by the October date. We can not guarantee that November exams will arrive in time to be reviewed for ED admission.</p>
<p>RD applicants should take the SAT or optional SAT subject exams by the December date. We can not guarantee that January exams will arrive in time to be reviewed for RD admission.</p>
<p>I appreciate you using SAT words, but your last question does not make any sense. You are required to take SAT or ACT when submitting an application to Johns Hopkins, so since they are an application factor they may have a "malignant" or "benign" impact depending the application review.</p>
<p>GWB: We do not provide a formal recommendation of how many times a student should take SAT exams nor do we have a specific score that we consider competitive. Test scores are not reviewed as an individual factor, but rather relate to the complete review of the application -- so a "good" score will depend from case-to-case.</p>
<p>I meant the time you take the SAT. Sorry. I got so enthusiastic about using sat words that I forgot my question. Does the time at which you take the SAT have any impact on your chances for admissions (excluding the really late sat dates (November for ed'ers)). Thanks.</p>
<p>Hey George W. Bush, are you REALLY George W. Bush? Holy smoke, I feel so honored, talking to the president on an online forum (and I can laugh at him because he only got a 1200 on his old SAT hehe;))</p>
<p>@cheeseman557: If you take the test more than 3 times and still show substantial(highly unlikely) score improvements - it means you didn't really study for the test the first couple of times you took it. If you don't show substantial score improvements - you've wasted time and money. I'm not an admissions counselor so I don't know how they look at that. But logically that doesn't seem like such a good thing to do.</p>
<p>The date / time you take standardized tests does not matter.</p>