<p>Wondering if anyone knows/has a list that matches up the Maximum number of retakes to College (at what maximum retake number would a named college look unfavorably at an applicant)?</p>
<p>I don’t think there’s a definate answer to this question. Just don’t get crazy with it. It doesn’t look good when a one sitter has a 2360 and another one took the test 10 times to get a 2360. Get my drift?</p>
<p>It also depends on whether the college accepts score choice.</p>
<p>not official at all, but 3 (or less preferably) is what you want to aim for</p>
<p>There aren’t any restrictions beyond like 2-3 colleges in the U.S. People are afraid that you will get a good score so they tell you not to take it again. You can choose what scores you send now if you haven’t graduated already (i’m guessing).</p>
<p>cjgone: what are the names of the “2-3 colleges in the U.S.” and what is their max#? It looks like strosfan says the max is 3. Is the max 3 for the “2-3 colleges”</p>
<p>There are 7 SAT this year. wondering if i should try to take all of them.</p>
<p>Some colleges have earlier deadlines than others, so would the # of test taken show that I only took the number of test before the application/test submission due date?</p>
<p>There’s really no point in taking it seven times. Most people peak the second or third try. Just prepare yourself well and take it a couple times.</p>
<p>Why do people keep retaking these tests? Take the advice of almost everyone, 3 times MAX. It’s a waste of money and time to keep retaking. And colleges aren’t going to be impressed by your 2300+ on the 7TH try… The majority of admission officers acknowledge that they want to know how many times an applicant takes the test because it makes a difference.</p>
<p>^ And that’s something many of them will not be able to know because of the policy of score choice.</p>
<p>Many of the top colleges REQUIRE you to report ALL scores. score choice or not.
And then there’s the issue of whether it’s on your HS transcript…
Either way it is a waste, and not impressive.
And, if you have to take the test THAT many times to get to a score that will qualify you for that school, you probably don’t belong there.</p>
<p>
I agree it’s overkill to take an SAT more than 2-3 times, but drastic changes do happen. If, after taking the SAT 4 times, an applicant’s score goes from 2150 to 2400, how many people would truly question the value of those retakes? And you can argue that the applicant spent nearly 200 dollars and countless hours for a single test, but the fact is that score change will make his chances go way up at top schools, even if that 2150 was already “qualified” for top schools.</p>
<p>Yes, some schools require that all scores be sent, and they do not apply. But quite a few top schools (Harvard, Princeton, MIT, etc) abide by score choice.</p>
<p>And I don’t think this is at all an issue of “impressing” someone.</p>
<p>The point is, if one prepares properly the first few times nothing drastic is going to happen after two or three testings. The 20+ legally available CB tests are far more than enough for someone to reach their max before they take a single real test. Familiarity with the test-taking experience may result in higher scores the second or third try, but simply taking the test over and over isn’t going to accomplish anything.</p>
<p>^ Agreed. I think taking it when you’re not prepared/haven’t learned enough is pointless. And that’s the point when you have to take it 4-5+ times.
The situation you mention, monstor, is very rare, and if you increased n increments each time (2150 to maybe 2250 to 2350 to 2400) then you should’ve stopped at time three. 2300 = 2400, as most top admissions officers agree.
Taking it 3 times a year since freshman year or every test date junior year is ridiculous.</p>
<p>^ But it does occasionally occur, and in those particular circumstances it’s somewhat understandable for one to retake the SAT more than the usual 2-3. </p>
<p>I agree though; it’s a rare circumstance that almost will never happen. Just giving an extreme example to show that not ALL situations warrant taking the SAT only 2-3 times. BTW I don’t agree that a 2400 = 2300 for admissions purposes. If both applicants were applying to Harvard and each applicant had equally strong grades/ECs, the 2400 would be the one getting in most of the time.</p>
<p>^ Again, what are the chances that both of the applicants are exactly the same except for the test scores? And since when are adcom’s comparing random applicants side by side? Chances are just as good that both will be admitted, neither will, or one over the other.
The fact is, for 99.99% of applicants to even top schools, 3 times is enough.</p>
<p>@monstor: True, but applicants aren’t really compared head to head like that. If an applicant is rejected, it won’t be because he doesn’t have a 2400. Chances are in that situation both would be accepted.</p>
<p>
Differences in acceptance rates between 2300s and 2400s beg to differ. Are they small differences? Yes, but they nevertheless exist and when it comes to admissions at a top school like Harvard, I’m sure it has served as a dealbreaker before.</p>
<p>If someone works hard to improve his score, he deserves it just as much as the single-sitting person. If your schools accept score choice, they will not know how many times you have taken it.</p>
<p>^Although I disagree with your premise, that’s not the issue at stake. The best way to improve one’s score is to prepare well, not take it over and over. Why not prepare well the first few times rather than waste time and money taking it 5+ times?</p>
<p>Shoot man… are you seriously gonna take the SAT 7 times…!!!
Thats pretty ridiculous. Remember test scores aren’t everything, and statistically after the 2nd or 3rd time…its pretty hard to bring it up. The higher your score, the less of a chance you’ll get it up the next time you take it. Also realize, that’s gonna be like $400 or somethin. Get a netbook with that $$ =P</p>