<p>I am a U.S. exchange student living abroad for my junior year. I took the SAT once in the spring of my sophomore year and once in May of this year ( my junior year). The first time I took it, I did decently however I would like to do better. The second time I took it, I basically had a bad day and did poorly. I have the option of taking the SAT once more in my current country on the 5th of June, 2014 and then again in the fall of my senior year once I return back to the U.S. however I'm concerned because I've recently read that one should only take the SAT three times at most. I think I would probably do better on the 5th of June than my two previous exams however I'm almost positive my writing and reading scores will be worse than usual due to the fact that I've been speaking a language other than English for most of the year. What would be best for me? Taking the SAT 4 times or 3? I'm interested in some Ivy's as well as other top ranked schools. </p>
<p>There is no point in retaking at all if you have little reason to expect a higher score. I would worry less about how your testing frequency will look and more about how your score will improve if I were you.</p>
<p>How about skipping the June test, practicing over the summer, and testing for the third time in the Fall?</p>
<p>You should see the improvement you want in practice tests (official CB tests only) before sitting for the real thing.</p>
<p>What were your 1st two scores?</p>
<p>On my first test I scored a 690 writing 690 reading and 590 math for my sophomore year. I didn’t do that much preparation for that exam. I haven’t received my scores for the second test but I know I didn’t do well on the math section because I very stupidly forgot to fill in some questions I planned to go back to. My main goal was to boost my math score by a considerable amount with preparation and I was scoring roughly a 730 for math on the practice tests. I know I can boost my reading and writing scores easily, but my real concern is how I do on math. I’m mainly worried that if I leave myself one exam and I mess up on that exam, I’m not really left with a back up. </p>
<p>Ok, well that makes sense; there is a little extra pressure when you know a test is your last.</p>
<p>Since your M score is 700+ on practice tests, and that is a huge improvement, I would recommend sitting for June. Also, practice CR and W sections before the test. I don’t see why your scores should fall back necessarily.</p>
<p>If you feel you need to test a 4th time to reach your top score, well, you just have to take the chance that that might rub some adcoms the wrong way. The sophomore test wasn’t a good call, although I’m sure you know that now. In any event, getting the best score you can is more important than violating the mostly unwritten rule to avoid a 4th sitting. </p>
<p>Lastly, take a practice ACT ASAP if you have not already. Generally scores are in line, but some students find they can hit a higher percentile on one or the other tests.</p>