<p>I just got my October SAT results and for the selective schools that I'm applying to (Brown, Northwestern, Amherst, and several others) my math score is above the 75% range and my writing score is at least at 50% (with it being a higher percentile for some schools); however, my critical reading score of 580 puts me way below the typical 650-750ish range.</p>
<p>I think I am a good reader and that a 580 doesn't reflect my abilities, but I don't really want to have to take the test again if I can avoid it. If I would test again, it would be in December.</p>
<p>My questions are:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>How do colleges view a lower SAT score in one area, if the other scores are on par? (Obviously this might vary some, but in general.)</p></li>
<li><p>Is it worth my time to retake or should I focus on the other parts of my application (e.g. essays)?</p></li>
<li><p>What's the best way to improve my critical reading score and what would be a realistic goal score if I would take the test in December?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>But as for 2. I think you should evaluate other areas of your application before such a decision. Do you have good ideas for your essays yet? If you would retake the SAT, would you have time to dedicate to writing your essays, putting together a good application, AND studying for the SAT? If you think you can handle it, it would not hurt to retake. Also, check out the school’s specific SAT testing requirements because I think some of them have different cutoff dates.</p>
<p>Another thing you might want to evaluate are your ECs, hooks etc. Are they strong enough to go up against other people who may have better test scores than you? If not, then I would suggest retaking.</p>
<ol>
<li> The best way to improve your critical reading score is PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! Everything you need to answer for the questions can be found right in the text! Buy the SAT bluebook if you haven’t already and focus strictly on the critical reading sections. If you have already done all the practice tests, then buy some books that focus strictly on CR like Barron’s, Kaplan, or Princeton Review.<br></li>
</ol>
<p>For my SAT CR study, I used this book called Rock the SAT that came with a CD to help learn vocab, the bluebook, and McGraw Hill CR. It all helped tremendously and I would definitely suggest it to anyone else studying for the SAT.</p>
<ol>
<li> Don’t know for sure, but … CR is a tough one to be low in. You could finesse a low writing score for some schools, but everyone takes CR into account. (If you’re applying to engineering, it hurts less, but your score is rather low for the schools that you’re applying to.)</li>
</ol>
<p>Have you considered taking the ACT. Some do better on that test.</p>
<p>2.For most students, if they are motivated, either a good SAT review book, or a course is sufficient.</p>
<p>If you can do some practice tests and hone in where you’re falling down, I would recommend this. If not you might benefit from a few lessons from someone who can do this analysis and focus on how to improve your weak points (i.e., a tutor, either through your HS or if you can afford it a private tutor).</p>
<p>FWIW, the basic Princeton methodology worked well for both my D’s, but YMMV.</p>
<p>You aren’t just below the 25th percentile…you’re 80-90 points below these schools 25th percentile. Without being a recruited athlete, child of a big alumni donor, or child of a famous celebrity, your chances for admission are slim. I would also suggest taking the ACT, where only composite scores are required to be reported by colleges on their common data set, thus a low score on one of the sections isn’t as detremential to the colleges average “stats”.</p>
<p>Top colleges really want high CR scores- to demonstrate your ability to analyze complicated readings quickly- a crucial skill in most college courses. A 580 is significantly below the mid-50th percentile at Brown (660-765).</p>
<p>Do consider a retake, and trying the ACT as recommended by csdad^^.</p>
<p>CR is difficult to study for, as it relies on subtle interpretative skills. The old CR tests in the prep books are probably your best shot, as well as memorizing the vocabulary flashcards sold in the study kits.</p>
<p>Agree that selective colleges want to see higher CR scores to assure that students will have the comprehension skills necessary to be successful.</p>
<p>My D1 increased her CR by 70 pts after a month of study with Grammatix, they had some good strategies about how to read passages. However, to be competitive at those schools it would be good to at least break 700 IMO.</p>