<p>A spokesperson for Stanford visited my school a while ago, and when asked a question on what scores are worth retaking, he replied (and Im paraphrasing here) that he didnt recommend retaking the act or sat unless the student was positive there would be significant improvement, and that when they see a student retaking a high score on the SAT or ACT several times it makes them wonder if the student doesnt have anything better to do on a saturday.<br>
They dont look well upon a student who sits and takes a standardized test every saturday; theyre looking for students who do more than just study on their weekends so as to build a vibrant campus.
In short, retaking the SAT/ACT several times can have a negative impact.</p>
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<p>Oh please.</p>
<p>Anyhow :): Yes, retaking the SAT/ACT many times (especially retaking very high scores) can have a negative effect that outweights the admissions advantage afforded by higher scores (assuming the applicant does not employ Score Choice).</p>
<p>Stanford and a mumber of other schools like Yale, UPenn do not subscribe to score choice for SAT and ask students to provide all SAT scores. Even for ACT (where extra money is involved in sending the scores) the student has to self report the ACT scores. When admitted Stanford will verify that with official scores.</p>
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<p>Excuse me?</p>
<p>from the Stanford U website on testing requirements:
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Applicants must self-report and submit all SAT scores OR all ACT scores. After you decide which testing agency will send your scores, applicants cannot elect to use the College Board’s Score Choice or elect to “hide” any scores with either testing agency. The only exception to this rule would be tests taken for the purpose of talent programs in middle or junior high school (e.g. Johns Hopkins Center for Talent Youth, Duke University’s Talent Identification Program, etc.). Those test scores do not have to be sent to Stanford. Applicants may also selectively submit whatever SAT Subject Test scores they choose, as those scores are not required for admission.
Stanford recognizes that the ACT organization charges for each individual score report sent to colleges and universities. If the cost associated with the submission of all ACT scores presents a financial hardship for your family, you may simply send one score report and self-report the remainder of your ACT scores. All official scores will be required if you are offered admission"</p>
<p>Ah, I thought you were referring to the SAT as well.</p>
<p>For SAT collegeboard does not charge individually to send scores ( one charge for any muber of SAT scores) and Stanford expects and asks that you submit all the scores.</p>
<p>^ Right, but compliance with this request cannot be verified.</p>
<p>May be … not sure …This leads into the murky area and students are left to make a moral decision. For, kids who want to play by rule, all I am trying to highlight is that the score choice does not mean much with some colleges. Students even if attempting to taking SAT second time must prepare well and not present themselves as casual and frequent test takers and use the score choice prudently.</p>
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<p>Colleges do not know whether Score Choice has been used.</p>
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<p>Indeed.</p>