<p>Hi. My first time taking the SAT I (this past March), I got a 730 CR, 770 Math & 770 Writing (2270 total). On my SAT IIs in April & May, I got 800 Bio M, 790 Literature and 740 Math II. Now here is the dilemma: I want to retake both the SAT I and the Math SAT II. I'm not an insane perfectionist or anything, but I didn't really study for either tests and I know I could do much better. In your opinion, which test is more important to retake? I'm worried that the college I want to apply to will not accept November test scores for EA/ED, in which case the only test date left open is October. Thanks so much for your input.</p>
<p>Congrats on your scores. In your position, I wouldn't retake any of them, and put the time towards something more fun. I guess retake the Math II, if you insist. But your scores will not keep you out of any school.</p>
<p>I agree with Butternut, you don't NEED to retake either.</p>
<p>However, if you want to retake one, I'd do the SAT I. Your SAT II's are already stellar, no need to retake them. On the other hand, if you could get a 2350 or so on the SAT, that'd be really good.</p>
<p>Yeah, I guess it's wiser to retake the SAT I (my CR + Math score alone could definitely be improved).</p>
<p>It's just a shame because Math II has such a ridiculous curve (obviously, given that I got a 740 when I really deserved mid-600s) and probably a lot of institutions are aware of this.</p>
<p>You're at 1500. I'm going to take a guess that 1400 is a psychological barrier below which a Top 20 school wants to see if there are other ways you've demonstrated intelligence. You are above the midpoint score of every university in the U.S. except for Caltech.</p>
<p>You're so far above 1400 that it doesn't matter. Do you really think an adcom is going to notice the difference between 1500 and 1530 or 1540?</p>
<p>There was a link on here recently to a blog by an MIT admissions officer. He basically said once you get to a certain number (let's call it 1400 for argument), how far you are above that number is not nearly as important as the other 4-5 things they look for -- academic rigor, GPA, ECs, challenges overcome, etc. and whether your personal quirks would make the campus more interesting.</p>
<p>Here's that MIT adcom link: MIT</a> Admissions | Blog Entry: "What's the big deal about 40^2?"</p>
<p>Here's the relevant paragraph from that link:</p>
<p>"Let me tell you one more story that I often relay. I was doing a regional reception in a city a few years back, and afterwards a student -- we'll call her Artemis -- comes up to me and tells me that she has a 760 on the Math SAT. As I was about to tell her that her score was just fine, she keeps talking, to inform me that she was going to take the test again, since "clearly" her score was "too low." I was like, "What?!?!" I "ordered" Artemis to not take the Math SAT again, and instead to have a picnic on that Saturday. Because to us, a 760 math is the same as any higher score she could receive on the retest. "</p>
<p>I love MIT, but I have a difficult time taking what they say about standardized tests seriously.</p>
<p>Don't bother with your SAT II's, at the very least, however.</p>