Re-Take SAT? - advice needed

DD is a junior and has taken the SAT 2x this fall. Most recent was 1460 (720 Verbal, 740 Math).

Did well above her normal ability on Math this time. Verbal scores (Reading section in particular) is where she feels she could have done much better. Always did better on Verbal in the practice tests.

She is signed up to take it again in early November but has little time to do more prep due to other school work this week.

So, debating on taking it again and trying for a superscore of close to 1500 or being content with the 1460 and putting standardized testing in our rearview mirror.

Top choice is GA Tech (we are GA residents). Might consider Chapel Hill as well as a reach.

Seems to us she is “in range” for Tech, just wondering if it is really necessary to keep pushing for more (given the need to focus on other things, like GPA!).

GA Tech common data set:

https://www.irp.gatech.edu/common-data-set

Her scores are in the mid range but not in the top 75 percentile for GA Tech.
If she wants to retake then take it at the end of this year or next August. She is just a junior. There is no point to retake this November if she is not well prepared.

My junior D has not taken SAT test (only SAT subject tests). I believe what the kids learn during the junior year will help improve the SAT reading and writing.

Thanks for the data set. That actually begs another question for me…looking at the range, how critical is it to be at the top of the range?

Higher is always better, i know. But if you are sitting at maybe around 60th - 65th percentile, do you really NEED to spend the effort to get up to 75th or better?

Already more than half of admitted applicants will have lower scores than DD.

DD grades are good with heavy rigor (unweighted 3.88), but others will be stronger for certain. I know at GA Tech they consider standardized tests as Important and GPA as Very Important.

Tricky trade offs our kids have to make.

It sounds like she would be fine without additional testing. In my mind, if she has better things to do with her time, do those. There are only so many hours in the day.

I would also say that if she wants to test again, who not wait until next summer. The additional year might make a bigger difference than another month of cramming.

I think your D has a very high chance.
Table C11 says that 90% of enrolled freshmen has GPA 3.75+
Table C9 says that 90% of freshmen has SAT scores between 600 and 800.

I think she should concentrate on GPA for now.

Nobody can have an absolute answer on college admission.

She should give it a rest this year and focus on her classes and ECs. Next summer, she’ll have lots of time for test prep and can take the SAT in August before school starts.

Thanks all. You have validated what i was leaning towards, which is to advise her not to stress about squeezing another test in now and take a wait and see approach given free time coming up next summer.

So much for fatherly advice…DD wanted to take it again right away, so she ignored my advice, signed up and proceeded to get herself a 1500!

That’s the spirit! And fantastic score - well done to your DD!