<p>I took the SAT for the first time as a junior in Oct. 2011. I got a 2270 (780 cr, 690 m, 800 w) but I planned to take it again. I prepared a lot, but only from an online course from my school and the blue book. My Oct 2011 PSAT was 222.</p>
<p>Now that the school year is in full swing and I have very little time to study, I am rethinking my retake. I don't want to go through the effort and stress of preparing and taking the exam. I'd rather focus on my AP tests and staying sane.</p>
<p>However, I think my writing essay score is an issue. I got a 9 (with 80 mc) and the quality was not like that of my usual writing. I get very stressed when writing under time constraints, so my essay was pretty bad. I've heard the essay is considered in some admissions processes - will my crappy essay hurt my chances?</p>
<p>I think I can get an 800 on critical reading on my second take, but I'm not too concerned with that. </p>
<p>Also, my 690 in math is a problem. Should I retake to get it in the 700s, or is it not worth it? I am telling colleges I am applying for history, but I think I'll change to bio or a science when I get there.</p>
<p>My main issue is merit scholarships. My family can't really afford the EFC that FAFSA wants us to pay, so I am looking into schools below my range (not that they're bad, they're just less competitive) for merit scholarships. I think a score in the 2300s may improve my chances for one - what do you think?</p>
<p>Should I put in the effort and take it in June to bring it up, or am I ok where I am?</p>
<p>I would retake cuase you have alot of potential if you can score that high on the first time. As long as you study you can get a 2300. Even though there is minimal difference between your score and 2300, it still looks good and especially for your scholarships.</p>
<p>I would retake it for the sake of balance. As in, if your 2270 was 760, 760, 750, it would be fine. I figure being well rounded is a lot stronger than being one- (or in this case, two-) sided. </p>
<p>Good luck! I’m sure you can do well on the test. Just practice some SAT math problems.</p>
<p>I think you should retake in June. APs will be over and you will have time to study. My teacher said the June SAT has been relatively easy for the past several years.</p>
<p>I retook my 2270, because I wanted to see if I could get the elusive 2400. It was more for my benefit than for college applications-- I like challenges, and I thought I could beat the testing game. I got a 2370, and though I fell short of my goal, I was happy with the score. </p>
<p>You don’t seem to be very interested in giving it a go for your own good. This suggests to me that you shouldn’t retake. However, for some colleges, your SAT may be a negative factor in your admissions. If you’re fine with top tier colleges like UChicago, don’t worry about your score. Only retake if you want to see what you can do, or if you want to have a go at the upper-top tier.</p>
<p>Your CR and W scores are near perfect, I wouldn’t retake to improve those scores. If you have time to prep the math portion then retake the SAT.
BTW, which colleges consider the essay of the SAT?</p>
<p>When I saw this thread, I thought that CC needs a “Retake 2400?” thread. Then I thought about the reasoning behind such a thread: “my friends think I got lucky” or something along those lines. Mwahahaha >:P</p>
<p>Definitely retake. Some schools, like the SUNY’s if you are applying there, only look at CR/M, which is a 1470 for you: very good, but not excellent. You will have a great shot at merit scholarships with a 1500+ SAT, and I know some schools give merit scholarships also to national merit students.</p>
Just practice some SAT math problems.</p>