Retake 2350?

Test Preparation
1

I took the SAT last month as a sophomore and got a 2350 (CR 780, M 800, W 770).

Should I retake it again in winter or take the new SAT at the end of my junior year?

I have no hooks and the 75th percentile at top schools is 2390-2400 so I’m worried… Should I just go hard on the ECs and focus on keeping my grades up, or try for a better score?

2

No.

The difference between 2350 and 2400 is not what will push a borderline application into the acceptance pile. Focus your energies on other parts of your application like your essays.

3

2350 is more than enough; you should feel proud with that score! You really shouldn’t even think of retaking it given the strong consistency of your scores, but if you feel like you can do better with the redesigned SAT, trying it out couldn’t hurt.

Keep in mind that a perfect/near-perfect score isn’t necessarily a hook to colleges; it looks nice for sure, but given the high competition among other students, it’s better to focus on what you can do to differentiate yourself from the pack. I’d recommend focusing more on a small group of ECs you are passionate in and keeping your grades up.

4

I doubt it. How do you know this?

5

@MITer94

http://www.collegesimply.com/guides/2350-on-the-sat/

Although I doubt the validity of that website if they’re giving admission chances based solely on the SAT

6

I have never heard of a school with a a 75% range at 2390+ .

7

There’s no school that would reject you solely because you didn’t get a 2400–and like many others have stated, I don’t think most top schools actually have a 75th percentile of 2390-2400.

8

:-<
OK, let’s use Yale as an example. The website above says that 2390 is the 75th percentile. If you look at [Yale’s Common Data Set](http://oir.yale.edu/sites/default/files/CDS2014_2015_5.pdf), it states that the 75th percentile is 800M/800CR/790W. So that’s 2390, right?

Wrong. That erroneous assumption is based upon the flawed concept that the same student is in the 75th percentile for each section. The reality is some have high Math scores and some have high CR scores and vice-versa.

Bottom line, don’t waste time retaking a 2350.

9

Nope. Congrats now move on to bigger and more rewarding ways to use your time and money! :slight_smile:

10

God no. Sleep in on Saturday.

11

Great score! All that is left is to take two SAT subject tests. Math 2 and Chem/Physics for Eng/Science, your choice for other majors. After that you are done.

12

No. Don’t worry about it. Same as 2400.

13

Don’t do it. I had a 2300 and was gonna retake, then I realized it’s not worth it:

  1. You did all that studying for that 1 test, afterwards it won't be the same. You're probably mentally exhausted and you're expecting to get a certain score now, which can impede test performance and you may do worse.
  2. A 2350 is literally 2-3 questions away from a 2400. I'm not entirely sure about this, but I think many people will agree with me somewhat that colleges reject 2400 all the time--sometimes because these applicants are very shallow or sometimes to make a statement (i.e. University A rejected ___ people with 2400s, WOW they're a really competitive and prestigious school). Sometimes it's better to not be perfect haha (that being said, people with 2400s and a good applications are not at all at a disadvantage, I just know people with 2400s that thought that would be enough to get into a certain school and they didn't get in).
  3. A retake will look worse. You're not guaranteed the higher score, and colleges may bat an eye and say "why would he/she retake instead of doing something else?" Focus on your essays, those are really important. Essays are a HUGE priority.

Good luck ~

14

DaedricSaiyan’s point #3 is especially spot on!

Can you name a school that would reject you with a 2350 but accept you with a 2400?
Me neither.

Story about DS, who can find a silver lining on most things. He got 2360 on his SATs. The frustrating thing to him was that he only got one question wrong on math, a very easy question (he called it “count on your fingers easy”). There was also a crazy curve on that test, where one wrong would dock you 40 points (even on math, it’s usually no worse than -20).

He briefly thought about retaking it, and then decided that AOs are always bragging that they rejected some kids with perfect 2400s, so he had actually dodged that bullet by being close but not perfect. He did something similar on SAT IIs: 800, 800, 780.

Long story short: concentrate on your essays and recs. Good luck.

15

You are a rising Junior, my suggestion is to be very active in EC’s: taking some leadership roles, as well as maintaining a high GPA. Also instead of studying for the SAT to increase by a mere 50 points, you could be volunteering some where, which would be more helpful and look A LOT better on a College Application.

16

I too got a 2350 sophomore year and I think I’m taking the new SAT. Why not? It’s only several hours of one day, and I may get that coveted 2400. But also, more importantly, I think you need to take the new SAT to qualify for NMF.

17

I do not believe this to be true, but will be happy to be proven wrong.

18

@supercilious For 2015 National Merit Finalist requirements and instructions, it says that you must have taken an SAT (which reflects your PSAT scores) between October 2012 and December 2014- if they similarly offer a range during your year, you should be fine and not need a retake, although I guess they could possibly change it. It might be best for you to not waste time retaking unless you find out for sure whether you will need to.
http://www.nationalmerit.org/Merit_R&I_Leaflet.pdf

19

@skieurope @shrimps my info is probably wrong–I just recall hearing that somewhere. I’m actually relieved that I don’t HAVE to take another SAT I

20

Thanks for the advice everyone! I’ve decided I won’t be retaking the SAT.

The discussion of the NMF requirements, however, concerns me - does anyone know with any confidence if colleges will accept the old SAT scores when I apply in 2016-2017 (Class of 2017)?

EDIT: If anyone else in in class of 2017, you’re good fam

http://blog.prepscholar.com/will-colleges-accept-the-old-sat-for-class-of-2017-or-2018-30-plus-schools-interviewed