I have ambitions for Ivies and got a 2300 on the SAT: 800 on writing and math and 700 on critical reading. Should I retake in January? I’m confident that I can boost my critical reading score but scared that my scores on the other sections might drop. Advice please 
No
No. 2300 ≈ 2400. In fact, 2250 ≈ 2400 in the eyes of elite public/private schools.
2250 is not equal to 2400.
2250 is just the threshold you need to be qualified.
You don’t need to retake a 2300. Spend your time doing something more productive.
@Oberyn Please read my comment again. No where did I say 2250 = 2400. That kind of difference is the matter of 4-5 questions so essentially, an applicant with 2250 and 2400 is very similar to elite colleges.
Definitely not—you’ll appear test-obsessed. Do something better with your time—2300 is just fine.
If that was your first attempt at the SAT, and you are a Jr. , then go for it . Taking the SAT twice
is fine
@Oberyn , isn’t 700 in each section what all Ivies and elites look for as a minimum?
The likelihood that the 2300 is the deal breaker on your applications is very, very small. If you are a junior and this was the first time you took the SAT and you feel like you could raise your CR without lowering Math and Writing by much, I’d say go for it if you have nothing else to do on a Saturday morning.
IMO, taking it again would make you look a wee bit obsessive. It’s a great score - go out and celebrate!
It’s going to take a lot more effort than just one saturday morning to improve a 2300. If OP has nothing better to do with their time then they’ll probably struggle with getting into ivy league schools and it will have nothing to do with their SAT score.
OP was also worried that taking it again might cause the two 800 scores to drop—a realistic concern. Why take the risk—and, more important, why waste the time and money?
Most top schools will take the BEST numbers in each category.
If the OP thinks he can do better with the CR score, and there in no reason to doubt what he thinks is possible, I see no downside to taking the SAT one more time.
No.
You’ll look test-obsessed, ie., a student who’s lost focus on what really matters. Focus on other things.
(Have you read Cal Newport’s How to be a HS superstar?)
I agree with MYOS, above. My D had a good score, not as high as yours, and when we looked on college board, it showed that students with already high scores had a drop in scores something like 60% of the time. Surely it is more impressive to have a great score first time around, which yours is. Save you’re errand money for something more useful, like relaxing for an hour or so.
Please don’t.
Yeah, I wouldn’t. I got a 2300 my first time around too (800 CR | 800 W | 700 M), and my principal told me to take it again because I “can’t apply as a CS major with a 700 in math.” I took it again and my writing score dropped to a 690. I ended up getting an 800 in math, giving me a superscore of 2400, but I don’t think that makes any difference for my application. In fact, I’m afraid it’ll backfire (we all know how much admissions officers like rejecting 2400s). Don’t do it. It honestly won’t make a difference. I mean, if you’re applying as an English major, then maybe? But if not, then just leave it. I really wish I hadn’t taken it again because it was totally unnecessary.
Do not retake. Retaking on a 2300, remember some schools will want to see your entire SAT history, sends a message to the admissions office. They may read it as misplaced goals and priorities.
You’re one and done with the tests. congrats and enjoy. Now, go do what you really enjoy doing.
Don’t retake it if you’re only retaking it for admissions; a 2300 is more than enough for admissions to any school.
HOWEVER, I do admit to retaking my SATs a third time because I had a 770 on the CR and I wanted to get it to 800 for myself (and I did). No regrets. My math score did drop, but superscore, so it didn’t matter. This was also back when it was only like $25 a pop, though.