Retake SAT for the third time?

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>My S has a 4.1 GPA, decent ECs, and a SAT of 800 reading, 710 writing and 680 math. He is planning on applying to some colleges that are "most selective" and we are wondering if it would be worthwhile to take the SAT for the third time in November. He believes that he could raise the math score but is concerned that the writing score might drop. Also, would admissions think it is funny if he takes it three times?</p>

<p>thanks,</p>

<p>FresnoMom</p>

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<p>depends on where he applies</p>

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<p>They truly do take the best score from each component, so don't worry that the other scores may drop. I'm not a fan of test-test-test, but if he looking at really competitive "lottery" schools, getting that math over 700 would be nice if he really thinks he can do it. The xiggi method is worth a try, for prep. I don't think admissions will find 3 test dates odd. That is not an uncommon number of attempts in my experience.</p>

<p>That said, has he finalized , or at least narrowed down, his list of schools? If you post the current list here, it might help us "vote" on whether he needs that third re-take. </p>

<p>How does he feel about the re-take? Is he raring to go, being dragged by the ear or in between? Ditto question about how he feels re studying/prepping before the re-take.</p>

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<p>FM:</p>

<p>Those are already excellent scores that would not keep him out of very many schools. Probably the only place would be the top tech schools like MIT and Caltech where the math score would be low. But, I doubt he's leaning that direction any way.</p>

<p>The main "real world" reason to try a third time would be that some schools seem to have a combined 1500 on the CR and Math as the cut-off for merit aid scholarships (the purpose of the merit aid to increase their median SAT scores and hence "prestige). In any case, 20 points could end up making a difference financially.</p>

<p>Most schools only look at the highest score on each section. Doesn't matter if the highest score on one came from one test date and the highest score on another from a second test date. So there is no downside to taking them again....except wasting more time and money on a stupid test!</p>

<p>I probably wouldn't go beyond three tries. Although they don't admit it, I have a hunch that schools sometimes look at kids taking SATS four and five times with a bit of a jaundiced eye.</p>

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<p>id - what ARE we doing awake at this hour? :eek:
<em>apologies for the sidetrack</em></p>

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<p>Hi guys,</p>

<p>S decided to apply to some ivies.</p>

<p>On his first two attempts, he didn't really study or prep for them. I bought him a SAT book and he glanced at it for half an hour. I think he is realizing that with a little bit of effort, it could make his total score more competitive. </p>

<p>It's 1:25 am here in California so you guys really should GO TO BED and get some sleep!</p>

<p>thanks for the quick answer!</p>

<p>FresnoMom</p>

<p>PS IDad.....thanks for all your advice on yesterday's thread. Husband, son and I went over the responses and it helped a lot......</p>