Retaking SAT 1520?

Test Preparation
1

Hi all!! So I am an incoming senior aiming for top 20 schools and am looking for some recommendations about standardized testing plans. I took the SAT in August of last year and scored 1520 (780 math, 740 reading) (8/7/6 Essay). I also took the Chem and US history subject test, scoring 760 and 770 respectively. Technically, I am set and don’t NEED to take any other tests. But I am wondering if it might be beneficial took take the SAT in August. Here are my options:

  1. Take Math 2 (shooting for 800 but would definitely have to brush up on Precalc concepts) and Spanish (I am fluent but not a native speaker so should score well). This would allow me to apply to Georgetown which I am looking into (they require 3 tests) and a few business programs that I have considered that ask for math or language tests. That being said, while it would be great to have those programs as options to apply to, they are not programs/schools among my top 5-7 schools. Also if it helps, I am not looking at engineering/heavy STEM programs. Perhaps business/econ but definitely more of a focus on social sciences.
  2. Retake the sat and study for it. I took the SAT before junior year after having lived abroad attending school in Spanish and for only a couple weeks, and I think that I could bring up my reading score significantly (shooting for a total score to be 1550+). Then again, I am not sure if the marginal benefit of potentially gaining 30-50 points will help significantly. But I could be wrong.
  3. Take the SAT again without studying (maybe a couple of days of reviews). Not sure if this is risky because it would mean potentially scoring lower, but it would also be a good way to potentially improve reading score by 10-20 points to superscore.
  4. No more tests and focus on other aspects of apps like essays! I am sure that people will recommend this as well and I see nothing wrong with the advice, but I almost feel like I would regret not trying.

Sorry this is so long but I am really conflicted on what to do! Any and all advice is appreciated!

2

One challenge with questions like these is context. There’s no doubt that 1520 and upper 700’s are excellent scores. But when the context is admission to the very top schools, I’d say it might be worth some extra effort.

If you’re strong in math, the Math 2 has one of the highest percentage of 800 scores. But if you didn’t just finish Pre-calc, going back and remembering all of the material may require a bit of work.

I typically consider 1550 or higher as the “high enough, they’re all the same” cutoff. 1520 will still be above average at pretty much any school, but not in the top 25% where you’re comfortably in the top tier. 75%-ile is mostly 1550-1580. If 1520 was your first time taking the test, and you have time to prep/practice, I think another go at it makes sense.

One option is to study for the Math/Spanish Subject tests over the summer, take them in August, then the SAT in October. This allows Subject Test prep before school starts and you start mixing SAT math with School math (Calc, I assume), with a month left for the more general SAT prep.