<p>I took the SAT this June as a junior and received the following scores. </p>
<p>Reading 800
Math 800
Writing 680 (8) : (</p>
<p>Composite 2280 </p>
<p>That was on my second try at the SAT. Of course, I couldn't be happier with my R and M scores. The writing, however, is not spectacular especially considering that it's the "easy" section and people usually score high on writing. I know I can do better than an 8 on the essay and get a close to perfect score on the MC section. Should I retake it a third time to get that writing score up? (My reading score may drop a little, so the composite won't be higher, but if superscored that could be a potentially substantial rise.) </p>
<p>If it were Math or Reading 680, I wouldn't hesitate to retake it again, but it's Writing, that controversial section whose weight is uncertain. I heard that some schools don't even look at it, while others give it little weight. Yet I'm convinced (correct me if I'm wrong) that it probably still plays a role in admissions. For ex. why would schools ask for the ACT WITH writing, if the SAT's writing section doesn't count? Does a 2380/1600 look better than a 2250/1600? Should I bother to raise my writing score (and I'm pretty sure I can if i tried)? How important is the writing section REALLY to colleges? (If it were a 750, i wouldn't even think about retaking. but it's a 680, which at the Ivies is on the lower, 25% end)</p>
<p>In addition, I've taken the SAT twice. Will taking it a third time to raise writing be seen unfavorably by schools (thinking I'm test obsessed, etc)? I don't plan on using score choice because that's frowned upon. </p>
<p>I'm looking at some very selective institutions like HYPSM, Duke, and the Ivies. I'm white male, have good grades and fairly decent ECs, so I'm just curious about the SAT. : ) </p>
<p>Thanks a bunch to everyone for your help and advice!</p>
<p>I don’t think taking it a third time will negatively affect you. I would personally do it if you have the time and the energy to take the SAT once more. I took the SAT three times so I wouldn’t worry and most top school superscore anyways, so you would simply have to focus on the writing section when you take the SAT again.</p>
<p>I’m in the same position as you, buddy (except a little bit lower)</p>
<p>800 CR
780 M
650 W (7)</p>
<p>…From what I’ve heard, and I might not be right. Remember how the top colleges always required the SAT II Writing subject test before 2005? </p>
<p>I’m pretty sure a lot of top colleges treat the writing section as the same weight as the old subject test. Furthermore, U.S. News still uses only CR+M to determine rankings, not W. But some colleges might give it equal weight, unfortunately.</p>
<p>I’m in the same boat. 800, 780, and 680 on W. I received a 5 on the AP English test and have won several writing awards and competitions. My essays will be good. My fear is that my writing accomplishments and essays will be viewed differently because I received a 7 on my SAT essay (and I remain convinced that the readers can’t see beyond a canned, mechanical essay). I also fear that my other two scores will fall if I take the SAT again, and I don’t believe schools when they talk about superscoring.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure when colleges say superscoring, they superscore. Basically what they do is have a machine or some other person pick out your highest scores and forward those to the admissions officers, who won’t even see your other scores. (At least, I think some schools do this)</p>
<p>Definitely retake. There’s no doubt that the Writing section is easier than the Reading section, so you should really have no trouble pulling that up. And as other people have said, there’s really no way that a third attempt could negatively impact your chances. Colleges respect the sanctity of the superscore.</p>
<p>Retake without a doubt. With an 800 CR there’s no reason you should not pick up what you need to do to get the 800 writing in a week or 2. This was the exact case for one of my three–a really good writer who got a 720/9 essay the first time and then an 800/12 on the test 1 month later. We got an excellent tutor for I think 2 online sessions! There are some excellent ones who will teach you the formula for acing the writing section.</p>
you have the exact score I had on my first, cold sitting, essay and all. now guess if I retook.</p>
<p>okay, well I said first sitting, so obviously I wrote it again. second sitting was exactly the same… except a 780 in writing (incidentally, my essay was as terrible as before, I just aced the multiple choice lol). I simply got a writing book, spent a couple hours on it, and gave it a shot. nothing to lose (and I applied before score choice)</p>
<p>Woo, I’m not the only one! Good scores on everything except Writing… going to retake and remember to write a boring formulaic essay.
OP, maybe high Lang or Lit scores will help offset that score.</p>
<p>Thanks everybody for all your insightful responses! They’ve been very helpful. I have decided to retake it a third time in my senior year, since, as you’ve all said, a third time wouldn’t hurt thanks to superscore. So retake it is! Thanks again everyone! :D</p>
(incidentally, my essay was as terrible as before, I just aced the multiple choice lol). I simply got a writing book, spent a couple hours on it, and gave it a shot. nothing to lose (and I applied before score choice)</p>