I’m kinda facing a dilemma right now because I can’t decide whether I should retake the SAT… I took it in December and got a 1520, which is higher than I expected lol. However, I feel like I can improve more since I usually score 800 on the math section. I also think that I should improve my essay score because it is relatively low… 1520 is lower than average for some schools that I want to apply to (MIT haha), but retaking the SAT would mean spending extra time to study while being stressed by a bunch of college apps My score might drop to the 1400s as well, which honestly concerns me the most. So… what would you guys suggest? Are my SAT score and my essay score high enough?
Thank you so much for your help
I have this exact same dilemma! Is it better to not risk it and take my good score or attempt to study and possibly do better? I also didn’t study for it so I’m not completely sure it wasn’t just luck and don’t want to ruin it. Sorry this is not an answer but we just got basically the same scores and have the same problem.
Take it again. If you could make this 1520 a 1550+ if not 1600, I think it’s worth it. Just make sure that when you study, you study as if it is your first time. Many people make the mistake of just “revising” before taking the SAT again and see no improvement in score.
FWIW, I’m in almost the exact same situation literally the only difference is I’m 10 lower on math. I’m considering retaking in June. Keep us posted on your decision
You should probably take it again, the 780 will stand as your math score so don’t worry about the 1520 so much as the 740 and 18 that you can improve on.
@callogan44 I decided to take it again because I’m applying for engineering… and my college counselor said that I really need a perfect score on math since I got a 790 on Math 2 :((
Wow, that kind of surprises me. I think 780 is good enough to be extremely competitive at absolutely any school, whether or not your intended major is in STEM. If anything, I would have advised you to study exclusively for EBRW, because the difference between an 800 and 780 on math is minuscule, and also because you’ve already confirmed that your math ability is very strong with your subject test. However, your counselor may know more than me, as I’m not very familiar with admissions practices for Engineering schools. Good luck, and if I were you, I would try to study for reading/writing as well as math.
@callogan44 Yeah I am gonna study for both… My college counselor said that top engineering schools have 800 as their average math 2 score, so 790 would put me in the 25th percentile… She even told me that retaking math 2 might help. I’m definitely not gonna do that tho lol
We are taking a different approach. Child took the test once in December of junior year, scored much lower than you did but still in or above the middle 50 percent for every school in the country and over the mean of all but 10 of the schools. He scored better than he had anticipated and felt he was “done.” We are supporting his decision. We figure the test score is one factor, not the only factor, and we want him to focus on his classes and extracurriculars, not on test prep… and hopefully enjoy high school as well!
You will have to decide what you think is most important. But remember that there are no cut-off scores. It is holistic admissions.
My score might drop to the 1400s as well, which honestly concerns me the most. So… what would you guys suggest? Are my SAT score and my essay score high enough?