<p>I've taken the SAT twice. I've never taken the ACT and I have taken one SAT Subject test.
1st Time (CR/M/W): 730/660/780 2170
2nd Time (CR/M/W): 780/720/740 2240
Super Score (CR/M/W): 780/720/780 2280</p>
<p>US History: 770</p>
<p>I guess I'm sort of happy with the super score, although I was aiming for 2300+ or as high a score as I could get. The one thing that scares me about sending my SAT scores in is my math score on the 1st test I took--660 (yikes). I'm happy with my US History score. I'm aiming for schools like Stanford, Penn, Swarthmore, Carleton, etc. I'm an incoming senior. </p>
<p>My dilemma is this--I basically have one last chance for testing: either this September with the ACT or this October for the Math 2 subject test. For Math 2, I'm aiming for 770+. For the ACT, I'd be aiming for 34+. If I take the ACT, I wouldn't send in my SAT scores, just the US History one. If I take Math 2, I'd just send in my SAT and subject scores. I want to do Early Action to Stanford.</p>
<p>I don't think it's a good idea for me to take both of them because I'm going to have to juggle schoolwork, work, college apps, etc. in the fall. Any thoughts? Sorry for any typos or whatever; I typed this quickly. I know I should take an ACT practice test. I'll be doing that shortly. Thanks ahead of time. I appreciate it. XOXO</p>
<p>First of all, getting ACT 34 is about the same as getting 2280 in SAT. So if time is your concern, why would you even take it? Taking SAT2 Math2 makes sense as many schools (particularly engineering) require it, it is easy to score 800 (~15%), and you have some relative weakness in your SAT1 Math score. On the other hand, I don’t think there would be much time conflict as you should prepare for the ACT over the Summer and take it in September. Most of your EA/ED would be submitted way after that. Lastly, you don’t need to hide your SAT1 score even if you get a 34+ ACT score. Indeed, you may just make use of the 4 free score reports when you register for the SAT2 Math2 test to save money for application. It is actually cheaper to take the SAT2 with 4 free score reports than submitting 4 score reports out of your pocket.</p>
<p>Yes, I know an SAT 34 is about the same as an SAT 2290. That’s why it is my goal. My whole problem is that if I submit the SAT, schools will see that 660. Thank you for your input, though.</p>
<p>^ If they take superscore, they don’t worry about the 660 in your first attempt. If they don’t superscore but take the best single sitting, they don’t see that 660. Don’t worry about it.</p>
<p>Nice improvement on the CR and M sections.</p>
<p>Why did your Writing score go down by 40 points the second time you took it?
The Writing section is the easiest section to improve. Over the years, I’ve found that properly prepared students – those who do a modest amount of practice on the Writing section – see steady improvement in the first few times they take the test.</p>
<p>I’d recommend taking the Math Level 2 in October. For a strong math student, it’s fairly easy to get an 800 on that test even without prep. The curve is very generous. I took that test in the fall of my senior year after having covered the tested material 2 years prior and did well. I’m not sure why students amplify the stress in the spring of junior year by trying to take all of their Subject tests in May or June. Strong students will do well on the Subject tests as long as they are sufficiently motivated and have adequate time to prepare. Feel free to take them on any available test date.</p>
<p>If you are serious about getting into Stanford, you should make every effort to put your best foot forward with regard to standardized test scores. If that means retaking the SAT reasoning or Subject tests in November, December, and January, consider applying regular decision. </p>
<p>You already have a strong score on the SAT. Unless you have a strong reason to suspect that you’ll do significantly better on the ACT (35 or 36), you should stick with the SAT. FWIW, I wouldn’t worry about the 660 M score on your first SAT.</p>
<p>Have a great senior year and good luck on the college app process!</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses! I did worse in the writing section because I sort of blanked on the essay topic. Oops. I got an 8, compared to the 10 I got the first time.</p>
<p>But even if they do superstore, they still see that 660, right? That scares me.</p>
<p>Any more opinions for this poor, lost soul?</p>
<p>hummm, an ACT score that is equivalent to your SAT score is of no use to you. Waste of time. Stop concerning yourself about the one low SAT math, it won’t be considered. It also isn’t what the school will have to report should you be accepted.</p>
<p>I’m shooting for an ACT score higher than 34, though.</p>