<p>My 9th grade daughter is getting advice from a retired guidance counselor. She took the SAT as part of the Duke Talent Search in 7th grade, and he advised her to take it once every year. The idea was that by the time it really mattered, she would be comfortable with the test. She took the new SAT in 8th grade, and did poorly on the verbal. I am getting opinions from the parent forum that this would work against her. What do you think?</p>
<p>Definitely DON'T follow that piece of advice. Sitting twice for a test is okay, but above three times it starts looking bad...that's what all my college people have told me. She should just take it once or twice ONLY when she's prepared.</p>
<p>Don't take SAT I until junior year. Unless you can get like 800s. Because your SAT scores taken after 8th grade will show up on your report.</p>
<p>At my school, many people take the SAT/ACT before their junior year and many kids get accepted into elite schools after taking it again.</p>
<p>The problem with the advice is not the issue about taking the SAT too many times. I know one student who got into Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and MIT after taking the SAT 5 times and also taking the ACT. Colleges really don't care. The problem is really that it's not worth it. Why bother taking the SAT so many times? Your daughter will be taking the PSAT twice and will also be taking 3 SAT IIs. Why would you subject her to 4 more redundant tests?</p>