<p>No harm in a SAT retake. Almost every college says they use the highest score. Plus, you can just not decide to send them the latest score if it goes down much.</p>
<p>You might offset a low math score by taking a couple SAT IIs in subjects where you are strong. The best time to take them is when the information is fresh in your mind (May or June).</p>
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The most selective colleges (HYPSYM, etc.) require that you send ALL testing results. I don’t know this first hand, but have read this numerous times on this Board. The same threads seem to indicated that taking the test twice carries no stigma, three times shows persisitence but also a slight question mark, and 4 times or more can show desperation. </p>
<p>I think colleges prefer an applicant try at least twice… there is enough randomness in how a tester responds to specific questions that taking only once reduces their chance for an optimal Superscore – it is the Superscore that he colleges publish in the CDS and their websites for their student’s testing scores… the higher the better, bragging rights and all.</p>
<p>is this a joke?</p>