<p>Here's the situation, I'm gonna be applying as a sophomore transfer for next fall which means that my SAT scores are gonna come under scrutiny. I've already taken the SATs 3 times with my top score being 2080, but I know that if I retake it now, I can do better. However, I'm worried that colleges aren't going to like the fact that I took the test 4 times and had a retake after high school. Because of this, I'm considering the ACT because it offers me a clean slate to perform on. However, I'm still very new to the testing format and I've heard that in addition to writing, critical reading, and math sections, there will also be a science section, which is probably my weakest subject.</p>
<p>I'd appreciate any helpful comments or suggestions.</p>
<p>i also took the SAT three times in high school and topped out at 1930. Instead, I chose to retake my subject tests (which was a horrible mistake) and take the ACT. I did a lot better on the ACT after a couple of practice tests. I would say give the ACT a shot and if it doesn't work out, retake the SAT... it can't do anything but help. The college can either disregard it because you took it in college or just accept your highest score.</p>
<p>Forget about the SAT and take the ACT because</p>
<p>1) You dont want to retake the SAT and get a low score(for whatever reason)..colleges will see the score and think "This is this guy's 4th time taking it and he cant even get an amazing score as a college student?''. Whereas you can bomb the ACT as much as you want to and only send your strong score.
2) A 31/32(which you can score) will probably look better than a 2080 even though they're equivalent.
3)You'll probably do better on it. It's much easier to improve your score as long as you practice.
4) If you're very strong in two sections and weak at the other two, your composite will still look decent.</p>
<p>Sweet, great advice guys, I think I'm pretty much set on ACTs. </p>
<p>My initial problem with the ACT was the seemingly rigid scoring system. Whereas the SAT's have 240 different score levels, the ACT only offers 36 which could round a test down and seriously damage the test-takers chances at a good college. </p>
<p>Do you guys know if there are any schools out there who don't want sophomore transfers to retake their SATs/ACTs?</p>
<p>Take a practice ACT and see how you do on it. If you get anything above a 30, I say stick with it, practice and i'm sure you should be able to get your score up a few points before the application deadline. As for schools that don't allow college students to retake standardized tests, carnegie mellon is the only one i've heard of but i'm sure there are others. But seriously, your current score isn't going to like damage your chances(for the schools that wont accept tests taken in college). Just do very well in college this fall.</p>
<p>Yeah, couldn't hurt to give it a shot. Do you know if the science section involves any Chem or Physics? Or is it just more of a mathematical problem-solving deal?</p>