SAT Risk Assessment

Applying to College
1

<p>I did well on the Math and CR portion of the November SAT (800 and 770), but I boned the writing (680). I received a lowly 5 on the essay but did very well on the multiple choice section. The essay readers apparently found my essay to be suckworthy. Anyway, I took a risk on the essay in hopes of getting a 12, and it came back to haunt me. I'm confident I could get a 9 or 10 and an overall score of 730-750 if I just played it safe. Here's my dilemma: I have no idea how I scored 800 on the math section. I was hoping for a 740. I would have been happy with a 720. I'm afraid to retake the test and expose my mediocre math skills. Although most schools say they consider composite scores, I've always worried that this is a line of crap, that they really average the scores for purposes of admission. </p>

<p>You guys are anal-retentive geeks like me, should I retake the test in hopes of improving my writing score even if it means getting a lower math score? Is it true that the top schools give much more weight to the Math and CR scores? If so, should I live with the 1570?</p>

2

<p>Where are you applying? Some schools won't look at writing. Also, some, but not all, schools superscore.</p>

<p>Also, your composite is really great. I personally wouldn't retake at the risk of losing those CR and M scores.</p>

3

<p>Unless you're applying to very top schools don't bother.</p>

4

<p>right, and when schools superscore they only take the highest score that each person has received in each category. so you should be fine!</p>

5

<p>Hah, you're not the only one. </p>

<p>800 CR, 780 M, and a godly 650 W. Apparently I can't write for crap either, according to some arbitrary ETS grader.</p>