Hi, I took the SAT one time without any preparation and scored a 1490 (34 on ACT about). I was wondering if I should retake to try to improve that score in June, or whether to prioritize other things (I have a lot of stuff going on, and don’t have time to study for the test).
If you don’t have time to study, move on. What types of schools are you aiming for? A 1490 is fine for someone trying to go somewhere like NYU, but questionable for Columbia.
EDIT Just saw you’re a recruitable athlete, that changes things.
I am aiming for Harvard and Yale, as a recruited athlete.
Have the coaches told you what score you need?
They said 1300 is the bare minimum, but the higher it is, the easier it is for them to make a case for admissions to accept me. Generally, 1500 and 34 are considered the target numbers.
As a recruited athlete, you should check back in with the coach. If you don’t have time to study, you may not improve. However, depending on the recruiting timeline you may be able to take it at a later test date.
A 1490 is not that bad though, correct? It is above the 25th percentile, but below average.
They told you to target a 1500 and you got a 1490. The 10 point difference is not statistically significant, but whether it’s close enough is up to the college, which is why you should check back with the coach.