Hello all,
I’m in a predicament of whether I should retake the SATs again or not. My first time’s (March) results were: C1400 M740 RW660. Dissatisfied with my initial scores, I took it again in May. My May SAT scores are: C1450 M750 RW700. Now here I am, frustrated. I know that a 1450 is not a bad score by any means but I would like to have a higher score as I am intending to apply to some upper-tier schools. Some of the schools I’m looking at are: USAFA, USMA, most UCs, Brown, Columbia, UTAustin, etc…
I feel like there’s a chance I could break 1500 the third time, but how significant will breaking that barrier be? On track of being the valedictorian of my class, I feel like my standardized test scores aren’t aligning with my high GPA (not trying to be a snobbish fool who automatically expects to get a perfect SAT score solely based on his high school GPA)… Is there a good chance that I would increase my score the third time around?
Thank you very much in advance to those who have taken the time to read this post and given some consideration to answer. 
I’d probably take it one last time. The reading/writing should be a lot easier just with more familiarization with the test. It’s all about learning the test and knowing it inside and out. It seems like maybe you just haven’t had enough time. What has your study schedule/technique been?
@wishhhh Oh hi! I honestly wasn’t expecting a reply for this thread, but I guess I was wrong after all, lol. Sadly, this summer hasn’t been a successful “SAT-prep” summer because I was so consumed with other events. I’ve mainly focused myself with: my Eagle scout project, community service at a hospital, Europe trip, tutoring middle school students, work, and service academy applications. At this rate, my decision whether to take the SAT once more or not is even more unclear. I see that the next SAT date is October 1st, and I am not 100% confident that I will be get a better score (as I have put in 0 hours of SAT studying this summer…). May I ask for your opinion one more time in order to help with my decision? Thank you very much!!
Are you in state for UT? What is your class rank? That is going to be a big factor in being accepted into UT over your SAT score.
@Thelma2 I am unfortunately out-of-state for most of the schools I’m looking at. I attend a public high school in California, and I am first out of 460 students or so in my class. If I decide to apply to UT Austin in the end, I plan to apply for the Forty Acres scholarship
What major will you be applying to? Being OOS, and UT accepts a very small number of out of state, I would take the SAT again. Present the best application possible. Do all three essays. Make them stellar. Upload the extended resume. Get recommendation letters. The pool accepted OOS is very small and highly competitive.
You can upload the supporting documents up until Dec 31 but you Apply Texas application needs to be by Dec. 1 (with essays). The earlier you submit your application, you will receive your NET ID and can apply to housing so you get preferred housing of your choice.
Good Luck.
hahah omg looking over this again I’m even more confused. I would start by taking a practice test after studying a bit more maybe?? if you do better on the practice test then take it again. 750 on math is pretty good and I believe that 700 is alright for english. English could definitely be boosted and it might be nice to get 10 or 20 points higher on math if you think that’s possible. But really start with practice tests. Don’t take it again if you haven’t studied or don’t plan to. You can honestly make a lot of progress over this last week of August and the month of September. You just have to be really disciplined and intense about it.