SAT: Take a 3rd time??

<p>Guys, I really need some advice.</p>

<p>So I took the sat in March and got a 1760. Then I got a 1910 on the June sat. I'm a really high achiever and I want to go to Barnard or Cornell. I have a great GPA for the most part and tons of ecs and volunteer hours. Also, i'm an African American female. People tell me that's a plus. Anyway, I was really aiming for about 2100 or more. I know it's a long shot but I think I can do it. Should I prep over the summer and take it again or will this score suffice?</p>

<p>For Cornell, I would advise trying to raise your scores. Your GPA and ethnicity will certainly help, but if you apply yourself over the summer and study hard, you could most likely see a significant increase in your scores.</p>

<p>I think it is worth taking again if you are able to spend time seriously prepping for it. I personally don’t see the value in taking it so many times that you just burn out on it, but I know of many students who would take it a third time after working at preparing.</p>

<p>In general, the more competitive your application is, the better your chances of admission are. This would be the same for people of any background. </p>

<p>I don’t think anyone, anywhere, can feel they have a sure shot at a competitive college with current acceptance rates as they are. The best you can do it give it your best effort, and I think you believe you can do better and are motivated. That’s a good enough reason to take it again.</p>

<p>Also be sure to have a range of reach, match, and safety schools when you apply. Do the best you can and you will then know that the outcome is your best effort. However, after several attempts at the SAT, it may be more productive to spend your time on your other interests and academics. You will know when that time is. For now, it seems you are very able and willing to give it another go.</p>

<p>Best wishes</p>

<p>Well you’ve made a 150 point bump once, I think you can do it again. It will look good for colleges if you do to show your consistent progress, but you’ll need at least a 100 point bump. Otherwise they might just look at you as a now stagnant test taker.</p>

<p>Will it look bad that I took it a 3 rd time?</p>

<p>It won’t look bad if you take it a 3rd time, as long as you apply yourself and there is a significant increase. If you believe that you will be able to increase as much as you did between the first and second tests, taking the SAT a third time would benefit you.</p>

<p>I am a student as well, stressed out as well over some standardized test, and I just want to share with you what I have found on this subject: Taking the SAT two times is recommended, but taking it three is going to the limit. Most colleges see needlessness and obsession after three times. Also, if you have a significant point jump within each time (which you have between your first and second time) then it will be noticed and show why you took the SAT three times. If you don’t do as you’d like the third time, try the ACT, it could turn out in your favor. Finally, remember that you’ll have SAT subject tests (or an ACT w/ writing, depending which route you take) that will show your intelligence in other ways, but also through a standardized test. Studying truly does work, so good luck and I hope I provided some peace within your mind!</p>

<p>There is nothing wrong with taking it 3 times, I will be doing it in October, and if I’m still dissatisfied, in November as well!</p>

<p>Yuppp; retake it! Taking it 3 times is fine… It’s when you take the 4th, or the 5th, etc, that is looks bad…</p>

<p>Thanks so much for your input I’m going to study hard this summer and take it again in October. I just hope I get it in time to do early action for Barnard college</p>

<p>@KDavs5 Just so you know, Barnard doesn’t have early action, only early decision. Idk if you already knew that or if you just got the terms confused lol</p>

<p>Oh that’s what I meant. Lol</p>

<p>@KDavs95
What’s your best sectional breakdown right now? Remember Cornell doesn’t value the Writing score, so if you have, say 1350 M+R, you may actually be fine. Still, if you feel you can bump your M/R score by ~50 points, it’s definitely worth it imo</p>

<p>I agree with everybody on here. You are motivated so it’s worth taking it a third time. Make sure to go over all the questions that you miss on the practice exams and really know how to work those! Learn from those mistakes, because a very similar question is bound to show up on the real test! One strategy that I used that worked, is that I used the Barron’s practice book to study at the beginning. It is harder than the real test, so you are studying at a higher level. Don’t be discouraged with the scores. Then the last practice that you take before the real test should be an official College Board test. Hopefully you will do better on that one! You want to peak just in time for the real thing! Good luck!!!</p>

<p>just a question along the lines of this thread, if I’ve already taken the SAT twice, but the first time was freshman year, would it be recommended to take it a 3rd time?</p>