<p>I am planning on taking the SAT I this saturday. This will be my 4th time (Yes it's a lot because I thought there's score choice) I just took a sat practice test and scored lower than I usually do, most likely because I haven't been been practicing my SAT. I also realize that the colleges I apply to (UCs, Cornell, USC) require all the scores to be submitted and do superscores. (Please confirm this for me!) So now my originial plan of score choice is irrelevant. </p>
<p>Should I retake my SAT I and hope that I score better than before? I'm just worried that colleges will see a low score and 4 SAT scores. Of course if I do score low, I can just send in my ACT score instead, but my ACT score is 10 pts less than my SAT superscore. I also could retake my SAT II math this saturday...So should I just send in my ACT score and retake SAT II math this saturday instead? (I do understand there is a fee involved for changing tests) I haven't been practicing my math subject though but I am in Calc AB.</p>
<p>My SAT is around 2100 and ACT is 32. </p>
<p>Sorry if this seems confusing...I'm confused myself lol.</p>
<p>First, check the anti-score choice colleges carefully because when some of them say “all” scores they mean all – you have to send or at least list on the application all ACT, SAT and SAT II scores you have and you can’t send ACT and not your SATs and vice versa. Note also, it is my understanding that USC accepts score choice, meaning you can send whatever scores you choose to send.</p>
<p>Second, Cornell and USC superscore SATs. The UCs do not but instead rely on that test which has the highest composite.</p>
<p>Third, a 32 ACT, according to modern concordance tables put out jointly by the ACT and the College Board (SAT), is in the same range or somewhat higher than a 2100 SAT and if you calculated a “10 point” difference you really got no difference at all because that is not enough to make any difference.</p>
<p>Third, after three times do you really believe you are going to do significantly better on the SAT. If not, why take it?</p>
<p>Fourth, same question as to SAT II Math and if score is already in the 700s there is no real reason to retake.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for answering my questions. But which colleges need me to send all the tests I’ve taken, both ACT AND SAT? </p>
<p>I looked on Cornell’s website and this is what I found:</p>
<p>Standardized Tests
All applicants should submit either the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT with Writing. In addition, each undergraduate college/school has specific requirements for the SAT Subject Tests (see requirements below). It is your responsibility to make sure that you have taken the appropriate Subject Tests and have the scores officially reported to Cornell from the testing agency by the application deadline. Please note that Cornell requires students to submit all scores from tests taken and does not participate in the College Boards Score Choice.</p>
<p>“Submit all scores from tests taken”? Meaning I need to send all my ACT and SAT? </p>
<p>And in USC’s website:
USC will continue to consider each applicant’s best SAT sub-scores, even if from different sittings. However, we will not combine sub-scores from the old SAT I and the new SAT.</p>
<p>That doesn’t really answer my question…sigh. </p>
<p>As for UCs:
Report your test results.
You may self-report your SAT and/or ACT results in the application, and you also are required to submit official test scores. Please order score reports from the testing agency no later than December 2009 for fall 2010 admission. </p>
<p>Does self-report me I can choose to send in SAT OR ACT? That’s the meaning I’m getting anyway. </p>
<p>Lastly, my SAT II math is exactly 700, not higher. So I’m not sure if I need to retake.</p>
<p>For the UCs their anti-score choice policy currently goes only to the SATs and is phrased that you should not exercise score choice when sending SATs. Thus, when you order any SAT or SAT II, you must send all scores by not excercising the option to leave any out. As to ACT its rule remains same as before, you do not have to send it if you send SAT and if you do you can send only one. I am assuming that has to do with cost. It does not want to require students to pay the cost of sending multiple ACTs (which organization charges separately for each test) or to send an ACT if they are sending SAT, whereas College Board sends all SAT and SAT II scores for one fee (or free if you list college on an application for any test) and thus you must send all SAT and SAT II scores. Nevertheless in your case there is no harm in sending both SAT and ACT if you want and let them determine whether to rely on your 2100 SAT or 32 ACT since they will choose one they believe is higher.</p>
<p>Cornell’s is currently unclear about the ACT but clear on the SAT in that you must send all scores (SAT and SAT IIs). To be safe you may want to send all ACTs also.</p>
<p>Though news reports late last year said USC would be adopting an anti-score choice position, it did not do so and the College Board now lists it as a school that accepts score choice and thus you can send what you want although it recommends sending all. Note that reference to “old SAT I” is talking about SAT tests taken before the writing section was added.</p>
<p>Again on math SAT II, take it only if you actually believe you are going to do significantly better. 700 is good even for schools you list (although USC does not even require SAT IIs, it only recommends them).</p>
<p>Thanks for taking your time to answer my post. But I’m still a bit unclear. From your post, I understand that UC and Cornell is anti-score choice, requiring that I send in all of the sittings of SAT I if I choose to send in SAT I. But can I send in only SAT II and not SAT I? Ultimately, I want to send in only my ACT score and 2 SAT II scores, and none of my SAT I. Is that possible?</p>
<p>And thanks for the little reassurance on the 700. I feel less doomed about my chances with Cornell and the top UCs…</p>
<p>Pinkdove - you posted the following “Please note that Cornell requires students to submit all scores from tests taken and does not participate in the College Board’s Score Choice.”
I don’t see how Cornell could be more clear. It states that you must submit all score from all tests. That would mean all SAT I and SAT II regardless of your wanting to send only the two SAT II.</p>
<p>Drusba - About only having to submit one ACT. My understanding it that the applicant only must pay for one set of submitted ACT but is required to self-report the results of all other ACT sittings. I’m sure that there will be those who plan to “omit” the self reported results but they are risking a rejected application if caught.</p>
So I’m not sure if I need to retake.</p>