<p>I thought I had seen a discussion about SAT scores but couldn't find what I was looking for - so if this is repetitive - sorry.<br>
Looking for advice about retaking the SATs. Son has taken it twice - first time did minor studying between AP classwork, hockey tournament, play practice, etc.<br>
Scores - R=590, M=620, W=560.<br>
Second time, we got some software, he studied more, but again was taking HS finals and AP tests.
Scores R=620, M=680, W=600. So he did improve in all categories.<br>
Are these good enuf or should he retry? He has a 3.97 GPA with many AP courses. But I keep hearing about getting over 700s.
The concern is by Oct test date, he will again be in hockey, cross-country and heavy AP courseload, etc.
It would be nice if they offered the test in Aug right before school starts. :-(</p>
<p>I'd go ahead and take it again. The SA's take the highest subscore and if he improves in any of the categories, it will only help him. And you're right. 700 seems to be the magic number for the subscores in Reading and Math. I'm not sure how much the Writing portion really counts yet. He may also want to try the ACT as many students do better on this exam.</p>
<p>Those math and reading scores are the same as mine, and I got in, if that helps. I did take the ACT too, though. Remember there are other factors, of course (region, school, ranking). Your son sounds pretty well-rounded (any school clubs/volunteering/leadership?). Good luck to your son with the admissions process!</p>
<p>From many talks with BGO's....SAT's are one of the highest considered categories for Appointments and Nominations....so yeah, I'd weigh in with having your child try again....</p>
<p>OK - thanks for the responses. He took the June ACT and is waiting for those scores - so let me ask this - if he does better on the ACT, will high scores on that preclude the need to get better scores on the SAT? He has a fair number of ECs, sports, community service, etc, and will have more leadership activites during senior year.</p>
<p>I will be taking the SAT I for the 5th time when I go to college. I have to send my SAT scores to the 3 academies again, so why pay $30 and have my old scores sent when I can just pay $40, retake the whole thing, and get the scores sent to them all for free? plus imma meet some high school hotties.</p>
<p>A thing about SAT's</p>
<p>No matter how high you get, they will never get you into a school single-handedly,
but they will certainly keep you out.</p>
<p>I bet I did worse than everyone in this forum, but the beauty of the Service Academies is the need geographic distribution (I'm from RI), and the well-roundedness of the students. Luckily, I can run fast.</p>
<p>My last question may have gotten lost - so I'll ask again.<br>
Is the ACT as well received as the SAT?</p>
<p>both are equally accepted.</p>
<p>They do not need to be super.</p>
<p>ECA'S, class rank, and gpa are larger factors from what i've heard.</p>