Should I just focus on math and writing?

Test Preparation
1

<p>I'm taking the SATs in March, then again in June. I think if I study enough I can get 800s in math and writing. But my time is limited, so I can't put the right amount of time into studying for math and writing, while also studying reading. So, should I just focus on getting 800s in math and writing this time, then focus only on reading for the June one? If I were to do this, I think these would be my scores:
March:
R-650
M-800
W-800
June:
R-800
M-750
W-700
Both times I would get a 2250 (give or take) but my cumulative score would be a 2400. If I did it the other way I would probably end up with a 2300 as my highest score, which would also be my cumulative score. Do most colleges look at the highest score? Or do most look at the cumulative score? Is there a way I can find out which colleges look at which score? What do you think I should do?</p>

2

<p>Well, most schools superscore (take highest scores from multiple test dates). Do the prep that you think is best, but to be frank, although people on and off CC have done it, I wouldn't be so confident about scoring an 800 on each section. It's not that likely...not saying you can't do it, just saying don't be too cocky! I say prep to the best of your ability, take it in March, and see what you get--don't be overly concerned with strategy.</p>

3

<p>Try taking the ACT- it might suit you better. My D took both SAT and ACT, but didn't take ACT until June of her junior year. She really only took it as a whim since at the time of testing she was done with her SATI and SATII testing. She scored a little higher on the ACT, maybe 60 points total, but wished she had taken it sooner since most colleges accept the ACT with writing in lieu of the SATI and SATII subject tests. D could have avoided a lot of SATII sittings that way. She also liked the fact that with the ACT, you can choose which testing date to send to colleges. With the SAT every testing date is sent on one score report. By the way, she was accepted EA to Yale.</p>

4

<p>I don't think you should take it a third time. If I was an admissions counselor and I saw a student take the test 3 times and get nearly identical scores on each, it wouldn't look as good as one who took the test only once. Plus like stated above, some schools take your highest score in each section, in which case, you're fine.</p>