<p>I'm a rising senior in high school. I took the SAT first in May of my sophomore year just to see where I was and got an 1890, then again in November of my junior year and got a 2160. I'm content with my math/writing scores (M:740/W:730) but not so much with critical reading (690). I've heard it's not a good idea to take the SAT more than twice, but I want to apply to highly competitive schools. I have a rigorous class schedule and a good GPA, but I want to get a better score on critical reading. </p>
<p>If I don't retake it, will colleges think that I just didn't care to improve even though I had so much time left?
Or do you think that a solid SAT II score in literature would compensate a little bit for the critical reading section? </p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>What highly competitive colleges do you want to apply to? That makes a load of difference. As well as how much you think you can improve. If you retake it and get a 2170 that won’t look very good (it will look like you hit your “ceiling”), but if you get a 2300 it really will look like you had a desire to improve. </p>
<p>And Lit is thought to be the hardest SAT II, with many 800 CR scorers getting mid/low 700’s. The percentiles are almost the same as the SAT I CR, and only serious Lit. students generally take the test. </p>
<p>If you already got a 730+ on Lit yes it will compensate. 3 times is not too many IF you show consistent improvement.</p>
<p>Cornell, Rice, Johns Hopkins, University of Richmond, and William & Mary are my top choices so far if that changes anything. </p>
<p>Thank you for your help!</p>