<p>Hey Everybody!
I really need an honest opinion on this one.
I took my 1st SAT in May 2013
and then re-took it in October 2013.</p>
<p>Here are my scores:
May (1880) ---> CR:570 - M:650 - W: 660
October (1910) --> CR:660 - M:620 - W: 630</p>
<p>I'm in my senior year, and I'm applying to selective schools and programs. I'm really disheartened from the 2nd SAT score that I just got, and can't seem to make up my mind. </p>
<p>Do you think I should re-take my SAT this January? Or should I just stop dreaming about these schools? </p>
<p>Would retaking it again have a negative impact on my application?
If you think I should, could I please get a few tips on how to get a better score?</p>
<p>I'd be more than grateful if you could give your suggestions on this one! :)
Thanks!</p>
<p>PS: The schools that I'm applying to are:
Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Tufts (BS-DMD Program), UConn (BS-DMD Program), Duke, Barnard, Smith, Lehigh-Upenn(BS-DMD Program) and a few safeties...</p>
<p>Did you do something between the 2 attempts? You should have done some practice. If you did and you still have minimal improvement, it may indicate you have already reached a plateau. Just retaking the test (particularly the 3rd times) would not give you a boost in score. So the real question is can you get a better score instead of should you retake SAT.</p>
<p>This time, I just focused on taking more practice tests at home. Did around 10 of those. And started preparing a month before.</p>
<p>I couldn’t prepare that well between these two tests because I had been really sick and had to fly out of the country for my treatment etc.</p>
<p>I think I can do better if I push myself a bit.
The real set-back for me were my Math and Writing scores. I managed to get a 750+ for both these sections on my practice tests at home.</p>
<p>PS: I really appreciate your response! You have no idea how grateful I am!</p>
<p>After you take the practice tests, do you review each and every problem. You should try to review so well that you could get a perfect score if you took that exact test again soon. Are there certain types of problems you consistently get wrong. Have you identified those and brushed up on the related topics. If you were doing all this you were probably prepared to maximize your score. If not, make your studying more efficient and increase your score. :)</p>
<p>CHD2013: I just discussed your suggestion with my mom too. We both think, that’s where I lacked.
I focused a bit too much on building my stamina to sit for a 4hour test.
I guess, I didn’t pay much attention to the mistakes I had been making. Obviously I did check them and read the explanation they have at the end, but I didn’t focus it as much as I should have.</p>
<p>I really like the point you made there. That’s exactly where I lacked.
Thank you so much!!</p>
<p>Btw, have you taken the SAT? If yes, what study material did you use? What strategies did you follow? And, for how long did you prepare?</p>
<p>I desperately need to get at least a 2200+. And besides, I don’t want to disappoint my parents again with a low score. :|</p>
<p>In addition, you might also want to mention in your college application essays that you had been really sick and had to fly out of the country for treatment. That might help a bit.</p>
<p>Congrats on your son’s score! What schools does he plan on applying to?</p>
<p>Yeah, I just discussed this with my guidance counsellor today. She said she’ll mention my health condition and what I had been going through, as a side note in my application. And she’ll mention this in her recs too.</p>
<p>As far as my essay is concerned, it’s kind of about how my disease was a positive thing for me and helped me mature in ways I wouldn’t have otherwise. </p>
<p>Thanks a lot for your opinion though! And best of luck to your son! :)</p>