Should I re-take the SAT?

Test Preparation
1

Hello there fellow CC’ers,

The October 1st SAT results just came out and I scored a 1490(M-790, E-700). This is the second time I’m taking the exam; I scored a 1460 the first time. (M-730, E-730)

I was wondering if you guys think it’s worth re-taking the text. The first time, I put almost no preparation in. The second time, I took the 6 tests that College board released, that’s it.

First attempt: Reading-38/40, Writing-35/40, Math- 36.5/40
Second attempt: Reading- 37/40, Writing- 33/40, Math-39.5/40

I’ve applied (or am applying) to the following universities:

  1. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
  2. University of Alabama
  3. Texas A&M university
  4. San Jose State University
  5. Buffalo, SUNY
  6. Iowa State
  7. University of South Florida
  8. University of Northern Arizona
  9. Michigan State
  10. USC
  11. University of Cincinnati
  12. UT, Dallas.
  13. Auburn(probably)

I listed out the universities so that you can better judge if I should retake the test.

2

Are you planning to major in science or engineering? With a 790 score in Math, you should easily be able to score an 800 on Math Level 2 after doing some studying.

Unfortunately, the late registration deadline for November has passed already, so you’ll have to choose between the SAT and the SAT Subject Tests in December.

3

I’m sorry. I forgot to mention that I plan on majoring in Computer Science and am an International applicant.

4

@reformationday Thank you. Most universities that I’m applying to don’t require the SAT subjects. So, if I do take a test in December, I’d prefer the SAT over the SAT subjects.

5

Hell no you shouldn’t retake it, unless you think you may get some merit money with a 1500+ that you wouldn’t get with a 1490. You should very easily get into all of those schools with a 1490.

6

@pcwizkid143 not sure about the others but UT Dallas super scores so if you send them scores from both dates you’ll have a 1520 and a good shot at a full tuition scholarship:-)

7

@johncocktoasten I need a lot of merit money but I’m not sure if any increase in the score now would help with that.

@3scoutsmom I didn’t know that. Thanks. I’ll look into it.

8

It’s very impressive that you got a 1490 without having spent a lot of time prepping. Without more information, it’s hard to say whether taking the test again would help you more than focusing on application essays or Subject Tests would.

If you do decide to take it again for some reason, check out Erica Meltzer’s book The Critical Reader for SAT Reading and the Web site No Red Ink for SAT Writing. A 1550 would put you at the 99th percentile.

9

@reformationday I’ve decided against taking the test. Thank you. :slight_smile: