I’m currently a junior and got my scores from the Oct 3 SAT yesterday, and I’m really conflicted on whether or not to retake.
My breakdown was: 800 w, 800 cr, 740 m
If I got 2340 in any other combination I probably wouldn’t retake, but it really hurts that the reason I didn’t get a perfect was because I got 2 questions wrong on math of all things. I’m currently aiming for the top schools, so a subpar math could hurt me. If I were to retake I would feel pretty confident in an 800 math, and confident in at least mid 700 in w and cr. So my question is: should I retake for the perfect superscore? Would the superscore be worth it if I did worse overall on the second test (even with an 800 math)? Would I look like a score grubber to colleges?
I apologize in advance to the various people who will be offended by my considering retaking the test with a 2300+.
you’re only a junior so you do have the time… I say only retake if you’re positive on the list of colleges you’re applying to, and check if any of those schools require that you send all scores. like I know for a fact yale doesn’t use score choice. If any of your schools are like that, I would recommend against it because you might score worse in the other sections trying to get an 800 in math. Also, if you take the sat subject test math 2 and score an 800 I don’t think you have to worry. I also got a 2340 but with a 760 in math and was pretty disappointed, but since I had that 800 on the subject test I decided it wasn’t worth it. Then again, you’re a junior, and I don’t know how much time/money you have, so it’s really your call.
another question: are you planning to major in math/science? if not, you definitely don’t have to worry about it. If you are, just follow my advice up above.
I don’t think a 740 on math vs. an 800 on math will be significant. An 800 on Math II might easily compensate. Usually a couple silly mistakes are enough to drop to a 740, but nothing else.
No way colleges reject you for a 740 Math. They know that math has a harsh curve and one or two silly mistakes cost you dearly.
On the November SAT last year, -1 in Math was a 750.
If you retook, you would look like a score grubber. Besides, why go through that process again, all the pressure to get a 800 in Math? You should be happy that you’re done with the SAT. 2340 is amazing. Absolutely no reason to retake.
No. Your score proves that you’re capable of the skills needed to get through the level of work offered at your schools of choice. That’s ALL it’s needed for.
If you are rejected, it will definitely not be because of this score. Don’t spend time that you can’t get back by trying to earn 60 points that essentially mean nothing in your case.
Your score is not “sub par.” Don’t retake. The odds of it going down are just as high as it going up. Focus on something else that might make more of a difference.
retake it. a small amount of effort and time will make an enormous difference in the quality of your future life. 60 points is enormous. i would retake every time until they get you the answers you know 100%. the 2400 you get, however, will mean nothing to these all-knowing wizard admission officers unless you meaningfully pad your resume with at least three save-the-world activities. you are competing with other children that are developing clean water systems for inferior adults in third world countries, etc. you need to constructively show the reader that you are superior in every way to almost every human on earth… tough sell but every year thousands succeed, and they achieve perfect contentment.
At the beginning of that thread, I was of the view that the difference between a 2360 and a 2400 would have zero impact on one’s chances of admission at any school. By the end, I was less sure, at least when it comes to some of the super-selective schools.
Anecdotally, my son was in a very similar situation to yours, getting a 2330 - 730 on the math, 800 on CR and writing. He didn’t consider retaking for a moment. Partly because he hated the test. Partly because he wasn’t a STEM type and was actually quite happy to get a 730 on the math. Fwiw, he got into Harvard EA and didn’t apply anywhere else.
Retaking a 2340 will make you seem desperate and very, very petty. Be proud of the score you got, save yourself/your parents sixty bucks, and do something more constructive with your life. Getting a perfect 2400 is not the magic key to getting into college.
Just take a math subject test and get an 800 if you really want to show your math skills. But I’d only advise that if you’re confident with math and/or if you want to go into an area that involves mathematics. It’s kind of risky retaking a 2340. Anyways, 2340 is already an incredibly high score and at that point colleges don’t really care if it’s a 2340 or a 2400. At that point it’s the EC’s and other things that matter.