<p>My question is, should I retake it just to boost the writing section up? I plan to be applying to some very competitive colleges (Ivy, Top LACs) and my extrracurriculars arent exactly amazing, so I need to do the best I can on these SATs. </p>
<p>I think I should be able to raise the score at least a few points, considering I prepared for this test in just the 3 days before it took place, with 12 hour jetlag (Fall Break in China) </p>
<p>you really dont have to. 70 points on writing is not going to determine whether you get into a school or not. focus more on sr year grades and essays. but if you just feel like getting that perfect score for self-satisfaction, go for it</p>
<p>congrats on your score. Finally someone who is making sense about a high score. I like how you're modest and arent like omg should i retake i did terrible 2300+ like everyone else. Anyway, you have a 1600 CR/M and while a 2400 would be really cool, it probably wouldn't help for admissions as much as an excellent essay. Besides i believe i read somewhere that harvard rejects 1/4 of those with a perect sat score. So i would spend the time on writting an essay.</p>
<p>If you're a junior, you might want to take the test again as a senior - I heard that colleges don't like it if students don't take the SATs senior year. However, I heard that they also don't like to see students who appear to be trying too hard to achieve a perfect score, since it looks like they care too much about a number, when they could be doing better things with their time.</p>
<p>To add to what sharpielove said, take it again...when you are a senior. That way, you don't seem like the type to obsses about the perfect score, while taking it twice just for good measure. Also, you can have a good year to prepare for the writing/ do whatever you need to do to improve it (tutor, ask teacher for help, etc.). Good luck.</p>
<p>This is obviously your decision and I don't think there is a right answer. I do agree that if you're going to retake it, don't do it now; give it some time to percolate in your mind.</p>
<p>It is definitely more important to worry about performance in school and extracurriculars (as well as essays when the time comes). Do you think colleges can tell more about your personality, passions, and drive to learn by looking at a test score or by examining a combination of school performance over time, extracurriculars that you have committed to, leadership positions that you have obtained, and recommendations from teachers? It's good that it's still early and you have time to focus on these aspects.</p>
<p>I believe that your current score is excellent by all standards. I do not think that improvement of your writing score (which is already above 700) will significantly alter your chances of admittance, if at all. Again, other factors are more important. I won't tell you it's stupid to retake it, because I can understand if you believe you can do better and are striving for the best, but it is my opinion that there will be little difference to colleges.</p>
<p>i agree; i doubt those 70 pts will make any difference in terms of your chances</p>
<p>check out collegedata.com, which uses the profiles of actual students to figure out your chances at colleges (or at least an idea of your chances); if changed my score of 2270 to 2400, and there was almost no difference in my chances</p>
<p>Hmm thanks. I heard that the writing section would actually start counting next year so I think I will take it again. But should I take it soon (December/January) or wait till October? I don't really want to study over the course of a year because I will have to redo all the preparations (I do better cramming) but it sounds like colleges want you to take it senior year? =/</p>
<p>Many Colleges Ignoring SAT Writing Scores
While a 60-minute Writing section is now integrated into the SAT, not all colleges have yet begun to evaluate applicants' Writing scores. Instead, many colleges are looking at only Reading and Math scores, which gives them results very similar to those of the pre-2005 "old" SAT.</p>