<p>I took the SAT only once last May as a junior and scored a 1970. I typically don't score very high on these tests- 1st PSAT was 1700, second was 1780. I took a Kaplan class to prepare for SAT and practice scores ranged from 1810 to a high of 2030. I don't think I can score appreciably higher that my actual score of 1970 and am afraid that my score will actually go down. I have a weighted GPA of 4.1 and plan to apply to UCSB, UCI, UCSD, and USC. I don't really want to study and stress to try to go up 40-100 points. Should I go for it or let it ride?</p>
<p>You should at least get it to 2100 (especially for UC San Diego and quite possibly USC if you are applying for its undergrad business school)</p>
<p>It does not sound like you will significantly improve your score if you take the SAT again, especially since you clearly see it as something you do not want to do, so if you can be happy with UCI or UCSB I would say why take it again when the pain is likely to result in little or no gain.</p>
<p>A majority of SAT I Reasoning courses, especially Kaplan’s, are entirely useless. The fastest, most prodigious method of improving one’s SAT I scores is to embark on a path of self-studying. The titular Blue Book, Xiggi’s method, Gruber’s mathematics compendium, and Dr. Silverturtle’s enchiridion (for reasons of silverturtle supremacy, please take a gander at my verbose ostentation: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/980418-why-dr-silverturtles-guide-supreme.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/980418-why-dr-silverturtles-guide-supreme.html</a>) are all that is required for an average student to raise his or her score to atleast 2100.</p>