Should I Retake the SAT (for the 4th Time)?

Test Preparation
1

Alright, so, I am unsatisfied with my SAT scores but I also do not want to fling myself in the stress and fire of training for another attempt. Here is my score distribution in the past:

08/26/2017: 1460 (Math: 760, English: 700, Essay: 20/24)
10/07/2017: 1480 (Math: 790, English: 690, Essay: 21/24)
12/02/2017: 1480 (Math: 800, English: 680, Essay: 16/24)

Superscore as of Now: 1500 (Math: 800, English: 700, Essay: 21/24)

I want to stand a chance to high tier schools such as Tufts and UC Berkeley, but I AM SEVERELY Exhausted for prepping for this FOR OVER 5 MONTHS LAST YEAR.

Should I retake this August 2018?
Is it possible my score will be any different or should I not retake and save myself the stress?

2

It looks to me like you have prepared well and done your best. I would not retake for a fourth time. I think your time and energy would be better used elsewhere.

3

UCB is more GPA focused vs. test score focused so I agree with @happy1, use your time crafting some great essays instead.

4

Agreed. Don’t bother. taking it again. Focus on the rest of your application. (This is a perfectly acceptable score and you should be proud!)

5

You have worked very hard and have very solid scores. I’d move on, and invest my time and effort on other things.

6

Thank you all for helping. I considered retaking because a few students with GPA’s 0.2 below mine had an SAT score exceeding mine by 20 points.

7

@TheSkeptic888 Have you tried the ACT? My daughter prepped for the SAT and her scores did not change much. She did much better on the ACT with the same level of prep.

8

I have considered it but I’m approaching my senior year this summer. I have AP summer assignments, college visits, a Common Application to write and submit by Early Action Deadline, and a wedding in August.

The thing is, do I really have enough time to ditch one test and gear up for a different one? Wouldn’t it take more adjusting to get into ACT mode, not SAT?

9

I agree with other comments. I don’t see any reason to take it again. You scores have been consistent and very good (particularly if you are interested in anything STEM, since your math is so good).

I think that you should focus on other work. With university applications coming up plus AP summer assignments, you have lots of other things to keep you busy.

10

We tend to get caught up on the number and fail to realize the percentile range and raw scores the numbers represent. Your scores are all essentially the same. If you look at the raw scores on math, you probably missed a single question on the whole thing, each time you took it. The number varies depending on how the rest of your cohort did. A 1480 is 98.6th percentile. There’s very little upside to taking it again. Schools know that. Be happy and move on.

I would not take the ACT. It’s a VERY different test, all about speed. You’d have to score remarkably high on your first attempt to improve over your SAT. It requires a different prep. If you’re curious, there are online diagnostics that will test a bit of each and tell you which you’re better at.

Good luck!

11

Do not continue testing for the SAT, or take the ACT. Great job. As others have said it is time to focus on other areas of your application. Have you taken Subject Tests? These are the only tests you should be considering at this point if you can manage the stress.

12

Yes, I have taken 3 subject tests already. This is why I have August available and designated whether or not I choose to take the SAT or not.

13

Thank you everyone for the feedback… but with this current superscore, do I stand a sizable chance to schools such as UCBerkeley, Tufts, Cornell, or Columbia?

I am in the top 6% ranking in my school, I am part of a business magnet program, my school’s GPA system (out of 4.60) says I am at 4.66/4.60 (weighted).

14

Yes you have a chance at your top choices. Your score is in the ballpark.