I’m a junior who just got my score back for the January SAT and the breakdown is:
CR: 690
Math: 730
Writing: 700
Essay: 10
The highest I ever did on a practice test after months of studying was a 2100, so I’m not sure if I should still try retaking it and stressing for months just to raise my score a bit.
If any of this matters rn: my GPA is 4.0 unweighted, I’m going to have taken 8 APs by the time I graduate, and I have fairly strong ECs (lots of volunteer hours and a secretary position in a summer job).
I’m planning on applying to these colleges, if that might help: UCLA, USC, UCSD, UCI, Penn State, U Pitt, Northwestern U. For most of these, it seems I’m either above or in the upper half of the SAT score range.
Congrats on your SAT results. Well done!
If you are interested in merit scholarships- given by some schools for CR+M score plus certain GPA,
or honors college - then check with admissions rep at each of the universities. Then you can see whether there are any opportunities to shoot for- some look for CR+M one sitting 1450, supposedly U Pitt, for example. Whether to take SAT again depends on your goals. Check with the universities on your list.
You should take it again because of your CR score. For elite schools, you should get 700+ in CR and Math. Writing doesn’t mean nearly as much.
My nephew’s college counselor from an elite boarding school recommends taking the SAT’s at least twice to show your willingness to work hard on improve scores. Schools are looking for students who go the extra mile and if your second SAT is worse you have nothing (but some $) to lose since you choose which scores to send.