Should i retake the sat? Or perhaps try the act?

Test Preparation
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<p>I just recieved my sat scores:</p>

<p>800 writing
730 critical reading
660 math</p>

<p>Will colleges care about an 800 on writing? Does that even mean anything to them? Would it be crazy to retake a 2190? Would this score translate to a high sat score? Im just not sure what to do. Idk why colleges would ignore writing, im sure ill do a lot of it in college.</p>

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<p>I’m sorry I don’t have an accurate answer for you, but I too am interested to see about the writing section as I am in the same boat as you. I don’t think colleges would see the writing score as entirely obsolete though, I mean logically it just does not make sense. With colleges weighing the application essay so hugely, and stressing the importance of adequate, solid writing skills in college, why would they choose to ignore the SAT writing score? It just does not make sense…</p>

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<p>Yeah, it’s one of the stupidest things ive observed in the college app process. The act english is looked at by colleges, and its pretty similar. I also read that the writing section has a higher corrleation with freshamn gpa than either reading or math. I think colleges might just be too obstinate to change from the old 1600 test, which is really stupid because critical reading isnt the same thing as the old verbal section.</p>

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<p>Oh, and in my original post i meant would those sat scores translate to a high act score</p>

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<p>I got that from About.com so not sure how reliable it is, but I can’t seem to find much more reliable info on how colleges weigh the writing section. I would think that it would be true that in 2005, colleges probably still tended to weigh CR and M much more, but now that is is 6 years later… I would think that research would lead them to weight the writing with equal importance… Also just a little side note, I looked up some of the top schools average writing SAT scores and they all seem to be in the upper 600s - 700s range, so it would seem that they would be important… </p>

<p>Also, if you are going for like an engineering major or something, then your math score is probably going to be important over writing… But who knows…</p>

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<p>Oh just looked it up! A 2190 SAT score translates to a 32/33 ACT score.</p>

<p>IMO I would only take the SAT again if you are applying to very competitive schools AND you studied a lot for your first test. If you went in without any studying, then it would definitely be worth it to do some hardcore studying and then go take it again. If you studied a lot though, then I would say don’t retake.</p>

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<p>So i can assume that my 800 writing will make a significant difference in the application process?</p>

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<p>I’m not sure about a “significant” difference, but it should sure help! I mean think of it this way… What if you scored like 300 - 400 on the writing section… Wouldn’t look too good would it? Scoring an 800 shows mastery of the subject, and its above the mid-range sat scores for many top universities. I’d say don’t waste your time retaking and try to now focus on improving another section of your application… A 2190 is an excellent score.</p>

<p>I also just read on collegeboard that some universities use the SAT essay for placement and admission… Not sure if these universities seriously do read the SAT essay, but it at least shows that they are giving weight to the writing section of the test.</p>