-So I currently have a 1540 (first try)
-I feel like it would be better for me to have a 1570-80 because I want to apply to some pretty selective schools (Brown, for example)
-If I retook it, it would be either in August or early fall
-Not really sure if I want to study again. Also, the first time I took it was in December, so it’s been a while. I have probably forgotten a large amount of what I studied.
what looks better, a 1540 on the first try or a potential 1580 on a 2nd try? (that’s a very big maybe right there, I’m really not sure if I can pull a 1580).
Yup, that a very big if
Call it a day and put your focus on other parts of your application - like your essays. The difference between a 1540 and your very hypothetical 1580 will not be the tipping point in the colleges’ decisions.
I agree. Furthermore, there is evidence that shows that at least 40% of the time, those achieving a high score first time are likely to score lower on subsequent tests. Not worth it, especially for a selective school that requires all tests.
Yep particularly you see kids who score over 1500 not doing as well the second time. Could be a psychological effect of already knowing that you have a good score in the bank and not trying as hard even though you think you are. Also could be the fact that the difference in those scores may just be one or two questions and this time you may not know the answer.