Should I send both of my SAT I scores?

Test Preparation
1

The first time I took the SAT, I got an 1880 (630CR, 660M, 590W) in November of 2014. However, I wasn’t feeling very well on the test day and knew I could do significantly better if I took it again. I didn’t get around to taking it again until this December, where I scored a 2130 (620CR, 780M, 730W) with only about 3 practice tests of preparation.

My question is, since my critical reading went down 10 points, should I send both scores to the colleges who “only consider the top score from each section” or for that insignificant of a decrease, should I just send the 2130 so the colleges don’t see the 1880?

I’m applying to Cornell, Princeton, and UPenn, Syracuse, and Tufts, which require that all scores be sent, but also Northeastern, RPI, Binghamton, Stony Brook, and U of Rochester, where they claim to consider the highest score from each section. I’m not sure if these schools would see a 250 point improvement as a good thing, or if they’d look down upon the 1880.

And for a little more about myself if it helps at all, my ACT is a 32C (34 superscore, 36E, 35M, 32R, and 34S), and I’m looking to major in engineering.

2

I think if they say they’ll consider the highest score from each section, then they probably will. These schools know that a lot depends on the day etc. and so they’ll see your higher scores as more reflective of what you’re capable of.

That said, a 10 point increase is statistically insignificant. I don’t think you’ll go wrong either way. It’s not going to make a big difference.

Best of luck xx

3

Send them both. If anything they’ll view highly of you for having such a significant improvement. It’ll benefit you to send both anyway because of the superscoring.