I posted this in the January 2016 SAT discussion and realized that it would probably be a bit more appropriate for me to start my own thread. The January 2016 SAT scores came in this morning and I am a little disappointed. This was my first time taking the SAT, ever, and I practiced fairly rigorously for a month.
My scores ended up being:
CR - 740
M - 680
W - 750 (with an 11 on the essay!)
Composite - 2170
My goal was for a composite score of at least 2100. Though I achieved that, it was without scoring at least 700 in all sections. I thought I did better in the math, but obviously I did not. I’m frustrated because if I have to retake the SAT, that means that I will have to take the new SAT which I very much did not want to do.
The schools that I am interested in include: Bowdoin, University of Virginia, Boston College, and William and Mary. The only Ivy Leagues (which I would have a difficult time gaining admission regardless) I was interested in were Brown or Dartmouth.
So my question is: for these schools, do I need to take the new SAT and improve my score?
If this is in the wrong section, I apologize dearly!
Hi,
I believe your score is pretty good. If you are applying for 2016, your March scores wouldn’t make it on time anyway. Don’t worry, scores aren’t everything. If you have a good GPA, and extracurricular activities; I believe you stand a good chance.
@isitan Thank you! I’m applying for 2017 so I have the opportunity to take both. I currently have a 4.0 GPA uw and am hoping to keep it (though pre-calc is killing me a bit!)
Then take the test again, but don’t take it unless you make sure you will do better. Again, your scores are pretty good. You stand a good chance if your GPA and extracurriculars are good.
For the new SAT math, you have to be good with basic algebra and arithmetic of fractions, decimals and negative numbers without a calculator, very wordy word problems, and Common Core statistics. There don’t seem to be those oddball conceptually challenging level 5 difficulty problems any more. If the reason you didn’t clear 700 math is you have trouble with the level 5 problems, you might like the new SAT math better. For people who are good readers, have studied the relevant areas of Common Core well, have good basic non-calculator skills, and don’t make careless reading or calculation mistakes, I think the math is much easier.
Try a complete practice test under simulated test conditions and see how you do.