<p>He received a 660 in math the first time, and raised it this time to a 700, but with absolutely no studying.</p>
<p>I can't help but thinking that with some serious studying, that he might raise it to let's say, a 720 or a 730 (after all, that's probably just one or two extra correct answers on the exam).</p>
<p>With these high SAT scores, he will no doubt be applying to some top schools. Would getting a 720 or a 730, or even a 750, make much of a difference. Given the low acceptance rates at these schools, my gut feeling is that every little bit helps. The idea would be to superscore, so he would literally take a zero the next time on the two subjects he got 800s in. </p>
<p>If it were you, and you were shooting high, what would you do? </p>
<p>And a second question is how late could he take the SAT this year, where his scores would get there in time. It is my feeling that taking the exam in October might be too soon if he were to engage in serious study.</p>
<p>Well, taking it after OCtober will be pushing it a lot, because if he takes it in November he will barely get his scores by the deadline.</p>
<p>How many times has he taken it? Twice?
I think that if you really want, it would be ok to take it again, but honestly a 2300 is DAMN good. It isn’t likely that he will recieve 800s again, because the SAT is really hit or miss sometimes which is why they give you a range score as well as your actual score.</p>
<p>A lot of colleges do superscore. So, if he got say, a 770 and 780 on CR and W, and then a 730 on Math this time, they could superscore it to a 800, 800, 730.</p>
<p>But how much do you believe that 30 points will make a difference? It’s your choice, but don’t take it after October.</p>
<p>Personally, unless he is applying to MIT or Caltech for engineering for which the math score is likely too low, I would not take it again. Does he really want to do it again? As to when he can take it be aware that for regular admission almost all colleges accept SAT tests throught the Dec test date and many even accept the Jan test date.</p>
<p>The difference between a 700 and an 800 on math is only 4 or 5 questions. I wouldn’t take it again. Maybe try the ACT as well, just for the heck of it?</p>
<p>^ He acknowledges they are good scores. He is simply wondering if it is worth it to take it again to try to improve his math score. I’d say if he wants to take it again and if he studies. I would not suggest taking more than 3 times.</p>
<p>A 2300 is in the top 7000 scorers in the world</p>
<p>Taking it again and assuming he goes up 20 points he’d be in the top 5000.</p>
<p>That’s a distinction w/o a difference.</p>
<p>If he’s primarily interested in math classes at college or wants to attend MIT or Caltech it might be worthwhile . . . otherwise he already has scores that are good enough to get consideration by ANY top school.</p>
<p>By that I mean he will get into schools - or not - because of things other than SAT scores, so you might be sweating an insignificant datum.</p>
<p>With those scores, unless he is applying to Cal Tech or MIT, I think he’s in the territory of diminishing returns. Coming up from a 660 to a 700 makes a difference. Going from a 700 to a 720 isn’t going to matter, I’d bet.</p>
<p>How did he do on the SATIIs? Getting a couple of great scores there might do him more good and be a better use of his time. </p>
<p>My S scored 800CR, 780W, 720M the first time he took the SAT with no prep. He was displeased with his math score and insisted on taking them again–he got an 80 on the math PSAT section and thought he could do better–but yet again, did no prep. His CR remained at 800, his math came up 10 points to 730, and his writing score went down 10 points or so. (I don’t recall exactly.) IMHO, it was a waste of money, although not of time, since he didn’t put any time into it! If your S has taken it twice without prepping, there is no reason to assume that he will do so this time.</p>
<p>I don’t think these scores are keeping your son out of any college in the US. If it were my child, I wouldn’t have him take it again. If you only expect to gain about 20 points or so in math, the overall composite may very well go down (i.e., there’s often a luck factor in getting an 800 and either of those scores could go down – they certainly won’t go up). Though many schools say they superscore, my feel is that they at least look at any data they get.</p>
<p>btw, I had a similar situation with one of kids – no retake there.</p>
<p>Otherwise, he might want to take the ACT. (no need to send it unless it’s equivalent or higher than this score) – though with a 2200, I’m not sure I’d bother.</p>
<p>He’s competitive anywhere – especially if he has taken Math Level II and/or AP Calc and done well. If Caltech, Mudd and MIT are on his list, it <em>might</em> be worth a third try.</p>
<p>S2 took the SAT twice – 2200 (710 CR, 700 M, 790 W – 74 MC/12E) the first time. Decided to retake to raise his CR (he had an 80 on the PSAT CR, so he knew he was capable of improving that score). His goal was to get 700 in math, and he was THRILLED to have done so. Said if his Writing and CR scores had been reversed, he would have been one-and-done. </p>
<p>Second try was 2290 in June of junior year – 740 CR, 760 M, 790 W – 80 MC/8E. Did no additional prep – was too busy with AP and IB exams. When one gets to the upper tier of scores, the odds that one’s score will go DOWN on a subsequent test are generally higher than the chances they’ll go up.</p>
<p>There was no third round, though there are those on CC who would complain that a 2290 is “too low.” Not at our house. We took him out to dinner to celebrate.</p>
<p>I concur with those that say to not take it again. Last year, a poster was boasting how he got a 2380 the first time and how self-impressed he was to retake and get a 2400. By the tone and type of his posts, he definitely came off as “hey, look at me”.</p>
<p>I’m glad my alma mater turned him down. He’s not the kinda guy I would’ve wanted to have across the table at Breakfast, you know.</p>
<p>I haven’t looked at the charts lately, but I think 700 in math is above the 25th percentile for every non-technical school in the US. Given the double 800s, I think he’ll be fine.</p>
<p>OP, your S will get more admissions bang for his buck if he invests the time in his essays. That’s going to be a bigger factor for tippy-tops and highly selective schools. </p>
<p>If you take a look at the RD admissions threads for last year in the CC forums for any highly selective school, you’ll see the stats of those accepted and those rejected. It’s clear that SAT scores aren’t the final determining factor. </p>
<p>The only place where I can think of the difference between a 700 and a 750 making a difference might be for merit money. You’ll want to ask on the CC school forums to find out if a school might really award (more) merit money for a CR+M of 1550 instead of a “mere” 1500.</p>
<p>From what you’ve said it appears that your son is “well-lopsided.” If he communicates this to the colleges (via his essays, transcript, etc.) he should be just fine. My advice to your son would be not to worry about retaking the test, thus avoiding the added stress and early-morning weekend wakeup, and allowing him to relax and sleep in.</p>
If your S has taken it twice without prepping, there is no reason to assume that he will do so this time.</p>