<p>My son has taken the SAT once, at the end of his junior year. He got 800 V, 800 CR, 670 M. This is a low math score for him, he got an 800 on the SAT II Math IIc, and a 5 on the AP Calc AB test. He has a high GPA at a competitive school, strong ECs, and is a varsity athlete. He will be applying to schools like Williams, Amherst, Dartmouth. The question is, should he retake the SAT to improve the math score, or assume the colleges will look at the SAT II and AP math scores and realize he is a strong math student. The reasoning behind not retaking is the high probability of scoring lower on the V and CR sections. We know the colleges say they will count the highest scores from each SAT test taken, but since they see all the scores, won't a reatke "cheapen" the existing results? Thanks for your opinions.</p>
<p>If he REALLY feels it is necessary to boost his math score then he should, but scoring less than an 800 will not "cheapen" his current results - it is just a part of how these tests work. I think it is sad if you think you need to bump a 2270, but that's just me. I would be jumping up and down. It also depends on what he wants to major in (they won't care if he wants to be a Classics major).</p>
<p>He should retake. Dartmouth probably won't be considering writing this year so he's at 1470, which is 10 points below last year's average.</p>
<p>I doubt being 10 points below the OVERALL median is going to kill an otherwise qualified applicant's chances. However, being significantly below the MATH median might be an issue. The numbers I have for math ranges (25-75 percentiles) at Williams: 660-750, at Amherst 660-770. So, he is definitely below the 50th percentile on his math score. It might also help him decide whether to retake if he knows that 60% or more of the accepted students at the schools you mentioned score above 700 on the math portion. However, his 800 on the SAT II math test MAY overcome the lower math score somewhat. And, he is significantly above the midpoint for verbal.</p>
<p>Did he only sit for the test once? Or is the 670 the best of more than one sitting? Would he be willing/able to spend some time prepping before he retakes it? Is he hoping to major in a math/science related subject? </p>
<p>My take: If he's deadset against retaking it and won't prep for the math, or this is the best score of more than one sitting, make sure he understands the implications and has GOOD safeties on his list, just in case. Then, let it go.</p>
<p>I'd go with a retake. His scores (which are very good, by the way, in the "real world" :)) won't keep him out of these schools; however, since he seems to have the ability to do better on math and has only tried once, he may as well give it another go. </p>
<p>You could try asking the individual schools how they view retakes. Some do just take the best of, but few publicize this policy.</p>
<p>Carolyn, I respect your advice, so I'm surprised here. Our college counselors tell us that we absolutely need to be above the average at any ivy or otherwise top school, absent a major hook, to be a serious applicant. There are so many hooked candidates below the average: athletes, URMs, development....that everyone else need to bring up the numbers. What's your reasoning?</p>
<p>Suze, I just revised my post to reflect some info. on the math medians -- please re-read it. Ideally, yes, he should retake it, concentrating on bringing up his math scores. But, as we both know, sometimes kids can't be pushed to do what they ideally should. I obviously don't know the OP's son, but if it were my child and they were being stubborn about retaking it, I'd make sure they knew the possible consequence (a weaker application), had good matches and safeties on their list, and let it go. But, as I said, ideally, yes, he should give it another shot. However, it won't be the end of the world if he doesn't.</p>
<p>The reasoning behind not retaking is the high probability of scoring lower on the V and CR sections. We know the colleges say they will count the highest scores from each SAT test taken, but since they see all the scores, won't a reatke "cheapen" the existing results?>></p>
<p>I doubt an 800 is going to be "cheapened" if his verbal/writing go down a bit the next time. And, in some admissions offices, the admissions people will ONLY see the "best" scores on his file anyhow once it has gone through the initial screening.</p>
<p>Re-taking is absolutely the way to go in this case. All his other scores are keepers, and those are the ones schools will see---they will take the best scores. It seems extremely likely that the math will go up, and that's the one he should focus on...taking a bunch of practice math SAT tests beforehand (the SAT I may have tripped him up because its almost too easy for him). If the math goes up, his SAT profile will be truly stellar, putting him in a good position for the schools you mentioned.</p>
<p>"Our college counselors tell us that we absolutely need to be above the average at any ivy or otherwise top school, absent a major hook, to be a serious applicant."</p>
<p>Suze, you go to the best prep school in the country! If anyone in the admissions process should be held to a higher standard, its the kids who attend pricey private schools and have had every advantage. The SATs are designed to measure achievement AGAINST what opportunities you have been offered. </p>
<p>As soon as the admissions officer sees that you go to Andover (or wherever) he's going to be expecting alot, including amazing SAT scores. While your guidance counselors advice is certainly true for your school, it may not pertain as much to an average public school.</p>
<p>I agree he should retake. It does not cheapen his other scores; they will be the ones the college will consider. But the 670 M is really low for the kind of profile he wants to present and is capable of presenting. Just focus on the Math section, make sure not to make silly errors (which is probably what happened). There is every likelihood he will do well on the Math, and will go from an excellent to a stellar applicant.</p>
<p>That one ought to be one of the easiest SAT retake questions ever ... and the answer is YES, he should take it again. </p>
<p>There is no downfall possible here. We know that no school will ever UPGRADE a score based on other scores and won't issue a brownie for a single sitting. </p>
<p>For an effort of 4 hours, your son could avoid himself and his family a LOT of second-guessing in a few months. The SAT scores have been rising fast - some schools have reported increases of more than ... 100 points from the class of 2008 to 2009. </p>
<p>Your son has a REAL chance to hit one out of the ballpark, and the SAT Math is nothing more than a really slow pitch that is begging for a good swing. </p>
<p>PS Please consider that a high score on the AP Calc or SAT-II does not automatically translates into a high SAT math. They are different beasts. It should not be hard to raise the score, but some attention to the test itself will be warranted. Its simplicity has been known to humble the best of us! :)</p>
<p>No matter where you go to high school, if you're white or Asian, and not inner city poor, you want to be above average by every measure.</p>
<p>I'm a bit surprised that someone hasn't suggested what is, to me, the obvious. Don't retake the SAT, but take the ACT. He actually may do significantly better on this test.</p>
<p>I don't think the ACT seems necessary here because of this student's phenomenal success on all other SAT type tests,-- the Math portion just seems like an anomoly. I would be willing to bet some of my own money that the Math SAT will jump right up. In any case, the student can guage that by taking some of the Real SAT I Math sections.</p>
<p>Agree with Donemom. The only thing the student needs to concentrate on is the Math section of the SAT.</p>
<p>I have to agree that it would be best for the OP's son to retake the test. Based on his other scores, the SAT I math score seems like , as Donemom said, an anomoly. However, (if he does decide to retake) make sure that he does not go in to the test room completely cold. Even if he has had awesome results on other math tests, he still need to do a bit of practice with the Blue book/10RS to get a feel for SAT-type questions. Otherwise, he may end up over-thinking questions or falling for the "Joe Bloggs" answers.</p>
<p>Definitely retake as math is the easiest score to bring up and will most certainly increase. After all his work what do you have to loose except one morning. He probably will get into some of these schools with his current scores but why not increase his chances and options. My kids needed convincing to take their tests over and it ALWAYS payed off. They even thanked me later for pushing the issue.</p>
<p>Do NOT take the ACT. Nuff said.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the great advice. As a new parent to this site I really appreciate your thoughts. Seems like there is a clear consensus to retake; your opinions will help make the sale. An interesting element to the debate is that my son is done with any "mandatory" SAT tests ( he also has an 800 Biology SAT II and a 770 History) and we have already sent his test scores to every school he is even thinking about applying to. So a retake of the SAT I could essentially be a free option for a higher math score. If he does better, we can send on the scores, if not, the colleges will never see them. Does that make sense?</p>