For superscoring the new SAT, they will only take the highest sections from math and reading/writing right? I did really well on reading and math, but not so great on writing. Will I have to do as well on reading again since reading and writing is combined? I did good enough on the essay the first time, so do I have to take that again or can I just take it again with no essay and send my old score if an essay is needed? Also, any tips for improving writing score? My section score breakdown was a 38/40 math, 38/40 reading, but a 33/40 writing.
Bump… Especially need an answer for if I need to take the essay again.
That depends on the school. Some we’ve talked to say they won’t accept any score without writing/essay. Others say as long as you have one writing score. If you don’t have time to wait, take the essay. That’s the only way to cover both schools.
@Sportsman88 Is there some kind of list for this? If not, in your experience how many schools said that they wouldn’t accept a score that doesn’t include the essay and how many said you only need one writing score? I’m hesitant to do it all because I’m perfectly content with my essay score, it would be one less thing to prep for again, and almost no schools seem to require it other than HYP and some schools I’ve never heard of.
There is not a list I know but from the schools I’ve talked to, privates want it every time and publics are OK as long as you take it once. Do you have a list of target schools? Princeton wants it every time. U Penn doesn’t require it anymore.
Penn has a great discussion on its website on how a 30 minute essay is not a test of one’s writing ability and why they dropped the requirement. I hope other school’s follow that lead. The common app and school specific questions give ample opportunity to observe writing.
I wouldn’t overthink it too much because I don’t think the schools that do require it put that much stock in the score. If you prepped once and understand the rubric, you’ll probably do fine again.
@Sportsman88 Every college I’ve even thought about so far doesn’t even require it, and it looks like most don’t even want an essay either. Schools that I’ve considered so far(in the slightest) are Penn, Georgetown, CMU, Bucknell, Lehigh, Pitt, Penn State, Temple, BC, and Cornell.
@Sportsman88 Do any top undergrad business schools require it? Other than those I don’t see any other college I am interested in that might need the essay.
Well Wharton is the top and double check me but I’m pretty sure as of this year, U Penn doesn’t. I don’t know about others.
Schools post it on their admission pages online.