Taking SAT four Times

<p>Hi, i'm a junior who is planning to apply to JHU as early decision and my greatest concern is if i should take SAT on october </p>

<p>my december 2006 SAT score was CR:570, M:660, W:570
Jan 2007 SAT was CR: 650, M:640, W:570
and lastly my may score was CR: 650, M: 720, W:670.
I know that my score is very low to apply to JHU so I was planning to study hard during summer vacation and take SAT on october<br>
but it's my fourth time taking it. </p>

<p>So plz give some advice or suggestions about taking SAT for four times
thanks</p>

<p>You will probably receive a number of responses from people on these boards telling you that you should absolutely not take the SATs a 4th time and that you will be automatically denied if you do so. </p>

<p>Don't listen to them - it is not true. </p>

<p>At Hopkins we do not state a specific preference or restriction on the number of times a student may take the SAT (or ACT for that matter). The reason for this is that each student is looked at differently. Some applicants score best one time, others need to take it two or three times, and even some more need to take it more than three times. It all depends, and the Admissions Committee understands that. In my years, I have definitely admitted students who have taken the SAT more than three times. </p>

<p>That's the official answer -- now for some advice. If you really feel that the work you will do this summer will better prepare you for the SAT in October and you are confident your scores will go up by a sizable amount, then you should take the SAT a fourth time. One reason for this, is that your first three attempts were all around the same time - over a five month period of time during your junior year. </p>

<p>Taking the SAT once during your senior year with preparation, MAY lead to a distinct change in your scores. I do emphasize the word "may" though - nothing is guaranteed. If your scores do not change or even go down, there is the possibility that the Admissions Committee will look at the fourth scores as a negative. Taking the exams a fourth time in October is a risk, one that you will need to consider. </p>

<p>In the end, for others I will state that typically we advise a student to take the SAT/ACT two or three times. Once in the spring of their junior and once in the fall of their senior year. Usually the third time is taken in the fall of senior year as well if a student is truly disappointed with their scores.</p>

<p>Thank you for your comment admissiondaniel !!
it helped me alot :)</p>

<p>That was a GREAT post in post #2. Thanks very much.</p>

<p>One more point to add, if you are going to take the SAT again remember you will want to study, practice... Are you sure that is how you want to spend your summer and start of senior year? And if you plan to apply early as you said, that time may be better spent on the application, essays, and coursework.</p>