<p>Hey, guys. I've read in books and heard from some sources that some of the top colleges look very unfavorably upon applicants who have taken the SAT more than three times. Therefore, in almost all cases, I advise my students against taking the SAT a fourth or fifth time. I have a junior student right now whose mother really wants him to take the old SAT I before March. He's already taken the old SAT I twice, and I've advised strongly against taking the old SAT I again, but instead waiting for the new one in March. I've e-mailed some top colleges to get their official opinions on the matter, but none have actually answered the question (except for Cornell, who says that it doesn't matter). This may be considered a special case, even if the "three-max" rule is valid: should a student taking a combination of the old SAT I and the new SAT have ALL of his exams count against this supposed limit, or should only the new SAT count (in other words, can my student take the new SAT three times and not have that count against him?).</p>
<p>I really don't know what to tell him and his mother right now (for now, I am against taking the old SAT I, as I don't think he will do better on that one). What do you guys think?? Do some schools really penalize applicants for taking the SAT more than three times? If so, which ones? And, would this rule still count in the case of a combination of the old SAT I and the new SAT?</p>
<p>Godot, the 3 SAT limit is not a hard and fast rule but a fuzzy guide as to when to say "enough". Basically, what the colleges are saying is that they pretty much assume many kids take the thing twice, and may tweak it a third time, and that attracts little attention from the adcom. Beyond that it can arouse the suspiciouns of the adcoms that they have a "point grubber" here and if there are other signs of this in the file, it can be a negative for the student. I don't think there is any specified "penalty" assessed as much as a negative frame of mind in looking at the file. </p>
<p>I've known kids who have taken the SAT1s 4 times, maybe more. Can't say I noticed any strikingly adverse results, but who knows? A problem with taking them so many times is that in order to improve, you do need to work on them (most do anyways), and that takes away time from other activities. </p>
<p>I would suggest that the kid start practicing for the new SATs which he will likely want to take twice and if starts looking at the writing component now, he will have a leg up on this. He can get a tutor to hone in on problem areas on the SAT1s he has taken that will be on the new SAT.</p>
<p>I also suggest that the family research what how the colleges that they are targetting for the student are approaching this new SAT. Harvard, I believe, will go new and still wants 3 SAT2s. That is one more SAT2 than previously and this is a school that heavily counts the SAT2s. It may be wiser to spend time in that venue.</p>
<p>some schools actually ask for the new SAT (old sat scores wont really matter). taking the SAT more than three times is definately unnattractive but should not impede admission for a qualified student (it's kinda like a big coffee stain on your application).</p>