<p>I'm an international applicant doing the IB. I took the SATs twice. Got a 2010 the first time and a 1990 the second. Super scored so far is 2040. I'm not trying to make excuses by any means but I just feel like it's sort of unfair (for lack of a better word?) that it's so competitive for international applicants. I mean, from what I've been told the SATs are basically geared towards the AP curriculum, and not towards the IB or A levels or any other one for that matter. Obviously, they probably cover similar areas but in very different ways. Specially the CR section on the SATs. HOW DO YOU GUYS GET SUCH GOOD GRADES ON THAT? I mean in school English is one of my best subjects but in the SATs, Math and Writing are okay. But reading, HOLY @!#!@#$(#$<em>(!@#</em>!! Anyway, I'm not here to whine, (although I guess that is what I did), basically, I'm asking you guys if you think I should take the SATs a third (and hopefully final) time in January. I really really want to go to Columbia. Like really really. But they say on the Columbia website that they discourage applicants from taking standardized tests more than two times, but if applicants do so, they are not penalized for it. I'm really confused, I don't know what to do. I just want to maximize my chances by doing whatever I can. I don't want to look back and think "what if", you know? So yeah, sorry for this novel-esque post, but any help would be much appreciated.</p>
<p>PS. I'm relatively new hear and although I HATE these "chance me" things that I see EVERYWHERE. I think I might succumb to the trend soon. If you guys agree to "chance me" (ew, I hate that saying, I'm doing to call it "check me out"). Yeah, so I'm going to stop typing now. I hope someone will have replied to this the next time I log on. </p>
<p>The SAT is really not geared to the AP curriculum. Plenty of people take the SAT who have never taken a single AP class. Perhaps the SAT is geared to an American curriculum (maybe you don’t do literary analysis in English or certain kinds of applied maths in your country’s curriculum?) but that comes with the territory when applying to an American university. As for the CR section, I’d recommend you check out this site: [SAT</a> Critical Reading Preparation | Free Critical Reading Questions](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>SAT Practice and Preparation – SAT Suite | College Board)</p>
<p>Yeah, that’s what I meant, American curriculum. Sorry for not being precise enough! Also, thanks for the tips. So you feel taking it a 3rd time would be a good idea? Also, I’ve seen that website (obviously, the first one I checked out) and I also did the question of the day thing regularly. But, mehh…any particular suggestions though? Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.</p>
<p>I’m an international student, and I understand what you feel. However, it’s obvious that the SAT would be geared towards an American high school education. How could it possibly put its own students at a disadvantage? If you feel this way though, then you have to judge whether you really need, or want to study in the US. </p>
<p>If you are sure, then the only thing you can do is just keep practicing until you are sure of getting a higher score. Get “The Official SAT Study Guide” from Collegeboard, which has 10 or so practice tests, time yourself, and keep working at it. Now, at least, the SAT is just a test of persistence and diligence. Many international students attain high scores on the SAT, but it comes with lots of practice.</p>
<p>I love the critical reading section, and critical reading in general, and I’ve tutored a few people in it. I’d be interested to know what exactly you find difficult about the questions and I’d be happy to try and help. But let’s not turn this thread into a 1-on-1 conversation; PM me :)</p>
<p>honestly the only thing that can help (that I know of) for CR is reading, newspaper articles are good because they are about the right length. don’t call your "chance me " thing “check me out,” that sounds like something on a dating website.</p>
<p>hahaha yeah im not posting a chance me because i dont really believe in those so you dont have to worry about me calling a check it out. i dont even know why i wrote that. im kind of embarrassed. and yeah im sure that i want to study in the US that’s why im trying to up my score. so i take it you guys think a third time would be good? and @pwoods – are you serious? CR tutor. omg! I’m PMing you right now. this is probably the best news i’ve heard. thank you so much for the offer. im defo. taking you up on it :)</p>
<p>haha ok good and don’t be embarassed. and yes take it a third time, three times isn’t excessive, but fours is a little bit much so maybe just accept whatever it is after this last one. and if you don’t mind me asking, where are you from? or what is your first language?</p>
<p>Okay, where I’m from is a difficult question but the first language question, I usually say English because I have been speaking it since the day I was born (not literally, obviously), oh and I’m bilingual, if that helps?</p>