To retake or not to retake?

Applying to College
1

<p>I only took the SAT once and I scored 800V, 800W, and 690M. I want to retake it because I know I can do better on the math section. </p>

<p>I'm just getting very nervous and concerned about admissions. I applied to UChicago, Northwestern, Penn, Georgetown, Dartmouth and Middlebury, as well as a few match and safety schools. Is it worth if to retake my SAT? Will some more math points really give me more of an edge, or am I just wasting my time?</p>

<p>Any advice would be greatly appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Don’t waste your time. That is an amazing score. Seriously.</p>

3

<p>a) Your scores are already quite high (well in range for all of the schools you applied to). Statistically, it’s more likely that your math score will decrease during a retake, and a lot more likely that your verbal and writing scores will decrease - not because your skills have changed, but because of the quirks of different versions of the test.</p>

<p>b) Even if you take the SAT tomorrow, odds are your scores won’t be out in time to make a difference. And even if your math score goes up to an 800, it wouldn’t change a “no” into a “yes”.</p>

4

<p>I can say for sure don’t worry about UChicago. They don’t really care about your SAT scores.</p>

5

<p>Rather than re-taking the SAT, maybe you take a BREAK and stop stressing.</p>

6

<p>I would say take it again. Most colleges count your top scores only, correct?</p>

7

<p>

</p>

<p>That is correct. On the other hand, it’s hard to say what the OP would gain in this case. The OP could show math ability by taking the SAT II Math Level 2 test, and leave the SAT I scores alone. </p>

<p>See </p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/349391-retake-how-many-times-take-sat-act.html#post4198038[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/349391-retake-how-many-times-take-sat-act.html#post4198038&lt;/a&gt; </p>

<p>and </p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/377882-how-do-top-scorers-tests-fail-gain-admission-top-schools.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/377882-how-do-top-scorers-tests-fail-gain-admission-top-schools.html&lt;/a&gt; </p>

<p>for contrasting perspectives on this.</p>

8

<p>I took the Math Level II SAT II and scored a 730</p>

9

<p>When did you take the SAT? When did you score the 730? Are you taking more math since you took the SAT/ SAT II? If you are, then take the SAT again, in May or June, as it is probable your mathscore will go up with more math under your belt. Chicago won’t care, but Penn, & Dartmouth might.</p>

10

<p>menloparkmom, I think the OP already applied - so hopefully by May or June, scores won’t matter anymore.</p>

11

<p>Oh, yeah, if the applications are already in, don’t worry about it.</p>

12

<p>I think you should if you KNOW you can do better</p>

13

<p>in that case relax!</p>

14

<p>I’d say it’s up to you. If you really want to get your math score up, there’s definitely enough room for improvement to warrant taking it again. However, I think as far as college admissions, you’ll be just fine if you don’t take it again…unless you’re planning on applying to MIT or Caltech or something.</p>

<p>Wait…I just read you’ve already applied to schools…if the deadlines for sending scores have passed it’s really not worth it to take it again…</p>

15

<p>^^^^
I agree. If you don’t want to get into a place like MIT, I wouldn’t bother. Your score is amazing the way it is.</p>