<p>Is taking the SAT 3 times looked down upon?
Will it work against me when I apply for colleges?</p>
<p>Also, if I choose to take the ACT, will they see it as me taking 4 tries for testing, and will this work against me?</p>
<p>I don't know why I didn't just take the ACT in the first place, but now I have 3 crappy SAT scores, and a good ACT score.</p>
<p>And since the colleges I am applying to require SAT IIs... it is inevitable that they will see my SAT scores.</p>
<p>Studies have shown that you plateau after the 3rd try. I don't think it would hurt you too much, if at all, when applying to colleges.</p>
<p>For the ACT, you get to choose which test score to send (if you take it multiple times). For example, if you took it in Sept. and got a 30 and then took it in December and got a 34, you can choose to send only the 34. </p>
<p>Colleges will give you the benefit of the doubt and focus on your ACT score and your SAT II scores, instead of everything, including your SAT score, if it's lower than that of the ACT.</p>
<p>It's inevitable that they see your SAT I scores, however, in most cases, they're required not to consider them if your ACT score is superior.</p>
<p>I think most college would look at your continued attempts to improve your scores favorably. It shows that you are willing to work at improvement, it demonstrates sticktoitiveness ( a word my mama always used [:-)] ), and it shows that getting in is very important to you. You may want to consider a test prep program. Peterson's offers an online course where they guarantee a 200 point increase. I don't have any experience with it but it may help you.</p>
<p>
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I think most college would look at your continued attempts to improve your scores favorably. It shows that you are willing to work at improvement,
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I doubt that. I'm sure that, unless it's taken an excessive number of times (which may be viewed negatively), most colleges won't care about anything but the highest score/highest superscore.</p>
<p>It kinda shows me that you don't have a life. People over estimate the importance of the SAT, like its a do-or-die admission test.</p>
<p>i'm in the minority of people who think you shouldn't take it more than twice</p>
<p>I only took each test SAT, ACT once.</p>
<p>It's okay to take the test more than once or twice, but it also depends on what schools you're planning on applying to. The IVs especially don't like it if you take the test too many times (I asked an admissions officer), so I'm assuming that most of the better schools want the same. I'm in the same situation as you are and my ACT is wayyyy higher (but I only took each test once). My SAT kind of sucks but my SAT IIs are really good. Either way, most of the admissions officers I talked to said that they won't really focus on your scores that much; they look at your overall application.</p>
<p>what were your scores?</p>
<p>From what I've heard, 3 times is the maximum, and colleges don't like any more than that. You should be fine.</p>
<p>I second steelerfan's comment</p>
<p>On CC most people will tell you 3 times is the max. Most colleges tell you it doesn't make a difference. It comes down to a personal decision. You'll know when you've done the best you can.</p>
<p>Yup, the imaginary three swings rule.</p>
<p>whatever, I took it four times and the last time I took it, my score improved by 300 points. I say as long as you keep going up and not down.</p>
<p>I had triple 1800-1900s for the the SAT.</p>
<p>I scored a 34 on the ACT.</p>
<p>I FEEL SO STUPID. ACT really needs to up its marketing a notch.</p>
<p>Actually, some schools DO say that they care if you take it excessively. In a Princeton info session, the admissions officer said that if you take the SAT more than 3 times they'll "consider it an EC." She was joking, but followed it up by saying that if you take it more than 3 times it begins to look like the student has difficulty moving on and knowing how to prioritize their time. That's not the type of student they're looking for.</p>