<p>DS took SAT for 2nd time in Oct. Just looked at scores- went DOWN 110 points! He didn't prep like he should have and these are the results. My husband says it is a good life lesson for DS, but all I see is rejection from favored schools.</p>
<p>I know his scores from last May's SAT still stand, but will these new lower scores jeopardize his chances?</p>
<p>My stress over college apps is increasing by the day. Help me to get a grip!</p>
<p>I’m sorry things didn’t go as well as you and your son hoped. My kids are stuck with their math scores. Verbal keeps going up but math hasn’t changed in two years for my daughter. With score choice, at least you can choose to just send the best scores. Does he have time to take the ACT? My kids always found the ACT easier. Good luck!</p>
<p>Have him try the ACT. It’s accepted by all colleges. It’s a different style test, and it works better for some kids. My daughter’s ACT score was the equivalent of 190 points higher than her actual SAT score.</p>
<p>We are looking a California colleges. UCs don’t accept score choice. They look at all scores and take the highest date (is this correct?)</p>
<p>Can ACT be used in place of SAT for UCs?</p>
<p>Thanks for your advice.</p>
<p>I think you are stressing too much over these test scores. Unless things have changed, I understand that the UCs try to place everyone into at least one UC. Even if you think your kid’s test scores do not match for UCs, there are some really fine California state schools which might be a better fit. Also, perhaps your kid would be happier not attending a UC. The UCs have a reputation of budget cuts possibly causing kids to take 5 years to graduate (hence more $$), crowded dorm rooms, etc.</p>
<p>If you only want UCs, can always consider the possibility of a community college and then transfer. Nothing wrong with that–you still end up with a good college degree and save a lot of $$.</p>
<p>The UCs accept the ACT, so you can submit the ACT instead of the SAT.</p>
<p>Echoing the above posters - the UCs accept both the ACT and SAT and will use the highest score of either (they convert the ACT score to a SAT equivalent) from a single sitting (i.e. they don’t ‘superscore’ which is taking the highest component from multiple sittings - one reason why SAT scores can look higher for colleges that do this). It’s okay if they end up receiving both the ACT and SAT scores as they’ll use whichever one is highest and ignore the other.</p>
<p>Don’t forget about taking SAT subject tests unless next year is the year they start not requiring them anymore.</p>
<p>Definitely sign up for the Dec ACT. Some kids just do better with the ACT.</p>
<p>I would have your S look over some practice science sections. It is more of a graph reading section and some say that it takes some getting used to.</p>
<p>Relax. This is stressful time for you (and your son), but try to keep it in perspective. It is what it is, and this is just one part of a process. I’m sorry the test results were less than hoped, but in a year, this will be a very distant memory.</p>