<p>What do the top-tier colleges and universities really think when you take the SAT/ACT multiple times? I've heard from a few college admissions reps that they always take the highest score on each section...but will taking the test twice to get that score make you look worse than a person who did well on their first try?</p>
<p>I've heard a lot of myths and theories about this, and was just hoping to get it straightened out.</p>
<p>A college's policy about which scores they consider varies. Some take the highest combined, some take the highest from each section, some consider only the most recent, a few even average your scores. </p>
<p>Taking the test two or three times is no big deal. Just don't take it like 5 or 6 times and you're fine. Many on this board will try to tell you that schools will average your scores if you take it more than 3 times, which is untrue unless it is your school's specific policy.</p>
<p>Yes, it varies, but just do what comes naturally and don't worry about it.</p>
<p>If you do poorly the first time and then improve, they see that you are motivated to work and improve your scores.</p>
<p>And yet, scores are still not a very good indicator of college success.</p>
<p>Majority take the highest subscores from multiple SAT tests, rest simply take highest composite score at a single sitting. Either way, most do not care how many times you take it. However, both Harvard and Yale personnel have said that taking the test more than twice can be viewed as a negative. In other words, twice taken, you are probably safe everywhere. Take it more than that and some colleges may view it as a potential factor against you.</p>