<p>So, I took the SAT last May and I scored around a 1500 something. I retook it last November and it was still 1500 but went up by 30 points. If I take it now, JAN 28TH, and went up by 300 points or so, would college suspect that I cheated? I've been slacking off the whole summer and working on college applications the whole Sep to Nov. I haven't have time to study at all. Now that I did study (studied the whole Xmas Break) my scores are now currently in the 1650 tile. If I do retake it and get a 1700 but luck, would college suspect that I cheated? Would they not consider this score highly because they know that I only got it by studying hardly and not because I'm actually that smart? Thanks.</p>
<p>They give you the blue book to prepare. It is not cheating. My son’s PSAT score went up 46 points in a year.</p>
<p>No. 300 points up in total score is not a big deal. But, 300 points up in one section (Math/Reading/Writing) is indeed a big deal (AKA, a jump of 400-700 from trial to trial, which is very unlikely since such improvements are not usually possible in standardized exams.)</p>
<p>^S went up 31 points in the Writing section of the PSAT.</p>
<p>I increased my score by over 400 points, and they didn’t accuse me of cheating.</p>
<p>lol, I’m trying to increase my score by 200 in each section. That’s my goal.</p>
<p>My PSAT in math went up 22 points, writing 12, and critical reading 10, so anything’s possible.</p>
<p>I have had situations where students of mine were accused of cheating based only on their increase in score. I have testified for the defense in their hearings. One case (on the ACT) is still pending. If you are concerned that you will have a substantial score jump I can make the following suggestions:</p>
<p>(1) Try to minimize the amount of times you erase and change answers.
(2) Try to show some work in your test booklet.</p>
<p>Erasures and not showing enough work in the booklet CAN be used against you if you are accused of cheating. </p>
<p>This is most unfortunate, and I personally find it unacceptable that someone can be accused of cheating without actually being caught. But if you want to err on the side of caution, follow this advice.</p>
<p>^ In my son’s case he went from 45 on the PSAT writing to a 620 on the SAT writing after eleven months. Then, he went to 76 on the PSAT writing ten days later. Watching my son’s progress, I realize that kids have “Aha!” moments in which they get a major insight that creates huge leaps in knowledge. </p>
<p>Recently he had one of those moments in mathematics. Prior scores in SAT Math and PSAT Math were 690 and 69. In other words, no Aha moment no change in score. However, now I cannot wait to see what he does in the Math section when he takes the SAT at the end of junior year.</p>
<p>Okay, so I read that they will tell you to retake it again and if your score is the same as the first time, then they refund the cost and yea.</p>
<p>But good luck (:</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses! I’m actually not worried about CollegeBoard banning my score because I can always request a retake to prove myself. But I’m worried that college would not look highly at the score because I suddenly jump so high. I regret not studying for the summer and I’m pretty sure my scores won’t go crazily high. I predict around 100-250 points increase only (since the blue book only give a certain scale and not the exact score).</p>
<p>A friend’s S took the SAT & wanted to go to school X. The GC told him he had to have at least 100 points more on his SAT to be competitive for school X. The young man re-took the test and scored EXACTLY 100 points more! He got into school X with a merit award & matriculated there. No one ever accused him of cheating.</p>