What should I do? [SAT score]

Test Preparation
1

<p>I am current a junior. I took the SAT in March for the first time and got 2320.</p>

<p>CR: 790
WR: 740
M: 790</p>

<p>I know this is already a really good score, but I am planning to apply to some very competitive colleges (Stanford, etc.), plus college admissions are becoming more cutthroat every year. I'm wondering if I should retake to raise the score. I was originally aiming for 2350-2400.</p>

<p>I'm just kind of frustrated that I didn't get 800 on math. I was fairly confident at the end of the test that I didn't miss any problems in math, but apparently I was wrong.
On another note, my essay score was an 8, which is something I could definitely improve on?</p>

<p>I'm just wondering what you guys think. Also, if I am to retake it, I would have to do it in October since I already missed May deadline and I'm taking SAT II in June. October is college application season so I'm not exactly eager to worry about the SAT during that time.</p>

<p>So I guess to sum it up, is retaking it and possibly getting a higher score worth the effort? Also, should I consider investing time in taking the ACT?</p>

2

<p>You’re going to get bashed soon. Run while you still can.</p>

3

<p>I would take it again, with an 8 as your essay score, you can kiss Stanford Bye-bye, unless you happen to be very athletically talented.</p>

4

<p>Haha this is the internet, I can take bashing.
Plus I’m sure I’m not the only person in these forums with high expectations of themselves.</p>

<p>As for natim1,
Yes I am pretty far from being athletically outstanding.
Are you serious about the 8 = goodbye?</p>

5

<p>Wait, schools actually look at that essay score? I only got a 9 on the essay (but managed to scrape a 760 on the W anyway).</p>

<p>I guess I need to retake?</p>

6

<p>yeah my sister got a 2400, but she wanted to prove her smartness so she took it two more times just to show that she could have a triple threat…</p>

<p>-___-</p>

<p><em>shooo</em> go away and go worry about your ap tests</p>

7

<p>I’ve suggested that people retake some pretty high scores, but even I think that your 790/790/740 is too good to retake. The 8 on the essay will worry no-one. If you want to prove you can write, focus on getting a good rec from your English teacher and writing an awesome college essay. It’s time to put the SATs behind you: congratulations!</p>

8

<p>lotf, would you recommend retaking a 790/720/800 for an engineering applicant?</p>

9

<p>^
no, i would not suggest it, unless 720 is your math.</p>

<p>@jeebee, dude… stanford can’t care less about your SAT scores. im serious. as long as you are above 2200, stanford doesn’t care. they are looking for something very different… and im not sure i know what it is (i didn’t get in, lol), but its certainly not SATs.</p>

10

<p>^ Yeah, the 720 was my math :/</p>

11

<p>then yes… i suggest retaking it. however, retake it NOT because your score isn’t awesome already, but because i think it doesn’t take that much to move math from a 720 to, say, a 780.</p>

12

<p>Oh my God…I would never waste $45.00 trying to bring up an awesome score like that. Don’t do it!</p>

<p>It’s a GREAT score already. Congrats.</p>

13

<p>Don’t mind wasting the money?
Don’t mind spending some more time studying?
Don’t mind taking a few hours out of a Saturday to take a test?
Don’t have any other tests you REALLY need to study for?</p>

<p>If you answer ‘yes’ to all of those, then go ahead.</p>

14

<p>Well, they say a lot of schools are only looking at CR+M, but there are some schools that aren’t even doing score-choice and are still looking at all of your SAT sittings. But, when it comes down to it, there are going to be a lot of smart people who did just as well and better than you on your scores AND had a better essay score applying to schools that you’re applying to. So yes, i would fork over the money and retake it to try and improve my essay score.</p>

15

<p>Mkay, so first of all, to clear things up. Do colleges even take the essay score into separate consideration or do they just look at the writing score total?</p>

<p>I like to think I’m a pretty decent writer, I’m just not an “SAT essay writer.” I do fine in English and the teacher usually likes my paper. Wouldn’t my personal statements or recommendations from English teachers show my writing skills better than the essay score?</p>

<p>I’m not really worried about spending the money or wasting a beautiful Saturday morning, but it’s more of the thought of having to go through that whole process again and studying more, especially during October. Is there much of a difference between at 2320 and a 2370?</p>

<p>My primary concern is that my CR or W would drop. Even if I do well on the essay, I might get unlucky with the MC, where I have always been inconsistent.</p>

<p>I guess all in all, I’ve decided to not retake it. I don’t want to jeopardize an already-great score, and it feels nice to be done with it. To be honest, I wouldn’t be devastated if I were rejected from Stanford. I’m really aiming for UCLA and Cal and reaching for Stanford or the Ivies. I’ll just rely on my academic records and activities to prop up my application. Thanks for the advice everyone!</p>

<p>Many people have suggested I use the free time to work on developing some extracurricular activities. I know this is the SAT forum, but I’m open to advice and suggestions on where to begin! :)</p>

<p>Oh, and if anyone still thinks retaking is worth it, I still welcome more opinions. My decision to not retake is not set in stone.</p>

<p>Nobody answered my ACT question yet, hahaha. Still wondering on that.</p>

<p>Thanks again everybody!</p>

16

<p>The ACT has much more of a time crunch, includes the notorius science section, and has really dumb essay topics.</p>

<p>If you do well on severly timed tests, yes, try the ACT. </p>

<p>I think your SAT is fine ;)</p>

17

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18

<p>Score is trash. Take it again and get at least 2530+.</p>