When Does An SAT Increase Not Matter?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>It is obvious that a higher SAT score is better. But when does it not make a difference in your chances? </p>

<p>here's my dilemma. I have a 2120 SAT - 720 CR, 690 M, 710 W</p>

<p>I wanted to take it again since I got the score back in May, but now I'm not quite sure. To be realistic I'd probably get 2200-2250. </p>

<p>Especially at the ivy-league institutions, is this really worth it? Perhaps I'm just being foolish but with the same ECs, Essays, and all the other stuff I can't change, is such a score REALLY going to make a difference in acceptance? </p>

<p>Please don't post and tell me I won't get in either way. It's not useful at all. I am well aware I am in the "lower" tier of the applicant pool standardized score wise (but not in SAT IIs). I just want to know if it's really going to change anything.</p>

2

<p>It depends on the rest of your application. What else do you have going for you?</p>

3

<p>It would definitely help to be in the 2200+ region. Have you considered taking the ACT? Many people do better on that test, and their converted score (to SAT) jumps higher than an SAT retake.</p>

<p>If you have some amazing hook (recruited athlete/ celebrity parent/ URM) then perhaps you do not have to bother.</p>

4

<p>i would say there's a big difference between a 2250 and 2120. if you can get it, go for it. not to say that's gonna put you over the top, but yes i would say that 100+ pts would make a difference in ur chances.</p>

5

<p>2320 + is inconsequential</p>

6

<p>really? say you get 2400 instead of 2320, which is +80. why is a +80 inconsequential here and not elsewhere?</p>

7

<p>What really matters and has always mattered is the percentile. </p>

<p>I would say the milestones are at the 90th percentile (around 1900), 95th percentile (around 2100), and then the 99th percentile (around 2300).</p>

<p>The OP needs to raise his or her score by almost 200 points for it to really matter.</p>

8

<p>Your percentiles are way off. The 99th is 2200+, 95th is about 2070~, 90th is 1940~.</p>

9

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<p>2410.</p>

10

<p>An increase of 50 points or higher is significant.</p>

11

<p>Thanks for the advice everyone. Regardless of the SAT score I'll get if i take it again, the school will still be a reach obviously. so I figure what the heck? can't hurt. </p>

<p>I just didn't want to get into SAT mode again for nothing. God hope I break 2200.</p>