<p>I just took the SAT (March), and received my scores - my combined score was 2250, with subscores 800 (Math), 780 (Critical Reading), and 670 (Writing). I know that the combined score is decent, and my math and reading scores are good - however, I am not really happy with my writing subscore. My question is, when applying to colleges, especially engineering programs like Duke's Pratt School (a first choice, fingers crossed) or maybe the MIT/UC Berkeley kind of top level programs, will this subscore be a factor I should be worried about or consider retaking the SAT to try to fix?</p>
<p>well i think writing is the least looked score…
some universities don’t even look at your writing score
so i guess its better than 670 in math or in reading</p>
<p>The only thing I would look at is what part of the writing component brought you down–essay or multiple choice? Essay grading can be so variable! But there are ways to increase your chances of scoring better. Multiple choice, on the other hand, is totally within your control, and SIGNIFICANTLY, it counts for almost 70% of the W score–you can see how improvement in that one area could really boost your W score. It’s easy to analyze the kinds of questions you missed and learn how to answer them correctly next time so you can score at or near 100% on that component.</p>
<p>So unless you are really jammed with your subject test schedule vis-a-vis life, I might consider going for a retake. It is true W is not considered by all, but some do (have you checked Duke Pratt? others on your list?), plus your overall score could probably pass the 2300 mark with some effort on your part. While you are checking what the schools on your list take, be sure you are aware whether they are Score Choice or require “all scores,” and if the latter, whether they superscore.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback! Going back to look at my scores, most of my points were lost on the essay - I missed three multiple choice questions, so it wouldn’t have been an 800, but the 7/12 on the essay hurt the most. I usually do well on essays in class, but I remember feeling extremely time-pressed, because I don’t think I had ever written a complete essay in 25 minutes (40 minutes, sure, but not 25, my first time taking the SAT too), and I don’t write very quickly. It didn’t help that the essay may have been the least interesting topic I had ever seen, and I remember my middle school writing tests :-).</p>
<p>I think I could improve my score if I had a better essay day, and I didn’t prepare for that portion very well. I will look into retaking the test, although it may have to wait until October, as I am taking three subject tests (Math 2, Chem, Physics) on the June 4 test day. </p>
<p>Also, I’ll have to check what schools ask for which parts of the test, because I just assumed most/all schools took everything, and I hadn’t checked specific schools.</p>
<p>Interesting that it was your essay! I had forgotten the W grading was so harsh – 7/12 is not that bad, and just three multiple choice wrong = 670. Ouch. Oh well, considering your 800 and 780, plus assuming 800 Math 2 and > 700 Phys and Chem, and also assuming your GPA, rank and course rigor are where they need to be, I would likely shy away from retake. A graded 25-minute SAT essay is not anyone’s finest writing sample. If you blow off the SAT retake and transfer the prep effort to honing your application essays, that would be a far more valuable use of your time. In my opinion! Because it sounds like you have already crossed the threshold into the “strongly consider” pool–it’s now up to you to wow them with compelling essays and all the rest of the app that tell the story of who you really are beyond your stats.</p>
<p>The devil’s advocate would say, retake just to get your overall score over 2300. </p>
<p>You’re right, most schools don’t state a formal position on the W section. But a few expressly state they do/don’t consider writing, e.g., (from their website): “Georgetown only considers the critical reading and math portions of the SAT, not the writing section.”</p>
<p>Good luck on those June subject tests! You have plenty of time to decide this issue before the Oct. test date–a lot can happen between now and then to inform your decision.</p>