rmadden15

^ I would go for. However, once you are above 2300, you should stop and focus on other things.

blueducky

seriously? u would retake for 40 more points
u do realize thats like 2 more questions....

Bescraze

yea but 2300 does it look good.
I got a 2200 first time (750 r, 670 math, 780 w)
Second time got a 2230 (800 r, 630 math, 800 w)
So super scored 2270. And even though I am not retaking...I still regret that I didn't get my 700 in math, my main goal in retaking. In the end though I think for both of us the extra 30-40 points won't be the thing that gets us rejected from a school, so at least for me I am done stressing over SATS.

blueducky

i agree with you bescraze, like your whole 2300 looks better, but i'm done stressing over SAT's.

AMEN.

i'm SO GLAD i don't have to go through that asfjkl; again

zfox001

its all psychological. Anything 2250+ is going to put you in the ballgame at ANY school.
don't retake it. Not worth the time effort or money. You would just be fueling the collegeboard machine!

lolcats4

I like to look at it this way:

Princeton admitted about 10% of students with a score of 2200-2290
But for students that had a score of 2300+, the percentage jumped MORE THAN DOUBLE to 26%. I'm pretty sure it's not too different for the other top colleges.

That's why I'm retaking my 2250.

bunnyhop824

lolcats4,
and that is why collegeboard makes millions every year,

lolcats4

I do not care how much CB makes if it will improve my chances of getting into a good college.

I'm very grateful to CB for providing me a method to stand out from most applicants (my current score is already 99th percentile) and the opportunity to ace the subject tests. If these tests didn't exist, where would I be? (I'm homeschooled so I do not have any formal grades apart from my full time load at community college).

So I'm willing to pay so that I can stand out.

btw, on a slightly related note, can you imagine how terrible college admissions would be without standardized tests? The grade game in HS would be even more cutthroat than it is now. There would be hardly any way to distinguish applicants academically. And how would a hypothetical, super-smart student in a poor public school be able to shine? SATs allow them to do just that....

Anyways, that's my philosophy. Unlike most people, I'm thankful that the CB exists. Sure, the tests could be cheaper (especially AP), but I think it's worth it.

zfox001

I think they need to make SATs and stuff harder so there is more room for error. Once you get to about 2100+ the difference that one questions can make can be as much as 30 points.
It is kinda insane if you think about it!!
Being great doesn't cut it anymore. You have to be perfect!

blueducky

lolcats4 though u have to realize that if the college application process is all about SAT scores, they could have just taken the top 2000 scorers and just designate them to certain schools, what is the point of even applying?

a great SAT score gets into the ballpark of the school, but you need other stuff to actually be accepted

lolcats4

@ zfox: I agree that the test should be harder. It needs to show more variation within the top scorers than a question or two.

@ blueducky: The top 2000 scorers in general will get into the top schools (of course there are always exceptions), but I never said it should be the only factor. The fact of the matter is though that the scores count for almost more than grades, according to a book I've read by the former associated director of admissions at Dartmouth (A is for Admissions).

And I think that a 2400 SATI and five 800 SATIIs is very hard to ignore academically. That puts you in the extreme top end of applicants, where you have a VERY good chance of getting in, as long as you have some sort of ECs . You should read that book if you want to get more info.

Ashraf Eassa

What exactly do you mean? In that case, we'd end up with subject tests.

blueducky

I agree, Ashraf. It has a harsher curve for a reason, to separate the great from the exceptional. Otherwise, an 800 wouldn't really mean that much, since 5000 people get it every year. You know? Admission officers know that 700 for SAT is around 95 percentile, that 700 for SAT II is around 70th-80th percentile for most subjects.

angryasianman

blueducky, I would give anything to have that 2260 of yours. Your first try was better than my 2180 (730, 730, 720 second junior year test). I think you are set man. You shouldn't be worrying about any retakes as long as you have a lot of extracurriculars and have a 4.0 GPA.

four arm

yes suh sir.