SAT CR 800; W 780; M 690. Retake?

JW Muller · 11-21-2008, 06:41 PM

My S is a Senior, just got back his November SAT's.

CR 800
W 780
M 690
Composite 1270

He is signed up for the December 6th, SAT, but doesn't know if he should retake to improve his math. My S's GPA is only 3.7 UW, and he is dependent on his SAT's to be competitive. He is already working hard to get A's this semester to improve his GPA, and doesn't need the distraction of another SAT. He will be applying to near Ivy's, and Duke and Stanford as a legacy.

(1) If he sends in his November scores now, and he fares no better in December, will schools remain ignorant of the December score if we don't send them?

(2) Regression towards the mean and emphasis on math makes the likelihood of a lower CR and W score more likely than an improvement in math. Would taking the SAT for the fourth time and getting a lower CR and W score (assuming schools learn of these scores) potentially dilute the impact of his present SAT score?

HighlandMom · 11-21-2008, 07:45 PM

Does his math score reflect his overall aptitude in math? Mind you it's not a *bad* score at all. And his CR and W scores are, well, fabulous. Too bad he can't just take the math section. Would he consider the Math SAT II, as it's only an hour?

I would lean toward not retaking it. But I'm not a Type A CC'er

anhtimmy · 11-21-2008, 07:51 PM

Wow.... you are my exact opposite. lol
Math: 800
Writing: 780
CR: 690

1) CB won't send scores that aren't paid for, you can count on that. Just make sure to not put anything on recipients.
2) Wow, you are taking it for the 4th time? That's kind of over doing it don't you think? Anyways I know that most of not all Ivy's superscore, so they will take the highest from each test. :]

gl to your S. btw, if he wants to trade brains for the test, I'm here

Arachnotron · 11-21-2008, 09:15 PM

Level 1 or 2?

JW Muller · 11-21-2008, 09:17 PM

Regarding aptitude, he scored 700 on the Math SAT II.

cit · 11-22-2008, 10:37 AM

I am in a similar situation and also need advice.

CR: 800
M: 710
W: 760

I got these scores when I took the Nov SAt and it was my third time taking it also. I know I can get an 800 on math, but I make stupid mistakes because I rush through. I got a 5 on the AP Calc AB test and a 35 on the ACT math section.

I don't care what anyone says but I think its worth it to take the SAT again if you know you can improve by 50 points.

Arachnotron · 11-22-2008, 10:40 AM

I agree, cit. If you think you can do better, then by all means do so. It really doesn't matter how many times you take it as long as you improve.

rodney · 11-22-2008, 11:08 AM

^this totally depends on many other factors.....Is this student planning on a career in math or science/ or english/history/ humanities? Is the 3.7UW at the top of the class (10%) or more like 15-20%?

If it is at the top, and he has a math/science goal, take it again.

If not, doesn't matter
If humanities, doesn't matter

Story: #5 kid graduated in 2007. Exact same SAT's scores as your son. Awards in history, recs from college history profs, scholarships for history...you get my drift....Not a HS who sends more than 5-10 kids to all Ivies. He's starting his 2nd year at Princeton.......math won't matter if other things are dominant.

J'adoube · 11-22-2008, 12:27 PM

To much distraction for a very busy Sr year. The math is what it is. The math SAT II is 63 percentile. Even if he's going for math-science, just thinking about taking it again is more trouble than it's worth. At this time essays would be a lot more meaningful. How much better was third time over 2nd time? And how much time in between?

JW Muller · 11-25-2008, 01:41 AM

How much better was third time over 2nd time? And how much time in between?

If the math had improved with the alacrity of the writing, why we'd be sitting pretty. I am not sure how much respect the writing score gets. I think it serves mainly to buttress the CR.

November 2008
CR: 800
W: 780
M: 690
Composite: 2270

June 2007
CR: 720
W: 710
M: 660
Composite: 2090

March 2007
CR: 780
W: 600
M: 610
Composite: 1990

According to the College Board, test takers who took the SAT the fourth time had their average Math SAT increase from 554 to 561 (1.26%). If this held, then his score would increase to 698.7, or rounding up to 700. A 700 math score looks so much better than 690. While the admissions staffers are gazing with reverent awe upon the 800, I'd rather no 6's lurk nearby.

http://professionals.collegeboard.co...est_Takers.pdf

Baelor · 11-25-2008, 01:59 AM

If he can improve his math score (guaranteed), there is absolutely no reason not to retake other than to do something else that morning.

However, I don't think that you are correct about 690 v. 700. I'm pretty sure that they won't shield their eyes from the 800 because the depraved 690 is defiling the purity of the score sheet.

JW Muller · 11-25-2008, 02:15 AM

I dunno, I reckon the 690 sandwiched between the 800 and 780 is sort of like this:

http://i37.tinypic.com/xp8137.jpg

MattsMomFL · 11-25-2008, 11:53 AM

cit - I think the 5 in the AB Calc makes up for the 700 math SAT, especially if you're scoring in this borderline 700 range in practice tests.

OP...how is your son doing in SAT practice math exams? If also in the same 690 range, I'd be tempted to leave things well enough alone - *especially* if he's a humanities/social sciences kid.

Youdon'tsay · 11-25-2008, 11:57 AM

Oh, he's a 550 tops!

srrinath · 11-26-2008, 12:19 AM

retake because math can be improved seriously. you're like 4-5 questions away. review practice tests and such. a 750 math is seriously not as hard as it may seem.