Lunatic

I am slightly confused on how to best take advantage of Score Choice. I have taken the SAT 3 times including the Oct. 10 test. All of my scores for the second testing were much better than my scores for the first testing, and I am almost positive that all of my scores from the Oct. 10 test will be better than the ones from my second testing (probably by a significant amount). Most colleges say that they only consider the best scores accross testing dates, and therefore "strongly reccomend" sending all of my scores. However, I am not sure that this is really the best thing to do for me because there are such big differences in my scores from the different testing dates, and I already know for sure that none of my scores from the first test are my best. Furthermore, when I go to edit the scores that I am going to send to colleges, collegeboard does not automatically include my first set of tests, as none of those socres are my best in any section, even though the college strongly recommends that I send all of my scores. Because of all this I do not know whether to send all of my scores, as the colleges "strongly recomend", whether to send the last two, as CB automatically does in accordance to the colleges' testing policy, or whether just to send the last scores, as I am almost positive that all of them will be my best scores/section, and by a significant amount.

I would not be so hesitant to just send all of my scores as the colleges recomend if it weren't for the fact that that there are such big differences (my scores from test date #1 to #2 went up 290 points, and I think my test results from test #3 will also be quite significantly better than test #2) I really can't see how sending my first scores could benefit me in any way.

An important tangent question that would help me a lot is if there is any way for colleges to know if you aren't sending all of your scores.

Thanks for your help.

drusba

If your second test has scores in all three sections that are above the first test then no reason to send first test to colleges that accept score choice (you should send them to colleges that require you not to exercise score choice and send all scores). Same applies if your third test has all three section scores above any in the second test.

As to whether college can learn that you took the first test, the answer is yes if:

1. The application for admission asks you to list all scores and you answer it.

2. Your high school is among the many that list all your scores on your official high school transcript (so check).

3. You already sent the first score by listing the college on your test application as a place to send the scores without additonal charge.

Lunatic

Thanks, really helpful. Too bad I can't find out what my third scores are until after the 4 free sends expire.