ACT/SAT/SAT II dilemma - 2 Q's

honeybee63
Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:25:10 +0000

my D is a rising senior who needs advice about how to proceed with standardized tests. She feels like everyone on CC is so vastly superior to her that she wouldn’t post her query here lol so I’m hoping to get some wise input and/or strategies for her!
She has taken the SAT and ACT once each, this past spring (her junior year).
SAT: CR 780/M 690/ WR 760, essay 9
ACT 36/28/34/36 essay 9 (the 28 was in math and 34 in science) composite: 34
SAT II French 760, Bio 720
She also has 5 AP scores: World 5, Lang 5, Bio 5, Euro 4, French 5 and is taking 5 more this coming year.

OK so obviously her math scores are quite subpar esp compared to her general academic profile. She got an A in Precalc this year working hard in the class. She did not study very much for any standardized tests but did some practice tests for each and did study for the science section of the ACT having heard it was hard. So improvement would be likely with some preparation.

The main Q is whether to re-take both SAT and ACT or just focus on ACT?
Her counselor advises to simply focus on ACT and bring her math score up but we wonder if that isn’t eliminating the possibility of improving SAT and of course most schools superscore SAT so she wouldn’t lose the 780/760 in the language sections. There is the issue of time and preparation since it’s silly to re-take them without studying. She only has Sept and Oct to re-take any tests.

Second Q relates to SAT II’s. If she does just go with the ACT, she doesn’t have to send any SAT II BUT is it wise to send them anyway? Does it look lazy or unmotivated not to send subject tests? in which case she could re-take Bio or take a few others in the fall to score higher. She could probably take Latin, Lit a/o World to earn higher scores. She is applying to some of the most selective colleges.

She needs an overall strategy so she knows what to aim for and can make a study schedule for this summer. She is very good with goals and structure, but is floundering because of not knowing how to proceed so any experienced input is very welcome!!! TIA!