Bad individual tests, Alright superscore: how much does it hurt?

Colleges & Universities Stanford University
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<p>I took 2 SATs and got:
-800 Math/610 CR/570 W – total: 1980
-690 Math/720 CR/640 W – total: 2050</p>

<p>Superscored it’s a 2160 and an 800 Math/720 CR/640 W</p>

<p>Stanford admissions says that they look at a superscore of the best sections out of all submitted SAT tests yet they don’t accept score choice so they see all the scores even if they claim that they only take the best ones. So how badly do poor individual tests look if the superscore is alright?</p>

<p>Please don’t waste space in this thread telling me that my scores are bad/too low ect…, I could care less what you think my actual chances are, that’s not what I’m asking about here. I just want to know if anyone has any insight to offer concerning how much individual tests might affect admissions. If it is necessiary to bash me to answer the question then please do, just stay on topic and don’t over do it, remember i have feelings :P</p>

<p>thanks!</p>

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<p>I don’t think anyone is really sure about how they look at SAT. I mean, schools may say that they take the superscore… but then they still see all individual scores which may have some effect on them. I would think that showing a general improvement in later tests should be viewed positively… but the 110 pt drop isn’t gonna look too good. It also depends on when you took the first one. If for some reason they still look at it separately, I should think they would be more lenient if you did it a year previously. Another factor is that marking can vary depending on when you take it. So your percentile rank in each section in each test will also be considered. You may have 690 in the math but you may have gotten only 5 questions incorrect. </p>

<p>That being said, the SAT is really just a small part of you application. Do you best on your SAT subject tests. Once you have a solid GPA, ECs and write some fantastic essays, definitely give it a shot.</p>

<p>Hope this helps somewhat :S</p>

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<p>Yea I kind of slept through the math section because I figured I could score choice it, I have an ACT coming up and the practice tests seem to agree more with me then did the ones so I probably won’t be sending the SAT scores anyway though</p>