I have a pretty high GPA (unweighted: 4.0) and I find that normal academics are fairly easy and come naturally to me (especially algebra-based math)…however, I just got my SAT scores and I got a 1180 out of 2400. I’m pretty sure a monkey could have done better.
And I’m in tears because of that.
When I entered high school, the nerves about the SAT started to sink in. So, I was dreading this exam since I was 14… and when the test day finally came, I was so nervous that my hands were shaking…so yes, I was nervous…but really? Somehow I doubt just being nervous could get me a 1180… Am I really that stupid? Does this mean I’m not going to do well in college?
I will not be taking the exam again. I am going to a community college just to avoid having to take it again… I feel like crap about myself right now…
Normally I would say no. No offense, but 1180 is really, really bad. The SAT isn’t really the end all of determining intelligence but if you are scoring that low you have a deficiency somewhere in your academic capabilities. You may have done something like mix up sections that you bubbled on.
The SAT is really different from any test you’ve taken in school, so if you hadn’t prepared with practice tests or anything like that, then I think you would expect a very low score. As a lot of people have said, think of the SAT test as testing how well you can take a certain type of test, not to test your intelligence.
So I would say don’t worry and definitely don’t decide to go to a community college just because of one crappy test. Retake the test and practice with a lot of practice tests so you know what you’re getting in for, and I’m sure you’ll do better the next time around!
I personally think running away from the SAT is a very bad plan. Nothing wrong with community college and possibly transferring, or receiving your degree there and getting guaranteed admission into another University for your masters (depending on what programs your CC offers), but if you really wanted to get into a 4 year university as an undergrad, I don’t think you should just quit because of the SAT. SAT doesn’t determine intelligence. I don’t think a math wizard is stupid just because they don’t know some of the outrageous words the SAT throws into the vocab session. And I don’t think a literary genius is stupid because they can’t answer an algebra problem as quick as a math wizard. The SAT is still a giant money grab, in my opinion. Of course, someone with a 4.0+ is probably more likely to score a 2100 on an SAT than someone with a 2.3, but you really don’t have to be smart at all to score high on the SAT and vice versa. I think it depends on who you are. From what I read, I’m more of an ACT person. If you haven’t looked into the ACT, try taking it. I’m taking it in September. The ACT is more of a straightforward test that really analyzes the amount of content that you have learned in your 11-12 years of education and how well you can comprehend and apply it. It doesn’t have a ridiculous vocabulary section, but the questions are a bit more challenging. I think the SAT tests more of critical and quick thinking skills, but definitely doesn’t mean you’re dumb. I’d advise you to try at the SAT again, and study hard. And try out the ACT. Look at a few practice questions online, maybe you’ll those questions more than the SAT types.
The SAT is by no means a measurement of one’s intelligence (if you’re curious about that, a simple Google search will show you what an IQ test is actually composed of). The fact that you’re able to achieve a GPA of 4.0 unweighted is telling of your ability to do well in a classroom setting when the learning and testing environments are ideal. On the other hand, stress quite literally inhibits the mind’s ability to function and focus in a normal manner, so your SAT score can suffer drastically from that - this does not mean you aren’t intelligent, it just means that the added pressure took a toll on your performance, which is completely fine. I would strongly reconsider your decision to go to community college just because you don’t want to take the SAT again, because you have the potential to go to a great university, and part of life is learning how to do things that make you dreadfully uncomfortable. Sign up to take it again and breath - it’s not the end of the world and you’re smart enough to increase your score!
Take a deep breath. One or two questions: Did you prepare at all for the test? Take any practice tests? Most people do some kind of practice before sitting for the actual test. And many people take several to many practice tests beforehand. Also, as others have noted, the SAT is not a straightforward test. It is designed to be tricky. Before you decide to go to community college (which may be a fine option but not one to pursue because of one bad SAT score), consider the following options: 1. As others have noted, the ACT is much more straightforward so you can consider taking that test (but not without practicing beforeharnd). 2. There is a growing list of test optional schools – Bowdoin, Wesleyan come to mind but there are many others. So you could apply to one or more of those schools without submitting any test.