I took the August SAT (I’m a junior) and got a 1500 (710 ERW, 790 Math), and I retook the SAT yesterday but I honestly don’t feel super confident. Going into the day I was aiming for a 1550, but I honestly just don’t think I got it. I think my score range is anywhere from a 1480-1530. So my question is, do I take the gamble and leave my score, hoping for it to increase ever so slightly, or cancel it to ensure it doesn’t drop? If I did drop to a 1480 or a 1490 would that be a red flag for colleges?? Or should I leave it and (hopefully) take the 1510 or 1520–is that even worth it, especially because I wanted a 1550 and might retake even then?? Idek I’m super stressed right now and I would retake in August but i don’t know what I should do.
I would leave it. When my D thought she did bad it was actually her highest increase.
The SAT and the ACT are unlike school tests. For example, if I did not perform as well as I expected on a midterm, then I could change study methods, increase the amount of time reading, and generally do what I expect will be necessary to get a higher score. The SAT, ACT, GRE are standardized tests with questions from a large pool of items. You may find that some of these tests is easier because you were lucky enough to get items from an area in which you are more secure. The overall scores don’t change much even when a more familiar content is found. Thus, expect some change in overall scores or ranking of individual area tests.
If I had earned a set of scores that fit comfortably within a college’s range of expected scores, I would stop testing. These tests are pricey and I’d rather have the money. The test items are derived from a pool of items, but nobody provides clues about any specific focus of items. Consequently, you are studying in a content vacuum. Don’t you have better use for your time and energy.
An excellent use of your time is honing test taking and time management skills. Also learn to control anxiety. Finally don’t do anything you weren’t given specific directions such as filling in bubbles after a subtest is completed. Testing companies are very scrupulous about cheating or taking advantage of spoken and unspoken rules.
Tests are at important in specific circumstances, but don’t define who you are as a person or determine your success in life.