Is there a big difference between 1540 and higher when applying to T20 schools specifically duke and Vanderbilt? Currently 800 math, 740 ELA, Rising senior
Possible major: applied math or industrial engineering
No. In my opinion, you are done and can concentrate on the rest of your application. Congrats on a fantastic score!
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Depends on the schools - but the two you mentioned, for Vandy, you are above the 50th percentile and given engineering, you can’t do better at math. As more and more start retaking the SAT, your score might even look better.
Duke doesn’t seem to show a composite on CDS. But your math is above and English slightly below. ON their admission page, they show a 25/75 or 1520-1570.
I think if you stop, you are ok. But if you have time and it wouldn’t take away from other activities (school, application or summer) and you wanted to take again, it wouldn’t hurt.
But you’re in range at both - and the strong math for engineering can’t hurt. If you were my kid, I’d say - feel free to be done - but if you wanted to get the English score up and it wouldn’t wreck any other part of your life, I wouldn’t be offended either.
The return of doing so would clearly be diminishing. I can’t imagine a higher score would flip an admissions decision and unlikely for merit as well.
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Those scores are more than fine for Duke or Vanderbilt.
Remember they are each enrolling 1/2 their class from ED. RD will be very difficult regardless of score.
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My opinion is that your SAT is excellent and you should focus on other aspects of your applications. For applied math or engineering I think that your math score is particularly important, and obviously yours is perfect.
Of course with both of these universities having single digit admissions percentages, both are reaches.
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I will give a relatively nuanced answer. If realistic practice tests are suggesting you might be able to do better in ELA without a lot more time, then sure, maybe take another. I don’t think you have to, but it might be helpful in some circumstances, including in fact for merit.
But if you are asking whether you should put a lot more time and energy into prep before taking another, I would say no. I’d put that time and energy into other things.
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The SAT scores are related to performance ranges, which have been defined as +/- 30 in the past. On the ELA, you scored a 740, within a range of 710-770 and on the math you scored an 800, within a range of 770-800. If you believe that your true ELA score is 780 or above, then you could attempt the SAT again in the fall. If you were to score a 770, 780, 790, or 800 on the math, it would alter your range but maintain the 800 within range. If you were to score below 770 on the math, you run the risk of the initial 800 being classified as a “fluke” score, as flukes do occur albeit extremely rarely. What if you were to score a 710 on the ELA the second time, or worse?
If I were to score an 800 on any section, I would not retake the SAT. I would attempt a different test, like the ACT, for a possible higher score if I truly believe that the 740 ELA score is wrong. Even if you were not to score on 36 on ACT math, it wouldn’t necessarily mean that the 800 math score was a fluke since these are two different tests.
You assume the risk.
I wouldn’t take it again.
You want to study Math or engineering.
You got an 800 on the math section of the SAT.
What’s to improve? 740 on the ELA is an outstanding score. Getting a 760 next time won’t materially improve your chances of admissions on its own, and as someone else said, you may do worse your second time around on math.
Focus on other parts of your application and demonstrate interest. Even if you improve, there are plenty of 1580’s out there. Your 1580 will not be memorable. Great essays, recommendations and interviews may be.
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Do other parts of your application show strong ELA-type grades or activities? AP lang ? Writing activities? Will your essays be strong?
I think the T-20 schools would rather have a great essay than a perfect 800 in ELA (but I’m not an AO at a T-20 so don’t listen to me).
given that breakdown and major, no.