Score Choice, Superscoring, and risk

Applying to College
1

<p>Since my parents didn’t go to school in the US they don’t have much experience with admissions and the like so, as a junior, it’s a bit tough to know what to do. I am looking to apply at some of the more competitive schools (maybe not HYPS but possibly something in the UC Berkeley to UPenn range- no offense to anybody intended). I am particularly confused over Score Choice and Superscoring despite going through the CollegeBoard info and a few threads here. </p>

<p>My question: should I register to take the SAT in January with limited preparedness (I’ve barely started) and risk getting a subpar score OR should I just take the SAT in March with more preparation? Based on the Score Choice policies I’ve read it seems like the more competitive schools tend to require all scores to be sent in, and even if they say they only consider the top sections (which I believe is Superscoring) low test scores might still be a liability. However, the UCs, to my knowledge, neither allow Score Choice or Superscoring. Therefore, do I stand to lose by not doing as well on the Jan SAT even if I am able to improve later in March, especially if I am quite interested in attending a UC? I don’t want to sacrifice any chances, but at the same time I want to use the January as a benchmark to see how I am doing.</p>

<p>My current mindset is to wait and see my PSAT scores. On my practice PSAT, I managed about a 2150… On a “blind” SAT practice test, I got a 2040… I can definitely improve on those (I think I’m absolutely capable of getting above a 2250). Anyway, right now I think I will wait and see if my official PSAT score is above 2050 or so, I think I’ll take the Jan SAT, but if it’s not I might wait. I recognize the PSAT is meant to be a benchmark, but I think taking the real SAT under testing conditions, official scoring, etc would be a better “estimator”… Any advice would really be appreciated, thanks and sorry if this post ran long!</p>

2

<p>There is no real point in taking an actual SAT without any prep whatsoever. You are going to score lower without prep than with prep, and you’re not going to be able to know what exact questions it is that you got wrong (so that you could study from them), or even what section(s) you’re weaker in until approximately three weeks later. And it’ll cost you 51$. </p>

<p>With a practice test at the library you could grade it yourself right after you finish and actually use it to gauge where you are at, so that you could study for the sections that you need more work on. I suggest the official SAT Study Guide.</p>

<p>Regarding Score Choice, honestly it’s probably not going to make or break you. The vast majority of schools accept Score Choice.</p>