<p>I’ve heard that people’s scores tend to change slightly each time the test is taken, but not dramatically. That would render the test a little pointless; not much in the final score should be left to chance. </p>
<p>First time I took it (winter of junior year):
CR: 660
Math: 570
Writing: 680
Needless to say, I was very upset. Then March scores:
CR: 800
Math: 580
Writing: 800
Ironically, I’d taken it again to try to get my math score up since I’d been tutored in the meantime. </p>
<p>I assumed the 800s were mistakes- $50 for score verification later, and apparently they’re correct. But if this is right, doesn’t that mean chance plays into these scores to a bizarre degree? What’s the point of the test if scores can randomly jump around more than a hundred points? Is it perfectly conceivable that I just screwed up (both sections) the first time and then all was right as rain the second and I should stop complaining? I almost don’t want to give the 800s to colleges because I feel like I’m lying. What if I’m supposed to get scores in the 600s and collgeboard screwed up/ is messing with my mind (unintentionally)?</p>
<p>I did get a 74 and a 78 for those two sections on the PSAT, but again: if the range is that wide, how accurate is this test not? </p>
<p>EDIT: I forgot to ask- The second SAT was in March. Collegeboard still isn’t showing score details for any section of that test. Why? Don’t they usually let you see what you missed (b/c I know I missed one on CR, and if it’s not the same one that I remember DEFINITELY getting wrong on test day, I’m going to start acting freakishly paranoid).</p>
<p>Why the hell would you pay for the score verification if it was in your favor?</p>
<p>Because I feel like I’m lying to colleges! Score verification was supposed to fix that but I still do. I know 800s aren’t rare, but both the gap between those 800s and my math score (580) and the gap between my first SAT scores and the second ones are just weird.</p>
<p>Yo, more than a hundred views and only one reply? We’re all slightly obsessed with (or at least interested in) the college application process or else we wouldn’t be here. No one else has thoughts on this?</p>
<p>I think your getting too paranoid. Don’t try to think into whether the test is random or not. Your main concern should be whether to retake the test to try to get your math score up. However, your reading and writing are phenomenal. A 2180 or 1380 is nothing to scoff at.</p>
<p>No one posts b/c this is the stupidest topic for a thread. You are smart enough to know why.</p>
<p>you scored 800 in two sections and are wondering how it happened? did you not feel confident after these sections? your score cannot jump magically to 800 if you did not get every question right (or 1-2 wrong in CR), so something divine mustve happened if you are this surprised. take a practice test and see how you do. you should know your own abilities well, and your scores should be a reflection of that. either way you should retake it since your math is low. im not sure exactly what you are asking though</p>
<p>I stopped reading when he said he paid to have his 800’s verified . . .</p>
<p>“He” is a she. All right, apologies for wasting everyone’s time then. It’s a forum about SATs; I think a question about score range is perfectly reasonable. (And as to what exactly I was asking: just whether anyone had/heard of similar experiences and ranges, and also if anyone had thoughts/questions about the validity of scores given these fluctuations. Given how much we depend on the results of these tests, it seems like an important discussion. Maybe it’s one that’s already been had on this site and I missed it.) But **** it.</p>
<p>Ummmmm, I don’t know why you are getting so offended that people aren’t swarming to your post, but having varying scores is not a big deal. Between the PSAT in 10th grade and the SAT in May of my junior year I had a 310 point increase. I had a 100 point increase on the critical reading section, a 60 point increase on the math section, and a 150 point increase on the writing section. In between taking both tests you had time to learn and prepare. That coupled with the fact that the second test may have been easier for you explains why you could have had such a great increase.</p>