Second time SAT blues

Test Preparation
1

So I’ve taken the SAT with essay two times so far, both with very unsatisfactory scores. I recently logged on to CollegeBoard to check my most recent score (from my second test that I took earlier this month), and found that my terrible score of1200 had only increased by 30 points. I feel like a failure, and don’t think I’m smart enough for college. Otherwise, I have a reasonably good GPA (3.8 weighted as of this year), but i think that the rest of my life is going to go down the drain. I do plan on taking the ACT in April, but I don’t have high hopes. this hurts especially since I studied so hard. I feel like a disappointment to my family and society…

2

You should be able to get in college with 1230, or you can get help to improve your SAT score. I wish my daughter was as motivated as you are. I had to scream at her every day to study for SAT. Her GPA is really bad.

3

PLEASE DON’T FEEL THIS WAY!!! Don’t mean to yell but my son had a lower gpa and about the same SAT score and he got into his first choice school (not a top 50 school) but he is VERY happy and there will be plenty of opportunities for you too. These test do not define you…don’t give them that much power.

4

Your score is fine. You need to aim for colleges where your grades and test scores put you at or above the 50th percentile. There are literally hundreds of college that would be thrilled to have you.

This test is not an indicator of your actual ability or interests. It’s very artificial and doesn’t provide an accurate representation of what you’ve learned. In your shoes, I might consider trying the ACT perhaps, just so you know you gave it all your best shot. Then, I would let it go.

5

Oh, my. I know so many successful people who graduated college after scoring much worse than 1200. You’ll do just fine. Listen to @Lindagaf and some of the others, and you’ll do great!

6

  1. It’s just a test-score. Your current emotions are probably counter-productive.

  2. In my experience as an SAT tutor, if you are scoring a 1230, there is probably a lot of content you still need to learn or review. I would recommend trying the practice on Khan Academy to learn the content. Even if it seems familiar, still go over it. You probably know the content less well than you think you do.

  3. What did you get on each section? The more I know, the more specific advice I can give.

7

OMG, this is a test. I am an SAT tutor. The SAT is an artificial device that does NOT determine whether you are “smart enough” or “good enough!” Today’s teenagers are under so much pressure with this ridiculous college application process that it’s not surprising that many over-inflate the relevance and importance of this test. You are most definitely not a disappointment to society and I cannot imagine that your parents would consider you to be a disappointment to them. A 1230 score is a very respectable score. You have numerous options. First, you can focus on schools where your grades and SAT scores make you a good fit. As Lindagaf and others have indicated, you will have many very good options in that category. Second, you can try the ACT (as you are planning to do). It’s a different kind of test that asks more direct questions and throws fewer “tricks” at you, but you have to work quickly. Definitely there as some students who naturally do better on one test than the other. Your third option is to wait until the summer, study and practice over the summer, and take the SAT (or ACT) one more time. No matter what you do, don’t let this stupid process impact your sense of self. You are SO MUCH MORE than an SAT score. Furthermore, even though lots of people would have you believe otherwise, it is absolutely not true that you will receive the best education and achieve the most success in life if you attend a “top tier” college. There are so many other great schools with some great professors who will be more likely to take you under their wing, facilitate some great experiences if you are energetic, interested and pro-active, and assist with job placements, etc. You are worthwhile and important; and don’t fall for this college application boloney that might have you think differently!