<p>I’ve taken the SAT twice now and am quite frusterated. Both times I have don significantly worse than I thought I had done. For instance this past time I was sure I had gotten an 800 in math. I had time to double and triple check. Yet, I recieved a 740. I am at a combined score of 2080. I’ve heard tons of stories about kids at top universities scoring 2250+ the first time they try it. I’m not an idiot, but no matter how hard I try I am unable to do better on the SAT. Is the ACT different? Should I try it? I am a junior in high school now, by the way, so I have some of next year to test.</p>
<p>EDIT: I also meant to ask, at many top schools is there an actual cutoff, or do people just make that up? I have heard people argue vehemently about this.</p>
<p>I have to say 2080 is not that bad. </p>
<p>I got 2060 myself in the only SAT I had, but I still got accepted to schools where my score seems like the bottom 5% even bottom 1%.</p>
<p>Surely you can still take another test, but just don’t give yourself to much pressure by sticking to that 2250+.</p>
<p>Ok thanks. I know its a good score and I’m not trying to put anyone down, its just that I already have my GPA pulling me down, and I would really like to be able to get into at least one of those top universities.</p>
<p>There is no official cutoff for SAT scores for most top schools</p>
<p>^ The cutoff is a popular misconception</p>
<p>Take the ACT; you may do better on it. Some kids do.</p>
<p>While there is no “cut off” per se, if you’re from a state that has a lot of applicants, you’re not a URM, and you have no other “hook,” then there is a perceived cut off. </p>
<p>Top elite schools are less likely going to take an unhooked kid from the NE states with a 2080 SAT, when they have so many others from that same area with higher stats. However, if you’re from - say - North Dakota, you might have a much better chance.</p>