Which SAT score do colleges consider?

Question

I am planning to take the SAT three times during the upcoming SAT test dates. Lets say I apply to ivy league schools and MIT. Which SAT score do the admissions counselors look at? The average? The best? The most recent one?? ???

Answer 1

I can't speak for all colleges, but I work as an admissions rep at a college and can tell you how it is done there...

We only look at critical reading and math - don't even care what the essay score is (quite a few colleges are not using the essay score.) What we do is "mix and match" SAT scores. Let's say you've taken the SAT 3 times.... we would take your highest critical reading score and your highest math score from those 3 tests and come up with your "overall" score to qualify you for scholarships and such.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

It varies by college, but most will take either the highest composite or the highest from each of the three sections. They will see all of them, but most of the time admissions counselors say they just don't look at the lower ones.

As a side note, a lot of times people's scores don't improve as they keep testing, especially after the second one, so it may be unnecessary (just expensive and time-consuming) to take them too many times. I personally improved my math by 20 and my writing by 90 the second time, but my reading went down. And when I retook the ACT, my composite stayed exactly the same.

Answer 3

When you release your scores, the admissions officials see all of them. Some colleges use your highest from one sitting, others allow you to "power score" and use your highest individual scores from multiple sittings.

Regardless, the admissions office "job" is to admit you, so don't worry, just do your best on the test. Apply to more than one highly selective school, and be sure to apply to a "safety school" (one where you can achieve your goals and you are certain you will be admitted).

Good luck!

Answer 4

They see all of them, but look at the best (unless you decide to take it more than three times. Then, they will wonder why you took it so many times, and perhaps look at your other scores.) Some colleges even look at your best writing score, best reading score, and best math score out of all the tests and fuse them to make your very best composite.

Answer 5

The first three times you take they see only the best score you get, if you take it again after that they see all of your scores.

Answer 6

They take each test score by its self not one from each. first one is 1480, below average, and second is 1670, just above average. I think state unis maybe, anything like harvard, yale ,, no chance.

Answer 7

550 minimum at both math and english. Try to exceed these.