Should I retake the SAT?

Question

I got a 1560/2400. I make good grades in school, I'm in the top 5% of my class but i don't know if my SAT score is good enough to get me into a college. like a good state college. so should i retake it over again to try to make a better grade or is this good enough? please help! & soon! the deadline is tonight!!!

Thank you so much everyone! I would pick a best answer but i can't yet, but anyways, i was wondering if you take the SAT a second time around & get a worse grade, will they take the better grade of the two?

Answer 1

Yes, I would definitely take it again, since your SAT scores aren't really in line with your grades. It could lead to the perception that maybe the competition at your school just isn't very good. You won't be in horrible shape if you don't retake it, but you may be able to do better.

Answer 2

I actually think that you should try to take the ACT plus writing. The ACT is an achievement test (based off of what you learned throughout high school). The SAT, as you already know, is an ability test. How can a test possibly measure your ability as a student?? You are so much more than a student and I think that by taking the ACT, it will not only be a breeze because you will have some familiarity with the content, but also you will not have to worry about those arduous questions on the SATs. I am about to take the ACT at the end of October and so far, I have answered every single practice question correctly. Please do not waste your money on the SAT! Unlike the SAT, the ACT also gives you the option to take the writing sample. That way, if the college of your choice does not require an essay, you do not have to endure and extra 30 minutes of testing!
But to answer your question...definitely try to retake the test! Only this time, take the ACT instead.

Answer 3

Your score is a tad above average, so it can't hurt to take it again--many schools superscore the SAT--they take your best score on each section. It would be great if you signed up for a study course or bought a practice book, but even taking it again with no extra training may boost your score.
And as the above poster said, it doesn't hurt to look at the average score of the students accepted at the schools you're looking at.

As for whether you can get into a good state college, yes, probably, but it depends what state you're in! If you're in the top 5% of your class and your SAT scores are not great, maybe your school isn't that great either--and colleges will take that into consideration as well--they know not everyone has had the same opportunities to succeed. In Texas, you'd get automatic admission to the in-state school of your choice just by class rank.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Well according to the collegeboard, your score is above average. You should check at your intended school's website and see what the average score was for the entering class of 2007. That'll give you an idea of if your score is high enough to be competitive or if you should retake it.

I'm pretty sure if you had your scores sent straight to the school that they'll take the highest score if they have both. However, if you take it a bunch of times, they tend to look down on that.

I only took it once. My score was high enough. (I was National Merit commended) plus like the poster below was talking about, I live in TX and I was ranked in the top 10% so I was getting in anyway. However, buying some flashcards of the words or buying a practice book at Barnes & Noble would probably give you a leg-up if you decide to retake it. (I know the deadline was yesterday, but in the Spring or something)

Answer 5

If you are looking to get into a good school and you feel that your SAT score are not good enough I would say retake it. Good Luck on your decision and I hope you make a good one. I say retake it, you never know you can do even better this time around.

Answer 6

I would say: take it again...!!!, most people do better the 2nd time they take the SAT.... However, 1560 is slightly above average...

GOOD LUCK IN COLLEGE!!

Answer 7

go to sparknotes.com, then go to college search and type in da name of the school u wanna go to. go 2 da academic section of dat school and it will give u the average verbal and math sat scores and stuff. so if ur not on point u know whether 2 take it or not.