Is it seen as being "insecure" taking the SAT three times?

[malfee]

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I've already taken the exam in June, and I am relatively happy with my score, but I know I can do better. I've already registered to take the October exam coming up in two weeks, but I also want to take it again in November. I was selected to enroll into this free SAT-prep course that corresponds to the November exam, and I'm expecting to have increased my score by quite a bit when the day comes, however, is this seen as being "weak" by colleges? I think, if anything, it shows my determination to one-up myself, which I would imagine is a quality any educational institute would be interested in, but it seems that not many students around these parts are taking the exam three times. Hmm, any thoughts?

 

[glowworm]

I sure hope its OK...I'm taking the SAT 3 times and the ACT 2 times. I never thought about it looking bad. 🙁 So maybe I shouldn't take the other ones?

 

[malfee]

Haha, me too. I don't see why it would be seen as so, but like I said, I've not heard of many other students doing this, and most of my friends joke that I'm crazy. 😛

 

[135892]

I took the SAT 3 times (I think anyways), but I have no idea how schools view this. It all depends on your scores, and how high you want them to be. One thing I don't quite understand is why you're taking it in October, and then again in November? I assume you'll have to sign up for the November exam before you get your scores for the Oct exam, so if you did really well on the Oct one, why bother to take it in Nov? And how much can you really study to improve your score on the Nov test? If anything, I would say drop the Oct exam (is there a penalty, do you get a refund?) and just take it in Nov when you'll be as prepared as you can be. Theres no point in taking in Oct, and then taking it again right away in Nov if you don't do something to drastically improve your score the second time around.

Good luck, and enjoy your senior year (I assume you're a senior?). Senior year of high school was honestly one of the best times... I didn't have a care in the world

 

[malfee]

Well, I'm doing some studying on my own for the October SAT (focusing on math), and I'm also in an SAT prep.-course for the November exam (it doesn't conclude until a week before the test in November), so I don't see any harm in taking it next month.

 

[tennisball80]

Do the SAT company aka college board notify all the scores to the university ? or only the highest score ?

 

[penguinophile]

Taking your tests 3 times is actually recommended by several tutoring companies. Very few people do their best on their first try. Three tests seems to be enough to study between each one and increase your scores, but not so much that your combined score looks shady because you took your test so many times. It is perfectly acceptable to take the test twice and do well enough on verbal and writing and then focus all of your energy on improving math and letting the other 2 slide. It is all about strategy.

 

[sle3pyguii]

I forgot where I read it, but it seems that taking the SAT 3 times is fine, but taking any more will have a negative effect on your scores.

I took it 3 times. My scores went up during the 2nd, but went down for the 3rd because I honestly didn't see the point of taking it a 3rd time (Parents signed me up.), and I fell asleep during the essay.

 

[bookgodess15]

You can take the ACT/SAT as many times as you like, and you won't be viewed as insecure. I heard of a girl who took her ACT seven times. The colleges will receive all the scores that you choose to send them, and they will only look at your best score from all the times you have taken it (also, if your highest on the SAT was better than your highest on your ACT, they'll only look at the SAT score).

With the SAT, what colleges will do is they'll take your highest reading score, highest math score, highest writing score and your highest essay grade, and discard the rest. Much better than ACT, where they only take your highest composite.

I must say, though, I wouldn't take the SAT/ACT seven times. Unless you have very nice parents who are willing to drop $350 to see your score go up a few points.

 

[EyEnStein 07]

3 times is ok, just dont take it anymore than 3. That starts to look a little bad, and i've heard from college office counselors at high schools that they recommend 3 as the max.

 

[135892]

Do the SAT company aka college board notify all the scores to the university ? or only the highest score ?

I believe they report all scores, including subject exams

 

[Narmerguy]

I believe they report all scores, including subject exams

Yes. When you send your scores to a school you send your entire testing record so they see all your scores and when you took them.

That said, 3 times is probably advisable. It shows you constantly strive for improvement (make sure you do improve though). Of course at some point there will not only be diminishing returns but a level of skepticism towards an applicant who takes the test too many times but 3 is certainly not that mark.

How did you do on your SAT?