How many times has your DC taken the SAT?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of my kids was "one and done".
One took it 5 times.

Same score in the end.

And I should add that both are at Ivies. The "5 time taker" is actually doing better in college in a harder major because they are such a diligent, hard worker. The "one and done" kid (1580 first try) is brilliant and tends to coast by which isn't working as well in college as it did in high school.

How much did the 5 time taker improve from first try to 1580?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If everybody is getting a 1580, does that mean nobody is getting a 1400?

Virginia's population is about 3% of the United States population. There are fewer than 500 NMSF in Virginia. If there are approximately 10,000 1580 SAT scorers in the country, Virginia would have about 300. Because it is a relatively high achieving state, you can probably double that amount. At 600, that is more than NMSF recipients. A 1580 superscore is equal at least to a getting a 224 selection index.

So it looks like all these 1580 scorers are on this forum!

NP: in our community, people also always claim 1580 first try, but I keep seeing the same families dropping off their DCs on SAT test dates.

[Anonymous]

Mine did it 3 times. Once sophomore spring and then again late Junior spring (same score). Last time was just the school administered one fall of senior year. Score went up 30 points that time to what she wanted.

[Anonymous]

If your child has a shot at NMSF, they should be taking it the summer before sophomore year. That will give you a baseline if it is worth putting in the effort at getting NMSF. Also, there is zero downside to taking it multiple times. It is the way the system is set up. Except for the humble braggarts of the world, doesn't matter if your 1550 is from one sitting or 5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of my kids was "one and done".
One took it 5 times.

Same score in the end.

And I should add that both are at Ivies. The "5 time taker" is actually doing better in college in a harder major because they are such a diligent, hard worker. The "one and done" kid (1580 first try) is brilliant and tends to coast by which isn't working as well in college as it did in high school.

If he is struggling in college, can you really call him brilliant?
Keep in mind that SAT math is easy peasy… (8th grade level internationally)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of my kids was "one and done".
One took it 5 times.

Same score in the end.

And I should add that both are at Ivies. The "5 time taker" is actually doing better in college in a harder major because they are such a diligent, hard worker. The "one and done" kid (1580 first try) is brilliant and tends to coast by which isn't working as well in college as it did in high school.

If he is struggling in college, can you really call him brilliant?
Keep in mind that SAT math is easy peasy… (8th grade level internationally)

DP, but it’s possible to be both brilliant and not have developed good study habits in HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your child has a shot at NMSF, they should be taking it the summer before sophomore year. That will give you a baseline if it is worth putting in the effort at getting NMSF. Also, there is zero downside to taking it multiple times. It is the way the system is set up. Except for the humble braggarts of the world, doesn't matter if your 1550 is from one sitting or 5.

There is zero intrinsic downside to taking it multiple times. There can be opportunity costs, however, and psychic costs. Nearly everyone cuts their losses at some point. Even the people bragging about one-and-done 1580s—they all decided not to keep going in the hopes of hitting 1600.

For a lot of kids 2-3 times is the most reasonable number. That’s enough to get out the jitters and lock in on prep, if the kid is ever going to lock in on prep. But it’s a case-by-case decision, because the limiting consideration is not the test, but the child.

[Anonymous]

As our school’s counselor said, it’s OK to take it more than once but don’t let test taking become an EC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your child has a shot at NMSF, they should be taking it the summer before sophomore year. That will give you a baseline if it is worth putting in the effort at getting NMSF. Also, there is zero downside to taking it multiple times. It is the way the system is set up. Except for the humble braggarts of the world, doesn't matter if your 1550 is from one sitting or 5.

yup-thats exactly what we have at home

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As our school’s counselor said, it’s OK to take it more than once but don’t let test taking become an EC

Often it does. And for whom? Those trying to go from 1540 to 1570

[Anonymous]

Sat x2, ACT x2

DC is done, got a great result.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:3 times. Middle score was the highest. Was definitely burnt out by number 3 and didn’t prep as much. Spouse pushed for test #3 because math score on #2 was 790 and she had several practice 800s.

That's awfully young to be married.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As our school’s counselor said, it’s OK to take it more than once but don’t let test taking become an EC

+100

I would aim for a maximum of 3 times (or less if they hit the number they are targeting).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:3 times. Middle score was the highest. Was definitely burnt out by number 3 and didn’t prep as much. Spouse pushed for test #3 because math score on #2 was 790 and she had several practice 800s.

That's awfully young to be married.

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