Would you recommend child take SAT again w/ this score (aiming relatively high with colleges)?

[Anonymous]

Child scored 1490 on first SAT. I think that's probably good enough to get her in to at least one of the more selective schools she's thinking about, and if it isn't, then raising the scores 20-30 points isn't going to do the trick, either. She did some prep for the first test and isn't likely to have time for much more. Should she retake?

GPA 4.4 with 8 APs by end of junior year, standard normal-kid extracurriculars (in other words, not a true standout in any area), thoughtful and creative kid who probably interviews well, bilingual, has had good summer jobs throughout high school. Urban public school not in DC area but similar to Woodrow Wilson (we have friends in DC whose kids go there). Schools under consideration (we are aware that she has little chance with the Ivys) are Chicago, Columbia, Barnard, Brown, Pomona, Scripps, Berkeley, maybe Michigan or UCLA. She has a solid list of safety schools. Happy to hear additional school ideas for her.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I would recommend it. There's a subtle but significant difference in how a 1500+ is perceived vs a 1400-1490 in the eyes of an admissions officer. She probably will not have to continue prepping at that level- taking it a second time will likely result in a superscore which can push to the 1500+ threshold.

At the UChicago admitted student social, they made it a point to highlight that the average test scores were "well above 1500" this year.

[Anonymous]

Yes DC had a 1450 (Old sat) and the counselor said a 1500+ would be much better. Was also told by a college coach to take them again to try to improve the score. Seemed crazy. DC took it again but got the same score.

[Anonymous]

WashU (which is slightly below Chicago, Columbia, Brown, Pomona in selectivity) listed their bottom 25% for the SAT starting at 1500 for the Class of 2022. It's so competitive these days that you want to be in the upper end of the 99th percentile to be safe (scores listed as 99+ for SAT user in the second link)

https://admissions.wustl.edu/apply_site/Pages/Profile.aspx

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/understanding-sat-scores.pdf

[Anonymous]

Maybe she should consider taking the ACT first. My DD had a 1420 on the SAT, but then took the ACT and scored a 35.
Otherwise she should see a good SAT tutor for a few sessions before she retakes it.

[Anonymous]

How are all the kids applying to college achieving SAT scores in the "upper 99th percentile".

By definition of "upper 99th percentile" very few kids would have these scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are all the kids applying to college achieving SAT scores in the "upper 99th percentile".

By definition of "upper 99th percentile" very few kids would have these scores.

It's not the applicants, it's the students getting in. WashU's admit profile puts a 1500 in the bottom 25%, even though it is a 99% score. The median, probably a 1530, is the 99+ percentile as illustrated by the CollegeBoard tables.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are all the kids applying to college achieving SAT scores in the "upper 99th percentile".

By definition of "upper 99th percentile" very few kids would have these scores.

My kid got there by super-scoring. Yes, OP's DD should take it again as well as make sure that she is taking the most rigorous courses, including those in math/science.

[Anonymous]

I would not recommend retaking the SAT if you are a URM. If there are other hooks, this SAT will work. For someone like my kid - ORM, no hooks, no legacy, not athlete, donut family - this would be an anxiety inducing score.

[Anonymous]

How did DC's PSAT go? If DC has a history of getting a really high score in one or the other but didn't score really high in either on the SAT, then you should retake.

I think it matters if DC got the 1490 with a 790 and a 700 or with a 740 and a 750.

If DC got two similar scores and has never gotten a really high score, then their score will most likely only go up the 20-30 points you mention and maybe letting it slide would be ok.

If DC has one really high score (especially if the high score is Verbal), then being able to narrow down the prep is a real advantage and you should squeeze in another test.

It also matters how much math DC has had. If DC is taking AP Calc as a junior then their math score won't go up just by taking more math, but if DC is in precalc, it most likely will. I know the test doesn't cover precalc but precalc is still lots of alg and geometry practice that influences an SAT score.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for retaking it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WashU (which is slightly below Chicago, Columbia, Brown, Pomona in selectivity) listed their bottom 25% for the SAT starting at 1500 for the Class of 2022. It's so competitive these days that you want to be in the upper end of the 99th percentile to be safe (scores listed as 99+ for SAT user in the second link)

https://admissions.wustl.edu/apply_site/Pages/Profile.aspx

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/understanding-sat-scores.pdf

Wow...things sure have changed since I graduated in 2005....

[Anonymous]

with no additional prep time, I would not. the odds of going down are about as good (if not better) as going up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are all the kids applying to college achieving SAT scores in the "upper 99th percentile".

By definition of "upper 99th percentile" very few kids would have these scores.

Yep. The numbers sound odd to me, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are all the kids applying to college achieving SAT scores in the "upper 99th percentile".

By definition of "upper 99th percentile" very few kids would have these scores.

it's "single sitting" percentile vs. "super scoring" schools use in admission process. For example, only 1 out of 100 kids may get to a 33 (or whatever 99 percentile score is) in a single sitting, but multiple kids will get a 33 if superscoring is allowed.