Okay, so I took the SAT a couple of weeks ago, and frankly, I totally bombed it. Like, seriously, I’m talking a score that’s way lower than any of my practice tests, and it’s making me rethink my whole college application strategy. I was aiming for a certain range to get into some of my top-choice schools, and this score just isn’t going to cut it.
My question is, can I retake the SAT? Is there a limit to how many times you can take it? Also, if I do retake it, how do colleges view that? Do they just look at the highest score, or do they see all the scores and somehow penalize you for taking it multiple times? Some schools say they’re "test-optional" now, so is it even worth retaking it at all, considering how badly I did this first time?
I’m a junior, by the way, so I have some time, but I’m stressing out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! And specifically, can I just sign up for another one even though I already took it?
Answer
Yes, you can retake the SAT. The College Board, the organization that administers the SAT, allows students to take the test multiple times. There is no limit to the number of times you can take the SAT.
Reasons for Retaking the SAT:
Students retake the SAT for various reasons, including:
- Improving their score: The most common reason is to achieve a higher score, making them more competitive for college admissions and potential scholarships.
- Feeling unprepared: Some students may feel they weren’t adequately prepared for their first attempt due to time constraints, test anxiety, or lack of familiarity with the test format.
- Targeting specific sections: A student might perform well on one section (e.g., Math) but struggle with another (e.g., Evidence-Based Reading and Writing). They might retake the test to focus on improving the weaker section.
- Accommodations issues: If a student’s approved accommodations weren’t properly administered during the initial test, they might retake it to ensure a fair testing environment.
- Test day issues: Unforeseen circumstances on test day, such as illness, noise distractions, or technical difficulties during the digital SAT, can negatively impact performance, prompting a retake.
Considerations Before Retaking the SAT:
- College policies: Check the score policies of the colleges you’re applying to. Some colleges superscore, meaning they consider the highest section scores from multiple test dates. Others may only consider the highest single test date score. Understanding these policies is crucial in deciding whether retaking the SAT is beneficial.
- Preparation: Retaking the SAT without adequate preparation is unlikely to result in a significant score improvement. Dedicate time to studying, practicing with official SAT materials, and addressing areas of weakness.
- Test fatigue: Taking the SAT too many times can lead to test fatigue and diminishing returns. It’s important to assess whether the potential score improvement outweighs the effort and stress involved.
- Time constraints: Consider application deadlines and test dates to ensure your scores are received by colleges in time. Allow ample time for score reporting.
Registering for a Retake:
To register for a retake, you’ll need to:
- Create or log in to your College Board account on the College Board website.
- Register for a specific SAT test date at a designated test center.
- Pay the registration fee.
- If you’re eligible for fee waivers, ensure you apply and receive approval before registering.
- If you require accommodations, submit the necessary documentation and obtain approval from the College Board well in advance of the test date.
Digital SAT Changes:
The SAT transitioned to a digital format in 2024. The digital SAT is shorter, adaptive (section-level), and allows the use of approved calculators throughout the Math section. Test takers should familiarize themselves with the digital format and practice using the Bluebook app, the College Board’s official testing platform.
