SAT Questions?
July 16th, 2009 | 
Author: 
Hi and welcome to my blog,
I opened this blog to help anyone who is preparing for his SAT.
I remember myself when I started - I was so lost and in such a panic.
Luckily I got this great SAT guide that helped me a lot . So study hard and good luck!
Im going to be a senior when the new school year starts. On the SAT, I got:
1st: 1930 (570c, 760m, 600w)
2nd: 2160 (700c, 780m, 680w)
So here are my questions:
1. Should I retake the SAT? I know I already took it twice, but with some studying over the summer, I think I can score a little better.
2. If I take it again, would colleges average the 3 SATs since I took it three times. I’ve heard countless different things on how colleges look at SAT scores, and I am so confused. How would colleges look at my SATs if I retake or not retake?
3. Both times, I scored an 8 on the essay portion. For the people who scored higher than an 8, how do you write your essays?
4. Finally, for the SAT IIs, I have already taken the Korean test and got a 800 on it. I’m planning to take 2 or 3 more(math II, biology, and chemistry). Which ones should I take because I think I only need to take two more?
Posted in sat questions | 
Tags: biology, chemistry, colleges, different things, essay portion, math, sats, school year, three times
It all depends on what school you want to go to. I just graduated last year and i got a 2160 on my SAT the first time. I was unhappy with this because I wanted to get into a top 20 ranked school so I retook it and got a 2330. If you want to get into a top 20 school, mainly ivy’s, and should be ivy’s such as Stanford, Duke, Rice..etc, I would suggest you take it again.
Some colleges look at all 3 tests, while others just look at one. Still others combine the highest score in each section from all your tests. However, most colleges focus on your highest score, although they might take note that you took it multiple times.
Practice a simple formula for your essay. Write a thesis that answers the questions in your intro and outline 3 points that you have that will support your position. Then write your three points using examples as support. Make sure to use smooth transitions. Rap up your essay by referring back to the introduction and summing up your points again. Most people like to write their points in the order of strength (231), 1 be the best point, 3 being the weakest.
p.s. I scored 11,12 on my essay.
For the SAT II’s take what you are good it. Apparently you are strong in math, so I would definitely suggest Math IIC, and then take something else you feel comfortable about.
1. Those are both excellent, excellent scores. There’s no need.
2. The colleges take your highest scores from each category. You have nothing to lose if you retake it.
3. I want to major in Journalism, and I tend to write by structure. If you keep it organized, and make your writing somewhat witty, you’re sure to get a decent score. (I’ve taken it once and got a 10 on the Essay part.)
4. Not sure.
I think your scores are fine. A 2160 is a very good score considering that it is out of 2400. Go to collegeboard.com and look up the college you want to get into. If the SAT scores required to get in are higher than that, then I would recommend taking it again. Colleges look at your best score, not an average or the weaker scores. It doesn’t matter how many times you take it, but it’s a waste of money to take it more than three time. I took it twice, but I also took the ACT as well. As for you SAT II, take the two subjects that are your strengths. If you want to take all three go for it! Since your asking for advice on which two to take, I would take chemistry and biology. That is because I took both those AP’s. However, I have not taken the SAT II; I’ve heard it’s much easier than AP tests.
1. You have a great score and taking it again may not be as beneficial as you think. A minor improvement may not look as good as you think (since you already took it twice).
2. Depending on where you go, they might or might not average the scores. From my experience, the majority of schools I applied to took the highest grades from each of the three sections–but in the end, they see all my grades regardless of what I submit. The colleges see your grade because you must select the colleges you have chosen to apply to on collegeboard.com (collegeboard will submit your SAT 1 and 2 grades to the schools).
3. The essay portion of the Writing exam is simply based on your writing complexity and not so much content. Focus on providing an intro paragraph using a solid thesis and an essay map. Always respond to the question given directly–most people start with a round-about introduction that goes on and on until a mediocre thesis. Be direct while also using varying sentence structure and vocab. In addition, dont forget to include a quick conclusion which summarizes the main idea of your essay. Lastly, I think three body paragraphs is better than two (if time allows)… from the essay examples I’ve seen… it seems like three body paragraphs normally scores higher than two.
4. Depending on where you apply to, you might only need two. However, because I don’t know what schools your applying to and you’ve already said you have to take three, I would recommend taking Math 2C and a third SAT2 based on what you plan to major in. If you plan to major in a Science then Physics, Biology, and Chemistry would be your best bet… however if you plan to apply as another major out of the Sciences, the schools will be less strict on the third exam you take. Of course you should also research the college and make sure there aren’t any unique "hidden requirements."
1. Anytime that you think that you can get a higher score, do not hesitate to take the test again. However, if you think you wont raise it by more that 50 points, it would be relatively useless.
2. Colleges look at SAT scores in several different ways. First, sometimes they average all of your scores to create one score that they compare along with your other admission stuff. Second, sometimes they look at the highest score. Thats a good option. There are some books on that out there, such as winning the heart of a college admissions dean. You can look at that one here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-5658202-5041236?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=college+admissions+dean&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go
3. Practice writing argumentative essays. It helps.
4. Take as many as you can so you can. The minimum isn’t a maximum, it’s a minimum.
And don’t forget to have fun. I mean, isn’t that what this is about?
1) I wouldn’t bother, unless you want to go to a really prestigious college. Then your scores will need to be a little higher, except the math score. But if your scores are well into the middle 50% of the scores accepted at your colleges, don’t bother.
2) Colleges usually take the highest scores rom each section. So if any of your section scores go down next time, don’t worry about it.
3) I cannot help you there, I only scored a 9 both times I took it. Even if I can write a good essay on an AP English Exam, these SAT topics are so hard to relate to.
4) Math is important. If you want to go into math, engineering, or science, you’ll want to take a science testand Math 2. Otherwise, take another test in an area that you are good at so that you can get the best score.
1) Should you retake the SAT? It depends on what college you want to get into. With that score you could probably get into one of the top 100 colleges in our nation. If you’re looking to get into the top 10 the general rule would require 2250+
2) Average of three? There’s always been rumors but I’m under the impression they just look at the best one (perhaps this is hopeful thinking)
3) I woudn’t know. I scored 8 as well. You might want to try to improve your MC score instead
4) If you are Korean, taking the Korean test will not help you. As a general rule the college will throw that out as a test score. I know the top three schools require you take three different SAT II in three different subject tests. Otherwise, most others only require two different SAT subject tests in two different subject areas.