
Should You Retake the SAT or Not?
You’ve taken the SAT.
Perhaps you’re not sure whether the score reflects your best performance.
Or, maybe you’re hoping to gain access to more opportunities with a better score.
There can be many reasons for retaking the SAT.
But is it something you should be considering? Here are several questions you can ask yourself to determine whether this is a step you need to take.
Did You Take The Test On A Less-Than Ideal Occasion?
It’s possible you prepared well for the test.
But last-minute issues can prevent you from performing at your best when test day arrives.
You could have been sick, you may have lost a lot of sleep the week prior, or things at home could have been a little troublesome.
College entrance exams can be stressful enough. Adding to the student’s stress load can cause them to score worse than expected.
Per The New York Times, distractions can cause mistakes or time lost, and studies show that even a 20- to 30-point score difference can affect admissions decisions and merit-based financial aid.
Though you can make a formal complaint, especially if the proctor was responsible for causing the distractions, either way retaking the test is a good idea.
Were You Well-Prepared For The Test?
Some students can go into a test feeling confident they know the material well enough to excel.
Then, when test day arrives, and they scan the questions, they may quickly realize they should have prepared better.
Or, they may come to realize they were more comfortable with specific subjects over others.
Once you have access to the test results from the first test, it’s easy to identify areas where your child could use some help.
Retaking the test allows the student to learn from their mistakes. They can even take a class or work with a tutor to improve on their weaknesses.
Preparation can make all the difference.
Was Your Test Score Not What You Expected It To Be?
You may have gone into the SAT with the best of intentions.
But your test score may not reflect the work and effort you set forth.
As a parent, it’s easy to become concerned for a child who you know is smart and capable but fails to score at a level that matches their intellect and work ethic.
The College Board notes that more than 50% of the students who take the SAT a second time improve their score.
Many factors can affect a student’s score (such as those noted above), so the second time around could be the difference maker.
Are You Looking To Improve Your Chances Of Getting Into The College Of Your Dreams?
You may be able to improve your chances of getting into a school you have been wait-listed for if you retake the SAT and score higher.
This is not a guarantee by any means and improving your score does not assure you a safe passage to the college of your dreams. But in most cases, it can improve your odds.
With school selection being an important consideration on the path ahead, retaking the SAT may be a wise choice, especially if you want to move up on the waiting list.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve already scored high enough to get into the school of your choice, then retaking the SAT may be a waste of time and energy.
But in most other cases – especially situations where you didn’t do as well as expected – you can benefit a great deal from retaking the test.
An improved score can even lead to scholarships and other benefits.
Second chances do exist, and it when it comes to college entrance exams, it might be your ticket to a brighter future.
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