How important is the writing section on the SAT?
Even though Writing is the newest section on the SAT, most colleges consider it to be of roughly equal importance to the Critical Reading and Math Sections. In fact, even before the writing section was offered as part of the expanded SAT, most top colleges specifically required that applicants submit scores from its precursor, the SAT Writing Subject Test.
Colleges recognize that writing skills represent a crucial factor in a student’s academic success, so it is important to do well on this section!
Should I do the optional writing section on the ACT?
Most colleges require that students take the ACT with the optional writing section. If there is even a remote chance that you will be sending ACT scores, instead of SAT scores, to colleges, it would be wise to sign up for the optional writing section on the ACT.
Do I need to take Subject Tests? If so, how many?
This depends on where you’re planning to apply. Nearly every school accepts Subject Tests scores, and most top tier schools require or recommend Subject Tests.
The number of Subject Tests required varies by school. Before the addition of the writing section to the SAT, top schools requested that students submit three Subject Tests scores; now, with a few notable exceptions, most ask for two. It’s a good idea to call the admissions offices or check the websites of the schools to which you are interested in applying to find out how many Subject Tests they require.
How does score choice work?
Recently, the College Board began allowing score choice for the SAT and Subject Tests; whereas, the ACT has always allowed score choice. Score choice simply means that students can pick which SAT or ACT scores they would like to send to colleges.
For instance, if Jane takes the SAT in January, March, and May and does best on the March test, she could decide to report only the March score. In that case, colleges would not know what her January or May scores were, or even that she had taken those tests.
There are some restrictions to how score choice can be used. Students must send all or none of the section scores from an individual test date; it’s not possible, for instance, to send Critical Reading and Writing scores from the May SAT without also including the Math score. Some colleges do not allow score choice to their applicants, so knowing where you are planning to apply can impact the relevance of score choice. However, most colleges will consider applicants’ “superscores” (see below), so it often makes sense to submit more than one score, even when score choice is allowed.
How does superscoring work?
Colleges that superscore consider their applicants’ highest section scores from across all of their submitted test scores. For example, suppose a student took three SATs and recorded the following scores:
October SAT: 550 Critical Reading, 600 Math, 580 Writing
March SAT: 650 Critical Reading, 540 Math, 600 Writing
January SAT: 580 Critical Reading, 670 Math, 650 Writing
A college receiving these scores would take the best scores on each section and combine them into a single superscore. An admissions officer glancing at the applicant’s file would likely see his test scores reported as:
650 Critical Reading, 670 Math, 650 Writing.
Note that the student did not score personal bests on any of the three sections on his October SAT. Therefore, if he is applying to a college that offers score choice, it would be best to send only the March and January scores.
While nearly all colleges superscore the SAT, many do not superscore the ACT. To learn about a school’s superscoring policy, visit its admissions website or contact the admissions department directly or call the Pinnacle Prep office – we would be happy to walk you through the complexities and subtleties of score choice and superscoring.
Is there a disadvantage to taking the test multiple times? Does it start to look bad on an application?
Colleges that offer score choice (see above) will not know that you’ve taken the test multiple times unless you elect to send them multiple scores. So it behooves a student to take as many tests as possible, without interfering with schoolwork or causing undue stress, of course.
A few colleges do not accept score choice, and require that applicants report all of their standardized test scores. These are the only schools that would know if an applicant had taken the test several times. But even then, getting a good superscore is much more important than how many times you’ve taken the test.
Beyond this, the only disadvantage to taking the test multiple times is the possibility of burnout; for many students, it can be difficult to stay motivated during a sixth or seventh administration of the same test! Pinnacle test plans are constructed to minimize burnout, and our tutors monitor students carefully to ensure that they are not being worn down by their test load. Please call our office to discuss how many times you should plan to take these tests.