Retaking a Test
If you are considering retaking either the SAT Reasoning Test or some SAT II Subject Tests, you should take into account several factors:Your Goals
What are your goals in terms of college and merit based scholarships? If the score you got the first time is far from the score that you wanted, then you should consider retaking.
Improvability
How much do you think you can improve? If you don’t think you can get a score much higher than what you already have, then don’t retake the test. Generally, however, you will find that your capacity to learn will exceed what you originally expected. Don’t jump to the conclusion that you can’t get this or that score.
Deadlines
College applications for regular decision are due in the winter of your senior year in high school, meaning that December and possibly January are the latest dates for you to take the SAT or SAT Subject Tests. Each college’s rules on this are different, however, so you should consult the websites of the colleges that you are interested in.
If you are going to apply Early Decision or Early Action, applications will likely be due around November or even October of your senior year. For these applications, you will need to take your SAT and SAT Subject Tests by October or November. Again, consult the websites of each individual college. As always, if you have trouble finding these rules, send an email to the college and ask.
Remember that you cannot take the SAT and the SAT II Subject Tests on the same testing date and that you can only take a maximum of 3 SAT II Subject Tests per testing date. This means you need to make sure that you have time to take all the required tests by the application deadline.
Time
As important as they are, standardized tests are probably not the only thing going on in your life. Preparation will take up a lot of time so you should evaluate how that will impact your other plans.
As a side note, we have generally found that you can participate in a myriad of activities, have a social life, and adequately prepare for any tests you need to if you schedule well and are willing to make a few sacrifices here and there. See the scheduling section for more information.
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