Is it worth retaking the SAT for my personal case?

Question

Scores atm:

Math:730

Reading: 790

Writing: 700

I'm confident that I can improve my writing score, but I know that my reading score is ridiculously high considering I normally score around 720 in reading. Is there any danger in retaking the SAT to boost the writing section (considering I will probably do worse in the reading) or is the superscore all that really matters?

Answer 1

Your reading score is really high.

If you really think you can do even better,go ahead.

Answer 2

I got around that score on my SAT in March (740, 730, 760) and I decided against retaking it because they were all fairly close and a 2230 should be sufficient for wherever I apply this fall. On one of the printouts they sent after I got my scores it gave me the percent likelihood I had of increasing v. decreasing my scores on a retake, and all of them were in the decreasing likelihood so I felt it would be pointless (I also saw that I had only missed a handful of math questions - I believe you have to get every question right on the math section for a perfect score).

In your case, however, since your high score in CR will stick through any number of retakes (unless you topped it with an 800), it won't matter if you get a lower score on that (and maybe even on the math as well) so long as your writing increases. They'll see the lower score but it's not the one they'll accept and it certainly wouldn't negatively affect you. Remember, colleges look more at ranges than actual numbers because they know people have good and bad days.

A 2220 is nothing to be ashamed of and I doubt that the "low" (relative to the others) writing score would hold you back from any school, but for my personal peace of mind I would go ahead and retake it to improve the writing score. Just consider the cost, day you're giving up, etc., and if it's really worth it to you then go ahead. No danger. =)