Retake SAT literature?

Question

i took teh SAT literature test in june and i got a 480 because i didnt study at all. i took chem and got a 650 and math 2, got a 610. i really dont want to take the literature one again in the fall but i feel like it will kill me in the end if i dont take it. i want to aply to UC berkeley and UCLA and i know they want really good scores but is it worse to stick with the 480 or to retake the test again and probably get a 500 or 600? (i got a 580 on critical reading on my SATs and 610 on writing). i also live in new york, which probably hinders my chances of acceptance even more, right? should i retake the test and get probably 100 more points or just stick with the 480?

and should i retake the chemistry one since i want to major in chem in college? i was only in regular chemistry junior year and got a 650. this upcoming year, senior year, im going to take AP chem.

Answer 1

Considering that you're applying to Berekely as an out of state student, and that you want to major in Chemistry, I think it's imperative that you take ALL 3 SATs again

You're scores are pretty much at the national average, but for Berkeley, one of the top engineering schools in the country, you're SAT scores are of the utmost importance. Basically...all of your scores are below average for Berkeley.

However...you're only required to send in 2 SAT scores for Berkeley, as all the UC's only require 2 subject test scores, so unless you really can't afford it or something serious, my advice would be to take all 3 exams again, and then when the time comes, send it the scores for the 2 highest exams (which will probably still be Math 2 and Chem).

Again...Berkeley only requires 2 scores..but I recommend taking Literature again, because it's senior year that you learn most of the information that is relevant for the Literature Subject Test.

Take all 3 again

Also, I would recommend applying to other UC's, particular UCLA...just because they have the exact same application, and when you apply to Berkeley, all you have to do is check off the box that says "UCLA." Just to keep your options open.

My SAT Subject Test Scores:

US History - 710

Literature - 720

Math Level 2 - 690

I got accepted at Berkeley this past year...