SAT and ACT/Scores

[M0ose]

So I took the SAT and the ACT. I just got my scores back via the interweb and I'm not where I hoped to be. I am above where I expected, but below where I had hoped. My brother took the SAT and got a 1590 on the new setup. He was one of the first to take it with the new section. Well, I hoped to beat him. I didn't. I got a 1350.

Here's how I broke down with my scores.

SAT:

Total - 1350

Reading - 510
Math - 420
Writing - 420

ACT:

Total - 22

English - 22
Math - 18
Reading - 24
Science - 22

So how are these scores? Am I well off? I don't want to take either again unless I have to. I know I didn't rate high enough to go to MIT, but I did good, right?

Also, I was wondering if the other people would like to share their scores too. Please don't brag, or gloat. Lets keep this serious and nice, as these numbers mean a lot to most people.
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Wings, Nachos & Anthrax

[Lyth]

Those are around average scores. How well you did is up to your interpretation. Personally, test scores don't really matter that much, as they aren't exactly useful in determining how "smart" or "intelligent" someone is. If any, they're used by colleges with high volumes of applicants to instantly screen out weaker candidates.

I got a 30 on the ACT and a 1780 on the SAT. My SAT score is terrible, but I was never really a good test taker. I don't rely on these numbers for judging my own intellignece, and you shouldn't either.

If you're not happy with your score, feel free to take them again -- an extra attempt almost always yields better results.
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I talk to the rain

[LP-Harvey]

[marinaroz]

In Israel where I live, we don't have SAT, but have a local equivalent called Psichometri. It has three sections, english (20%), math (40%) and verbal (40%). The scores move in the range of 200 - 800. The exam is entirely multiple choice, but its huge volume and severe time limit makes it difficult.

Result of Psichometri influence one's chance to get into university or college. There's this long and annoying formula that calculates your overall score between this exam and your grades from high school or prep school, and the Psichometri gives about 40% of this score.

I took Psichometri 3 times and my best score was 691, which is considered rather good. Anyway, it was enough to get into Computer Science in the uni I chose, despite having rather average grades from high school.
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Tarakana NET

[Xtreme]

Scores DO matter in college admissions and scholarship applications. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Especially to colleges with any amount of competitive air about their admission process. Your scores are about average or a tad above in some states, as far as I know. If scholarship is a non-issue, then you're fairly solid for admission to many colleges. If scholarship is important to you, a few more points wouldn't hurt.

I don't remember my section scores, as this was a few years ago now, but my ACT was a 34 and my SAT a 2250 on the new guy. I took the old one too but it was even longer ago, so I can't quite remember how that went. About the same (percentage-wise) as the new one, I believe.

I would say take the tests as many times as you can bear. Within reason, of course. 2-3 times per test is definitely acceptable to any college, even commendable. If this is your first time, then you have a decent starting point if you intend to try to improve your score.

I'll tell you what, though. You need some test-taking endurance to push through that new SAT. It's a long one. Practice and you can only become more proficient.

[M0ose]

Thank everyone. With my scores, I'm fairly happy, as I land just around the entry level to any college I really care to go to. I was thinking about going through them both again, but if I have to take a route through Community College first, it won't really matter, will it? Because for me, I am Homeschooled, with no official transcript and nothing to show that stands other then my SAT and ACT. So, despite my scores, a lot of colleges want me to run through a community college to show my worth before anyways. So I'm not sure what's advisable. Then again I am in a program that pays for my AT/SATs completely for up to like three times or so. So I don't know if I should take them up on it just for the shot.

Also, holy hell there are some smart people here. You put me to shame.
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Wings, Nachos & Anthrax

[coralvalley]

Where I live I went to an in state college, so I never bothered to take the SATs although in retrospect I probably should have just to see how I would have done on those. I did take an ACT and I believe that I got a twenty five on mine, which to me was a bit disappointing because I was hoping to score higher on it. Although I think a part of it was due to the fact that when I took the test itself it was early on a Saturday morning and I had the flu at the time and should have been in bed. Still my high school councilor had told me that the score was good enough to get into the college that I was hoping to get into at the time. I did opt to take it again for a second time just to prove to myself that I could do better. It isn't uncommon for people to take the tests a few times. I know a lot of people who were not happy with their initial scores on their exams so they took them over a few times and were much happier with the resulting outcome.

I think with you that you should certainly see that you did a good job and if it isn't something that it going to prevent you from going to the college that you want to, then whether or not you do a retake test is entirely up to you. I had one friend who had a twenty on his ACT test and they told him at the college that he applied to that his grades were good enough, but they would recommend that he take the test again just because, but he never did and he still wound up being able to go to the college of his choice, so in a way I think it's up to the school itself and the admissions people on what they feel is important in accepting a student. I think you did a pretty decent job and if the schools of your choice say that your scores are right about where you should be at, then you do what feels right for you. If you don't take the tests again, then that's probably more than alright as well. Good luck with college!

[M0ose]

Thanks Coralvalley. I should be able to get in, and thanks for the good wishes. I am just worried that if I skip out on a second go around, I will miss out on opportunities. So as of now I'm not sure which way I'll go. Sad to say, I'm waiting to see if my GF gets into her college. If she gets into her college of choice, I'll push for mine, if she doesn't, we'll go to Community College together to prove ourselves and then transfer out to the colleges of our choices. So I guess I won't know what I'm doing until she get's herself a letter in the mail.
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Wings, Nachos & Anthrax

[coralvalley]

Good luck with whatever direction you end up taking. Just remember to do what is best for you and if you both decide to go to community college together, well that isn't always a bad thing. The way I see it the first two years of college everyone pretty much takes the same classes and you aren't really accepted into the college of your choice until your junior or third year. For example, I majored in psychology and while I declared psychology as my major it wasn't until I was in my junior year that I got the letter sent to me that informed me that I was accepted into the College of Social Sciences at the university I attended so to speak. It is funny how it ends up working out.

Either way it is not a big deal. I had friends who wound up going to community college and got their associates degree before transferring to a bigger college or university. In retrospect it probably would have cost me a lot less had I just gone to community college from the start instead of leaping to the university life. Although each one had their own perk for me. With going away to school, it was nice to break out on my own, but at home you do have the comforts and luxuries that you might not have in fending for yourself on your own. Either way I wish you and your girlfriend the best of luck in whatever direction you both go in.