Retaking the SAT: Should You Take the SAT Again?

“1,597,329 million college-bound seniors in the class of 2010 took the SAT.”

Resource:  2010 College-Bound Seniors Profile Report issued by the College Board.

Despite the impressive number of participants, the standardized college testing experience is very personal. Results are commonly used in higher education admissions decision-making processes, as well as determining eligibility and awarding of scholarships.  Each student who takes the SAT is directly impacted by the scores achieved on the test. That said, the statistics of who takes the test and the variance in scores are significant and a good place to start when considering your decision to retake the SAT.

If you’ve taken the SAT and didn’t get a perfect score or the score you wanted, you may be thinking about taking the test again.

This graphic uses data from the 2010 College-Bound Seniors Profile Report issued by the College Board and illustrates the score distribution of the college-bound seniors in the class of 2010 who took the SAT. If you didn’t get a perfect score on your SAT, you clearly are not alone. 

Data from the Effects of Repeating the SAT®, Percentage of Students with Senior-Year Score Gain or Loss (2010 Cohort) by College Board indicates that in all parts of the test, the lower your score, the better your chances are of improving your scores by taking the test again. This may seem obvious, but is worth remembering when making the decision to take the SAT again.

If you are still considering taking the SAT again, answer these questions before you sign up:

Have you gained more experience and/or have more applicable coursework “under your belt” since the last time you took the SAT?

If you have since taken additional coursework or gained experience that has increased your knowledge in areas covered in the SAT, you should consider taking the SAT again.

Are you in a “better place” mentally and/or physically than you were the last time you took the SAT?

If your circumstances, either physically or mentally, were not ideal for your best performance the last time, you should consider taking the SAT again.

Are you, or will you be, better prepared to take the SAT than the last time you took it?

If you are willing to study, take practice tests, and/or take advantage of tutoring resources in order to set the stage for the best possible testing outcome, you should definitely consider taking the SAT again.

What is your ultimate goal for taking the SAT? Does this goal require a higher score?

Once you determine your goal for taking the SAT, if you find that your previous score does not meet the standards needed to achieve that goal, you should consider taking the SAT again.

Answering “yes” to one or more of these questions is justification and motivation for taking the SAT test again. 

One more thing…

If you make the decision to take the SAT again, set the stage for success by consciously making a personal commitment to prepare yourself so you can perform to the best of your abilities. Like an athlete, you must “train” for this challenge.  Take advantage of preparatory resources and practice, practice, practice!  If you make this commitment and follow through, you increase the odds that your score will improve and will find that the decision to take the SAT again was a good choice.

Good luck and have a great testing experience!

Anne N. is a SAT Tutor for Parliament Tutors in Des Moines, IA.

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The Costs of Being a College Student

The Unigo Expert Network is a group of top education experts from across the US answering questions submitted by students and parents about college admissions and succeeding after high school.

“What are some of the most unexpected costs for incoming freshman?”—Peter T., Covington, KY.

A: The costs of living more independently

Many incoming freshman may have trouble anticipating and estimating the costs associated with living more independently than they were used to while in high school.  The costs associated with keeping clothes clean (detergent, the use of washing machines and dryers, and dry cleaning for those so inclined) may be newly their responsibility.  While the costs of printing may have been absorbed by mom or dad at home, they may now be the responsibility of the student.  And while freshman may have previously been under a parent’s cell phone plan, those expenses may be a new responsibility.   

Jane Hoffman— Founder - College Advice 101

   
A: Costs beyond textbooks: printing, study guides, software, and more!

According to the College Board, the average cost for college course materials per year is $1,137. Depending on your major and your chosen courses, you may find this to be rather conservative estimate. Therefore, budget wisely and shop around for the best prices on your textbooks. Also, keep in mind that you may need to invest in supplemental items such as software, study guides, and printed materials. Consequently, your budget should include room for these items as well as. Accessing the syllabi for your courses in advance should provide you with some of the additional insight needed to more accurately project costs for course materials beyond required textbooks.

Sarah Hernandez—Director of the Office of Diversity Programs in Engineering - Cornell University

A: One tip for students and two for parents

If you are headed north to college, remember to take a winter coat.  It gets cold earlier up north, and you don’t want to be forced to buy a new coat that you don’t need.  Moms and dads who plan to attend Parents’ Weekend and who will need a hotel near the college should make reservations now.  Rooms fill quickly for events such as athletic competitions, Homecoming, and Parents’ Weekend.  Families with small cars who need extra room for move-in weekend sometimes consider renting a trailer.  Trailers are in high demand in August, so reservations need to be made immediately.

Bill Yarwood– Director of Guidance - Moorestown High School

To send your question to our experts, visit www.unigo.com/expertquestions

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Deciphering your Financial Aid Package

The Unigo Expert Network is a group of top education experts from across the US answering questions submitted by students and parents about college admissions and succeeding after high school.

See answers from the Dean of Admissions at University of Illinois, VP of The College Board, and have your questions answered at www.unigo.com/expertnetwork  

(Note: the Pictures did not work on this post)



“I just got my financial aid package and don’t know what to make of it.  What are some terms I should know, things I should look for, or tips and tricks to maximize my aid?” – Mary S., Boston, MA


A: Be sure you’re comparing apples to apples!
Analyze the award letters carefully, and figure out how much is being offered in grants and scholarships (the money that won’t need to be paid back) and how much represents loans.  Don’t count the work-study in your calculations.  Know what the total cost of attendance is at each school (not just tuition); also determine whether grants and scholarships are renewable for four years, or only offered to freshmen.  Call the financial aid office if the terms of the offer are unclear, and then focus on the bottom line: how much will each college cost you and your parents out-of-pocket?

• Marilyn Morrison – Founder, Morrison Educational Consulting

   
A: All financial aid packages are not equal.  Persistence pays off!
The most affordable college may not be the best school for you.  You should make a worksheet with columns and fill in the details from each financial aid package you receive.  Consider the cost of attendance and which colleges offer the most federal grants and school scholarships.  This is preferable to receiving college loans which need to be repaid.  Also check the interest rates for any loans and the repayment policies.  If you receive less financial aid from a school you really want to attend, contact them and ask whether they can match an offer from another college.

• Susie Watts – College Consultant, College Direction

A: Evaluate the Net Cost of Attending College.
Financial Aid awards are based on your EFC (Expected Financial Contribution). It is imperative that you evaluate your financial aid packages from the various schools. It is important to prepare a chart to evaluate the Net Cost of the schools you are considering. Take the school’s Cost of Attendance and subtract free money, including Scholarship/Grants and Need-Based Aid.  You will then arrive at your Net Cost which you can compare with the Net Cost of the other schools you are considering.  Then you can take into account the parent’s and student’s loans which must be paid back. Remember, you may appeal the decision if you clearly explain your circumstances such as unusual medical bills.

• Rachelle Wolosoff – Founder, CollegeSearchExpert.com

Don’t miss answers by the Dean of Admissions at University of Illinois, VP of The College Board, and more – at www.unigo.com/expertnetwork.  To send your question to our experts, visit www.unigo.com/expertquestions

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Procrastinating in High School

 Is Procrastination Killing You??

I have been putting off writing another article for a good two weeks just because I am lazy and on vacation right now. The truth is that I have had numerous opportunities to write when I have been doing nothing but playing video games, but procrastination got the best of me. The worst part is that it happens more often than not, but especially in the high school environment. Procrastination has been known to ruin the careers of many high schoolers.

High School Students always feel like they have one more day to do everything that needs to be done. A teacher assigns an essay at the beginning of the month and says that it is due on the 30th, a time so distant that teens often forget about it. About a week before the deadline of a huge project or essay, students remember and actually start to work on said project. The key phrase is start to work on it. High School students rarely finish their projects until the night before or morning of the due date. Some have legitimate excuses, but most other teens procrastinate.


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Tips to Help You get into College (part 2)

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Continuing on from Part 1 of Tips to Help You get into College, we have tips 3 and 4 today. To find part 1 please click here. Last time I discussed grades and extra curriculars, which are really the most obvious requirements to get into any college. Today tips 3 and 4 involve living life and finding a passion to represent you.

3. Live life. Nothing is more boring that someone who lack life experiences. Colleges know this and look for applicants who live active lives. One of the most important questions that colleges ask during the admission process is; "What can this student add to our student body that this other student cannot?" The solution- make sure to live an active life and participate all of the time. Additionally, living life will give you more experience in areas outside of the classroom. You will be a more well rounded person, thus more desirable to colleges. Granted, all schools need some book worms, but that is only a small portion of the student body. You can worry about taking the SAT again or focus on other things. Your unique experiences make you interesting and make you stand out among other students. It is important not to let tests or grades completely destroy your life, because it will only hurt you in the long run. Save time for yourself to try something new, or go to the movies, or hang out with friends. Do not neglect your studying, but DO NOT over-study on a beautiful day, when you could go outside and have fun.

4. Find Something to Represent You- This is usually an activity or a hobby. This is THE activity that you spend most if not all of your free time on. It is something that you are dedicated to and are willing to practice, even if you have to stay up later to finish homework. For some people it is a sport, for others it is a hobby like juggling or painting, but you need to find something. Do not just party with friends all of the time, do something productive. Why? - because it makes you special. Colleges look for special students who would add to the student body, so you might be that student. Come time for filling out applications, this activity will really come in handy. You will probably be able to write essays about it shows that you are willing to dedicate yourself. This "something" is different for everyone so just go out and explore things that you enjoy.

5. Tests - Which tests are the most important? - In my humble, objective opinion the SAT IIs are the most important. They are like final that is the same for everyone in the world....

To Continue on to Tips to Help You Get Into College (Part 3) click here.

For part 1 of Tips To Help You Get Into College click here

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