SAT Prep – Retaking the Test
Taking the SAT More than Once
Many students take the SAT multiple times in an effort to improve their performance and obtain a higher score to increase the competitiveness of their college applications. The SAT is typically taken by high school students in the spring semester of their junior year, and it is common for the test to be taken again in the fall semester of their senior year. Subsequent test attempts can result in higher scores if students use their increased familiarity with the test to acquire improved test-taking skills.
Retaking the exam without allocating additional time to studying or retaking it without the professional guidance of a tutor or prep course class is not likely to result in significant improvement. It is therefore important for students to have realistic expectations when retaking the SAT and for them to be willing to do the work required to improve their score. The good news is that, after taking the SAT once, they now have a benchmark to work from, allowing them to better understand what they are currently capable of, as well as how far they need to go to realistically see their score improve.
Retaking the Digital SAT
Unlike some standardized tests, there are no limits on how many times a student may take the SAT. Students may take the SAT at their school if it is offered on what is known as, “SAT School Day,” and they may also take it at an approved test center. The SAT is offered at test centers seven (7) times per year in August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. Dates for international tests tend to be roughly the same, but students are advised to check with the College Board for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Approaches to Retaking the SAT
The best approach for retaking the SAT is substantial preparation with an experienced SAT tutor or instructor. Many students receive disappointing scores on their initial testing attempts due to inadequate preparation. Self-study methods and pre-recorded video instruction usually produce results that are less than optimal due to the lack of interaction with a live teacher or to students being unaware that the free materials they downloaded online are not current and are applicable to previous version of the SAT.
SAT tutoring provides informed and experienced instruction that can be customized to a student’s need in terms of academic background, strengths and weaknesses in each of the SAT's testing areas, and preferred learning style. SAT tutors can help target student effort, create structured learning plans, and build confidence through regular assessment and feedback.
Simply retaking the SAT without changing the preparation process is not likely to result in a substantial or even a notable score increase. Students will gain valuable insights after taking their first SAT test, such as understanding how well they managed their time and identifying any content areas they were not sufficiently prepared for. They will also have a good sense of which test-taking skills they utilized most frequently, as well as areas where they were unsure what strategy to apply or how to proceed. Once strengths and areas of growth have been identified, a student’s best chance of improving their next SAT score is to work with a test prep professional to address the areas where they struggled.
Research on SAT Prep
Independent research has shown that SAT prep classes and/or private tutoring are correlated with substantive average score gains. A 1996 College Board study showed SAT coaching to be associated with an average composite score that was 26 points higher than those received without coaching. An Ohio State University study, based on data from 10,000 students compiled between 1988 and 2000, demonstrated average total score increases of 60 points as a result of private SAT prep classes.
A 2012 Oxford study compared a group of coached students with an un-coached control group, and the former set received average increases of 23.5 points on verbal and 32.7 points on math. Professional SAT preparation helps correct mistakes made on earlier test attempts. Without improved preparation strategies, students have little reason to believe that their scores will increase on subsequent administrations of the SAT.
A 2017 study conducted by the Princeton Review involving more than 10,000 students reported that students who prepared for the SAT through methods such as one-on-one tutoring and group classes scored 100 points higher than students who did not engage in the same type of test preparation.
In 2019, the College Board analyzed data from more than two million test-takers and found that those students who were tutored, took online prep courses, or utilized SAT study books scored an average of 33 points higher on the exam than students who did not engage in additional preparation work.
College Board Statistics on Retaking the SAT
The College Board reports that 55 percent of high school juniors improved their scores when taking the test again as seniors. The average score improvement for all students retaking the SAT was 40 points. About four percent of retakes resulted in critical reading or mathematics score increases of 100 points or more. Score drops on subsequent test attempts occurred for 35 percent of students, while 10 percent experienced no change in their scores.
While the College Board notes that two out of three students improve their scores by taking the SAT a second time, they are also quick to point out that each individual student must decide whether or not retaking the test makes sense for them. According to a 2018 College Board study, 63% of test takers improved their SAT score by taking the exam more than once. Researchers highlight personal experience and knowing what to expect on the exam as playing significant roles in improved test scores the second time around.
Retaking the SAT and Score Reporting
The College Board allows students to send only their highest test scores to institutions, but not their highest section scores on each of multiple test attempts. Each school has its own policies on score reports. Many colleges and universities require the submission of an applicant's entire testing history, which would include all SAT attempts. Institutions with these policies tend to base their admissions decisions on average scores rather than peak performance. We encourage students to familiarize themselves with the specific SAT score-related policies of the colleges and universities they intend to apply to in order to avoid missing deadlines or failing to submit required information.
Students Who Should Consider Retaking the SAT
Students who wish to improve upon their initial SAT performance should consider several factors when deciding whether or not to retake the test. Taking the SAT a second time may be necessary if a student received scores that were below the averages for their preferred institutions or degree programs. Eligibility for merit-based financial aid can also be a legitimate reason for a second test attempt, as this standard is often higher than for admission alone. Applicants to Clemson University, for example, may receive an annual renewable scholarship of $1,000 if their SAT scores are 1200 or above, while at Colorado State University, an SAT score of at least 1300 can lead to $4,000 or more in automatic scholarships. Students who feel that they can reach these goals through several additional months of SAT preparation may see their efforts rewarded, but this usually happens only if they utilize the most effective preparation strategies and resources.
Prospective test re-takers should also note that higher scores are more difficult to improve upon than lower scores. Exceeding an original score in the 98th percentile, for example, will be much more challenging than increasing a first score in the 75th percentile. Ultimately, every student must make the best decision for their unique higher education plans, and what is best for one person is not automatically best for another. Talking with school guidance counselors, family members, and SAT prep course instructors can provide useful information that is helpful in making the best decision possible.
The College Board suggests that students ask themselves the following questions when deciding whether to retake the exam:
- Did I reach my target score?
- Am I satisfied with my score?
- Will my score give me a good chance of being accepted by the colleges on my list?
- Do I have time to take the SAT again before my college applications are due?
Conclusion
When it comes to retaking the SAT, what separates students who improve their scores from students whose scores remain the same is largely the amount of work students are willing to put into test preparation. Of course socioeconomic status is also a key factor, as not every student can afford high-quality, professional test preparation in the form of group courses or private tutoring. Deciding whether to retake the SAT is ultimately a personal decision best made with input from parents, school guidance counselors, and test prep professionals.