Reporting low SAT scores

Mere2033

5-Year Member
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Sep 12, 2016
Messages
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Does it make sense to report scores that are lower then desired and update as the scores improve or wait until the best score is achieved? I was thinking seeing improvements might be beneficial? Thanks!
 
I think it matters how low the score is, and how much do you think you can improve it by. The SAT can throw you curveball ,and you might not do as well as expected.
 
Does it make sense to report scores that are lower then desired and update as the scores improve or wait until the best score is achieved? I was thinking seeing improvements might be beneficial? Thanks!
Low scores will be replaced by higher subsequent scores. It will be as if the lower scores never existed. Admissions will not go back and use a previous low score against you. And remember Superscoring - even if your overall score is lower, one section may be higher than the score on the same section of a subsequent test.

The only time you should consider not reporting scores is if every section is lower than previously submitted scores for the same type of test (SAT/ACT).
 
Low scores will be replaced by higher subsequent scores. It will be as if the lower scores never existed. Admissions will not go back and use a previous low score against you. And remember Superscoring - even if your overall score is lower, one section may be higher than the score on the same section of a subsequent test.

The only time you should consider not reporting scores is if every section is lower than previously submitted scores for the same type of test (SAT/ACT).
Ok thanks. My oldest DD started adding her scores around 1100. Took it 4 more times and only got to 1200. Got accepted with that and was just thinking was that because she showed perseverance? Thought maybe we’d try it again with the younger DD.
 
Ok thanks. My oldest DD started adding her scores around 1100. Took it 4 more times and only got to 1200. Got accepted with that and was just thinking was that because she showed perseverance? Thought maybe we’d try it again with the younger DD.
May I ask if your DD is a recruited athlete or if you are from a small congressional district? My DS had a 1310 and was told it needed to be higher so he took it again, (and again).
 
May I ask if your DD is a recruited athlete or if you are from a small congressional district? My DS had a 1310 and was told it needed to be higher so he took it again, (and again).
Not a recruited athlete. Northern California so pretty competitive out here. She was told her leadership was a strong factor. Goes to show they really do look at the whole person.
 
There are many facets to the competition for an appointment to West Point. Excellence or mediocrity in one aspect does not make or break an application. Many candidates with very high test scores are rejected every year.

The two most important factors are meeting minimum standards in all areas, and total WCS score.
 
Not a recruited athlete. Northern California so pretty competitive out here. She was told her leadership was a strong factor. Goes to show they really do look at the whole person.
Thank you for sharing. That is so interesting .... I've heard people say how the WCS score is calculated is a mystery and this proves it's impossible to figure out completely.
 
Thank you for sharing. That is so interesting .... I've heard people say how the WCS score is calculated is a mystery and this proves it's impossible to figure out completely.
The WCS score is not a total mystery. Only admissions knows the exact tabulation during a given year, but available information does provide good insight:
  • The weighting has remained constant over many years: 60% Academics, 30% Leadership, 10% Physical
  • There is a Rand report that still circulates on this forum that provides a detailed breakdown and was largely accurate at that point in time. That study is over 15 years old and the specifics have probably changed, but it does show the methodology
  • Academics are largely test scores, grades, rigor of courses
  • There are numerous check boxes on the application that lead to specified Leadership WCS points: Varsity Letter, Class President, Team Captain, Boys/Girls State, etc. Almost every conceivable high school activity is included, as well as some outside school activities such as martial arts. Non-standard activities should be clearly explained in comments section as well as in email to RC.
  • Physical WCS points are primarily derived from CFA score
  • The RC has some discretion in determining how many WCS points are awarded for items that are not entirely standard. Most WCS points come from clearly standard inputs. The amount that results from discretion is relatively small - the RC cannot simply add WCS points without justification. A common example of such discretion is determining the points value of a club sport outside of school.
  • The RC calculates the WCS score for each candidate in the region. The calculation must then be verified by another RC for accuracy and that any discretionary judgments are sound
 
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