Failed SAT: What should I do?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I just got my SAT scores back. I feel like I completely failed. Should I retake it? What were your experiences with improving your score? Any advice is appreciated.

First off, remember that one test score doesn't define your academic abilities. It's completely normal to feel disappointed, but it's important to bounce back and create a plan of action. Retaking the SAT is definitely a possibility, and many students do improve their scores with a second attempt. Here are some steps you can take to approach the situation:

1. Understand your weaknesses: Analyze your SAT score report to identify the areas where you struggled the most. This information will help you focus your study efforts on specific topics or skills.

2. Develop a study plan: Set weekly goals and allocate time for studying, while making sure to specifically target those areas you identified as weaknesses. You may find it helpful to break up your study sessions into shorter, more focused periods to avoid burnout.

3. Utilize resources: There are plenty of SAT prep resources available, such as Khan Academy, which offers a free personalized study plan based on your previous SAT scores, and College Board's online practice tests. CollegeVine's blog also has a series of free posts focused on SAT prep, which you can find here: https://blog.collegevine.com/category/standardized-tests/sat/. Finally, there are test prep books and courses, such as those from Princeton Review, that you might consider investing in.

4. Practice, practice, practice: Regularly take full-length practice exams to reinforce your learning and become more comfortable with the test format. Make a habit of reviewing your practice test results and understanding your mistakes so you can continually refine your study plan.

5. Test-taking strategies: Improve your time management, problem-solving, and test-taking techniques. Strategies like eliminating incorrect answer choices and skipping questions you don't know (then coming back to them later if time permits) can help maximize your score, in addition to solidifying your understanding of the actual content.

6. Stay consistent: This process can take time, so make sure to stick to your study plan and avoid procrastinating or neglecting your practice efforts.

7. Choose the right test date: Be strategic when selecting your next SAT test date. Give yourself enough time to prepare, by taking into consideration factors like your school workload, upcoming activities, and daily routines.

By staying committed to your preparation and focusing on your weaknesses, you're likely to see a noticeable improvement in your SAT score when you retake the exam. Remember, improving your score takes perseverance and consistent effort, but your first attempt doesn't define you.

Finally, if you retake the SAT and still feel your score doesn't accurately reflect your abilities, remember that many schools are currently test-optional, so you may be able to apply without submitting your SAT score at all. You can learn more about test-optional policies on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional

Or, if one or more of your schools does require a standardized test score, consider taking a practice ACT. Some students find that they are significantly better suited for one test vs the other.

Good luck!