Re: SAT scores
 

Take the ACTs,if your in FIRST and you can remember that it stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology well you'll probably do well on them. It's all about interpreting data.

The ACTs are what I'd call a fairer test, questions don't count against you, you can send certain scores to certain schools, read up on it you'll quickly learn they are a lot more flexible than the Notorious S.A.T.s

But then again, if you ask all the seniors that just graduated and you'll learn that once you finish your applications SATs aren't really talked about, only when people complain about them.

Re: SAT scores
 

SAT and/or ACT scores are often used in scholarship selection at colleges as a combo with your GPA. One thing to remember, if you do take both the ACT and the SAT and do way better in one than the other you can tell your HS to only include the test you did the best in on your transcript report. But if it is the SAT, they will have to include all the times you took it on the report.

For example...my daughter took both the SAT and the ACT at the end of her junior year. Her SAT scores were good, but just ok for her ability - 75%-80% range, but her ACTs were great, 95%+. Since she HATES standardized testing (makes her puke -literally :( ), she decided she was done with testing. So all of her college apps included the ACT's only unless the school specifically required SATs. No problem!

Re: SAT scores
 

I only got:
Reading: 560
Math: 530
Writing: 540
Total: 1630
which is basically not good enough to get me anywhere in the states. Oh well! I didn't really think I would do well on them so I was just doing them to see what I would get. Good thing Canadian universities don't make you write exams to get in!! Guess I'm staying in Canada :p

Re: SAT scores
 

Ugh.. I hated those standardized tests. I worked so hard on them and they turned out to not really be that important.

Re: SAT scores
 

yeah, two SAT courses totalling over a grand like 5 practice books and like 20 practice tests later, my score was only a 1920. My parents didn't think I could do much with that but luckily my GPA and FIRST helepd me get into the university of my choice. And oh yeah, I found that from within my friends those who got around what I did on the SAT did much better on the ACT. I got a 33 on there so it helped a little.

Re: SAT scores
 

I am going to have to agree with vivek's original comment of the standard adult today. Let me explain, I believe that in fifteen years I a may not get a 1500. That is because it is based on basic high school knowledge. If anyone has seen "Are you smarter than a fifth grader?" then they will vouch that over time you forget things. Also, I will say that they ask questions on there I do not know. So I am willing to say that on standard test for the fifth grade, I might not pass. Now to the point of this thread.

Math:800
English: 580
Writing: 480
Total: 1860

Not too great. I am a little disappointed with the writing. I considered retaking it just for that cause, however none of the colleges I was interested in cared so I decided it was not worth the money.

P.S.: I would like to have seen something over the Pythagorean theorum on the test. I think they have the math far too easy. I could have passed it with a decent grade in the 8th grade. English however should be simplified into more fact based problems and the Writing should be removed.

As to you who worry about getting into college and scholarships, all you need is a 1000 combined in math and english. (Unless you want to get into Harvard or Yale or some other overpriced school.)

Re: SAT scores
 

Sorry, nope, don't buy it. In the 30 years since the SATs I have advanced my knowledge of math and writing several times above what I knew as a PDS*. I do this every day, all day, think I'm any good at it by now?

Also the premise comparing you to a standard adult is false - you are not a standard HS student.

Don

*Poor Dumb Student.

Re: SAT scores
 

Although I think an "Average Adult" should score as well as an "Average Student" on the SAT and therefore meet the 1500 average test score, I do have to agree with Temper Metal's point about the performance of "Average Adults" on Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?" If those people do actually represent the "Average Adult" then it will take an awful lot of Don Rotolos and Dave Laverys to push that average back up. Where do they find those people!?!:eek:

And don't worry about your ability to answer those questions fifteen years from now. I've watched the show several times and the only question I've missed so far was "What is the most common first name of the US Presidents?" And for some reason I didn't feel too guilty about that because I know the Presidents by last name, not necessarily by first.

Re: SAT scores
 

I don't hold too much stock in these, but the people who decided a decent part of my future (admissions folks) seem to care. (Although less so at some schools)

Reading: 800 99%
Math: 710 95%
Writing: 780 99%

I also took the Math II and Physics SAT IIs and got 800s on both, but they have such easy curves that that only put me in the ~95th percentile...

Re: SAT scores
 

I did OK on the SATs back in 1971. But considering inflation and interest, I have you all beat, MUAHAHAHAHA. :D

Several years after graduating college, I took the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) in biology. Did quite well. Unfortunately, I didn't have a clue about what all but 3 questions were even talking about. Been making good guesses ever since :cool:

Congrats to all of you who have worked hard and shown your stuff. Keep it up.

Re: SAT scores
 

Slight offtopic rant:

Shows like Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader? aren't real. You seriously think they pull random fifth graders and go "Oh, hopefully they know odd useless facts. This way they 'show up' adults, creating a comedic and ironic effect on a tv show that will entice advertisers to pay us millions for a thirty second clip."

Not so much.

Kinda sorta related image.

Re: SAT scores
 

Man. So much investment. College applications feel like forever ago. The quality of your essays, however, will probably get you further than your standardized scores will, and your interviews if you have them can make a big difference.

New SAT
Math 770
Verbal 800
Writing 800
2370

Re: SAT scores
 

I just took the SAT II's as well.
Math Level II: 800
Chem: 730