Optimize your strategy. See how taking the test multiple times statistically increases your chance of hitting your target score.
One of the most agonizing questions for students is, "Should I take it again?" Whether it's the SAT, ACT, or even an AP Exam (if your school allows), the decision involves time, money, and mental energy. Our Exam Attempt Strategy Calculator uses basic probability theory to help you visualize your odds. It answers a simple question: "If I have a 25% chance of getting my target score on any given day, what happens if I try 3 times?" (Spoiler: Your cumulative probability jumps to nearly 58%!)
Data from the College Board and ACT shows clear trends:
You should almost certainly retake if:
Studying for a retake takes 40-60 hours. Could that time be better spent raising your GPA, writing a killer Personal Statement, or leading your club? If your score is already "Good Enough" (e.g., within the middle 50% of your target school), move on.
If your target colleges Superscore (combine best sections), a retake is "safer." You can focus intensely on just Math, knowing that if your English score drops, it won't hurt you. If they require "All Scores," a lower second score looks bad.
Taking a test in October or November of your Senior year is risky. You are juggling college applications and schoolwork. Only do this if you are borderline and desperately need a few points to hit a scholarship threshold.
Technically, as many as you want (up to 12). However, colleges see all your scores unless valid "Score Choice" allows you to hide them. Seeing 6 attempts looks obsessive to admissions officers.
Very few. Most look at your Highest Single Sitting or your Superscore. However, some highly selective programs (like Georgetown) ask to see ALL scores and may form a qualitative average in their minds.
Probably not. Standardized tests have a "Standard Error of Measurement" of roughly 30-40 points. A 1420 is statistically the same as a 1400. Unless it crosses a major threshold (like 1490 to 1500), it rarely changes admissions outcomes.
Yes, you can cancel your scores right after the test (before you see them). But this is risky—you might have done better than you thought. Never cancel unless you fell asleep or got sick during the exam.
It happens. If the drop is small (<50 points), don't worry. If it's large, you might get a query letter, but usually, superscoring protects you.
