How many times should you take the SAT?

I'm starting to plan for my SAT and I'm a little bit stressed about it. Does anyone know if colleges care about how many times you've taken the SAT? I want to aim for a good score, but I'm concerned repeated attempts might look bad.

Understanding your concerns about the SAT is important, and I'm here to help clarify things for you. Generally, students take the SAT 2-3 times to achieve their best score, and many colleges allow you to select which set of SAT scores to submit thanks to the Score Choice option. Even for schools that request all scores, they typically consider your highest score for admission purposes.

Repeated attempts at the SAT are not uncommon, and colleges understand that students want to present their best possible scores. Taking the test 2-3 times is considered reasonable; however, it's rarely advantageous to take it more times than that, as it may not significantly improve your score and it doesn't necessarily reflect well on time management and preparedness. Instead, concentrate on preparing thoroughly for each attempt.

Remember, the SAT is just one piece of your application, and schools will also focus on your academic record, extracurricular involvement, essays, and letters of recommendation. Try to balance your time between test prep and pursuing your other academic and personal interests to present the most well-rounded application you can.