You studied. You prepped. You walked into the test center with confidence, sat down, and took the SAT or ACT like a champ. Now, the scores are in. Maybe they’re great, maybe they’re fine, or maybe they’re…not exactly Ivy League material. The big question is: should you take the SAT or ACT again?

Here’s the short answer: Probably, but it depends on several factors.

The long answer? That’s what we’re diving into today. There are mostly pros, but also some cons, to retaking the SAT or ACT, and the decision should depend on your goals, schedule, and how much fuel you’ve got left in the tank. Let’s break it all down:

Why Retaking the SAT or ACT is Often a Smart Move

1. Colleges Superscore (And They Love High Scores!)

Many colleges practice superscoring, which means they take your highest section scores from multiple test attempts and combine them into your best possible composite score.

Example:

• First SAT attempt: 670 Math, 720 Verbal (Total: 1390)
• Second SAT attempt: 710 Math, 690 Verbal (Total: 1400)
• Superscore: 710 Math + 720 Verbal = 1430

That’s a 30-point gain just by superscoring! If your target schools superscore, retaking the test can significantly boost your chances of admission.

2. Higher Scores = More Scholarship Money

Many colleges offer merit-based scholarships that depend heavily on your SAT or ACT score. Even small improvements can mean tens of thousands of dollars in savings.

For example:

• A 1400 SAT score might help you qualify for a scholarship of $10,000+ per year.
• A 1500 SAT score could assist you in unlocking a major scholarship for half, or even all, of tuition, fees, room and board, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

That would be $40,000 to $350,000 over four years—for retaking a test. Worth it? Absolutely.

3. Second Attempts Usually Lead to Score Increases

Statistically, most students improve when they retake the SAT or ACT—especially with the right preparation.

• The College Board reports that more than 50% of students improve on a second SAT attempt.
• The ACT shows similar trends, with students often seeing gains on their second or third tries.

The key? Focused preparation. If you take the test again without fixing your weak areas, your score might not move much. But if you analyze your mistakes and prep strategically, improvements are almost guaranteed.

Are There Downsides to Retaking the SAT or ACT?

1. Time & Energy Commitment

Each test requires months of prep in the first place, and even retaking the SAT or ACT to raise your scores typically means another couple of months spent preparing. You need to remain committed to it.

2. Some Colleges Want to See ALL Scores

A handful of colleges (we’re looking at you, Georgetown) require applicants to submit every SAT or ACT attempt. While this isn’t a dealbreaker, taking the test too many times (without much improvement) could look bad.

Only retake it if you have a plan for increasing your scores.

3. Score Plateaus

If you’ve already taken the test multiple times and your score is barely budging, it might be time to shift strategies:

• Work with a top-notch instructor
• Change your preparation methods
• Focus on test-taking strategies instead of raw content

How Many Times Should You Take the SAT or ACT?

The goal is always, always, always to take the test one time, ace it, and laugh all the way to college with a scholarship. You want to take the test one time, blow it out of the water, and get your life back. If anything goes wrong, the sun will still come up the next day and you can take the test again, but that is never the goal.

Students who test prematurely often feel demoralized upon receiving scores they’re not happy with, and while most simply continue their preparation, a negative association with the test can needlessly be created and affect confidence (which is a huge factor in performance). For this reason, students should not test until they are ready.

Best Strategies for Retaking the SAT or ACT

1. Analyze Your Score Report

• Did you bomb the Math section but ace the Reading and Writing?
• Did you run out of time on certain parts?
• Were careless errors your downfall?

Figure out exactly what went wrong before retaking the test.

2. Target Weaknesses with Focused Practice

• If timing was an issue, analyze and sharpen your mechanics.
• If careless mistakes cost you points, again, analyze and sharpen your mechanics.
• If you struggled with certain concepts, drill those topics (e.g., critical reading, areas of math, etc.).

3. Use Expert Help

If you can budget it, getting professional guidance is the most effective way to raise your scores. The best instructors can help you:

• Break past score plateaus
• Learn professional test-taking techniques
• Avoid common traps

Call us at (844) 672-PREP.

Final Verdict: Should You Retake the SAT or ACT?

If you’re anywhere below your goal score, and you’re determined to reach it, the answer is YES—with a strategy. Retaking the SAT or ACT (especially with professional prep) is one of the easiest ways to increase your chances of college admission and scholarships.

But don’t just retake it for the sake of it. Prepare professionally, stay focused, and attack the test with confidence.

The Best Test Prep will make you into such a professional test-taker that you might want to complain the test isn’t hard enough.

📞 Call (844) 672-PREP today.