Four Tips on Bouncing Back from a Low SAT/ACT Score
Don’t give up! Make sure to try again.
Alter your study habits!
Honesty is key.
Your score is not everything!
Read more about the SAT on our blog!
Bouncing Back From A Low Test Score
Despite how it may feel, opening your SAT/ACT test scores to discover one lower than you hoped for is not the end of the world. Nor is it the end of your hopes for a score you’re happy with. Trust that more people than you think are in the same boat as you, and are looking to bounce back just the same. Here are our top tips on how:
1. Pick Yourself Up, Dust Yourself Off, and Get Ready to Try Again.
You might feel discouraged at the idea of taking the test again, but you have more tools to succeed than you had the first go around. Now, you can recall what was tricky or confusing on test day, and review your scores to see where improvements can be made. You CAN improve your score! It’s okay to feel down, but don’t stay down. Understand that these standardized tests are not intelligence tests, they’re not the end-all be-all, and you now have the insight you need to try again even more prepared than before. So dust yourself off and get ready to register again for an available date before your submission deadline.
2. Change Up Your Study Routine.
Be honest with yourself and reflect on what worked for you in preparing for your last test and what didn’t. Consider what needs more attention, and what feels solid and may need less attention. Most importantly, consider where you need to make improvements when approaching your preparations. Changing things up isn’t limited to subject or content either. If you are used to sitting down and studying for long chunks of time, try switching it up for shorter, but more frequent study sessions. If you’ve been studying at night, try it out earlier in the day. With the wind back in your sails, set forth towards a routine that works best for your learning styles and incorporates what you need to improve.
3. Don’t be Afraid to be Honest About Scores.
More likely than not, there are people all around you who are disappointed in or looking to raise their score on the SAT or ACT. You should be honest about scores because there is no score that is worth being ashamed over. You might find that others confide in you once you do in them. Additionally, talking about raising scores opens a dialogue between you and your peers or adults too. You might learn about helpful tips or resources from others when you start the conversation!
4. Remember: Schools Look at More than Your Score!
Particularly in this day and age, college admissions offices are putting less and less emphasis on test scores. If your college requires scores or you want to submit them, don’t worry if you can’t take the test again. Your GPA, extracurriculars, essay, application, and other factors contribute heavily to your profile as well. Your score does not “ruin” your application, and college admissions will consider all parts of your application.
To conclude, remember to take pause but get ready to pull yourself together again. Change up your study routine before your next test, and be honest with those around you about scores. Colleges and universities know that you are more than just your test score, so don’t get yourself down!
For SAT study tips, check out this article!
