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Highlands Today

Students Sit For SAT More Than Once

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By MARC VALERO

Highlands Today

Published: September 19, 2008

SEBRING - As colleges and universities tighten up admissions standards, some students look to improve their acceptance chances by taking the SAT multiple times.

Sebring High senior Elke Tagesson has already sent her SAT scores to the University of North Florida.

She's knows that state colleges are tightening their admissions requirements so it's important to get the best scores possible on the college admissions exam.

Also, Tagesson is working toward a Bright Futures scholarship, which includes SAT scores among the eligibility requirements.

Tagesson said she has taken the SAT twice so far and will probably take it two or three more times.

Most students now take the SAT two or three times in order to ensure that their scores represent the best that they can do, according to the exam prep company Compass Education Group.

Currently schools can see the test scores for all attempts on the SAT, but they usually use the top combined score for admissions purposes. Starting in 2010, students will get to choose which scores are sent with their applications with the other scores being withheld.

The SAT consists of three major exam sections including reading, mathematics and writing. Each section receives a score on the scale of 200 - 800.
Highlands County SAT scores, on average, improved significantly in 2008.

The average score in all three subjects improved from 2007 to 2008 at Sebring and Lake Placid high schools. Avon Park High scores improved in both reading and writing.

Sebring High's math score (520) was higher than the Florida (497) and national (515) scores.

Also, Sebring High's writing score (495) was higher than the Florida (481) and national (494) scores.

Traditionally, state and national averages are reported using a combined score of the reading and mathematics sections only.

Even with increased student participation, Florida's average combined reading and math SAT score remained the same as last year at 993. For individual exam sections, Florida's average score was up two points in writing (481), up one point in mathematics (497) and down one point in reading (496) compared to 2007.

The SAT is a voluntary college entrance exam and scores from the test can be used for admission to a state university, the Talented 20 program, for meeting qualifications in the Bright Futures Scholarship Program or for placement into regular college courses.

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