Answer to Quora Question: "Why do people take the SAT/ACT multiple times?"

Why do people take the SAT/ACT multiple times?

They want to improve their SAT/ACT scores. Both tests are based on math, reading, grammar, etc. - all things you can improve with practice. Also, practicing those particular tests by taking them will can greatly improve your scores in later attempts, since you’ll be familiar with how the questions are presented to you, and what you’ll be expected to do.


There are also factors that depend random events that might make it desirable for you retake the ACT or SAT. Some such events might deal with your health- you’re sick on the test day, but not sick enough to stay home, so you take test when you feel like dirt. You could have a death in the family, experience a breakup with your significant other, or have some other emotional problem that might distract you from the test. You might get into a car accident on the way to the test, or the car might break down. Even if they let you into the test late (I don’t believe they do), that probably wouldn’t be your best test score if you retook the test.


The SAT/ACT both allow you to pick and choose what scores to send, so many schools will only see your highest scores, although some schools require you report all your SAT and ACT scores. Some schools even offer “superscoring” so you can combine the highest scores from different sections. You’d have to take the ACT or SAT more than once for these things to help you.
Those are at least some of the reasons people take the SAT and ACT multiple times. Hope this helps!