We recently gave some advice on handling the aftermath of bombing the SAT. One Sparkler’s frustrations came through loud and clear in the comments section of that article. AsterSelene wrote:

But what if you get a bad score the second time? Did everything on this list after the first failure. Got the SAME EXACT score on the second one.

It doesn't seem fair, does it? You plan out your study time, make your flashcards, think positive thoughts... only to receive a disappointing score once again. For AsterSelene and others in the same situation, a lack of improvement means that something is going wrong in your study efforts, but pinpointing the problem can be tricky. Here are some methods you can use to figure out what you need to do differently:

The next SAT test date is January 23. Many of those who are signed up for this one have already taken the test once or twice. If you performed way below your expectations last time, then gearing up to face the test again can be a pretty demoralizing endeavor. But it shouldn’t be. When it comes to ensuring success, your mindset about re-taking the test is just as important as the time you spend with those flashcards and practice sets. Here are a few things you can do to keep yourself upbeat while planning your next visit to the SAT testing center.

We’ve been discussing SAT scores quite a bit lately: What do they mean to your college application? Will they help you get into the school of your dreams? But one of the toughest questions that inevitably comes up when discussing scores is whether or not to retake the test. Here's an email we received from one concerned reader:

My reading score is 530, math 730 and writing 630. So I am below the 50% mark in critical reading, but above it in math and writing. Would you advise that SAT be retaken? My key grades (math, physics and chemistry) are all A, and I have an average set of extracurricular activities.