<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I was wondering if it is better to get an even score (740 on all 3) or something like 640 (math), 800, 800</p>
<p>I know that combined, 740x3 is less than 640+800+800, but is there still a difference between the two? Which one would be 'valued' more?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>It is not my personal opinion, but I have heard that it is more impressive to have “mastered” two sections, rather than be a jack-of-all-trades, and just do decently in all three.</p>
<p>So supposedly, the 640-800-800 would appear better.</p>
<p>On the other hand, some colleges disregard the writing section. In that case, the 740-all would be seen in a better light.</p>
<p>Do your research and see how colleges qualify your scores :)</p>
<p>I mean if you are applying for an English major then def the 640 800 800, but if you wanna do like engineering or something math related, then the 3 740’s are obv better. I think that the 3 740s are better in general (only my opinion) cause it shows that you are very well rounded in your knowledge. but like gaginang said, it depends on how colleges interpret the scores</p>
<p>I think if you are applying to a science/math field then a 740 math kinda looks bad. Just my opinion…</p>
<p>740*3 gives ones better chances than 800,800,640 does.</p>
<p>
Wrong. A 800 is hardly mastery. It is better than a 740 but only very slightly. I would much rather have a 740 per section than a 640/800/800 because the 640 indicates a significant weakness and would be a significant disadvantage to a top school applicant.</p>
<p>Now…If that 640 is in the writing section then I really don’t know. a 1600 CR+M is obviously stellar and most top schols seem to indicate they only care about these two. But who can know for sure?</p>
<p>740 in each section hands down</p>
<p>Getting a 700+ in any section can certainly be considered as “mastery”. Furthermore, top universities highly value CR and Math scores, and earning a 640 in either one could hurt your chances.</p>
<p>740 100% certain b/c the M + CR combined would be 740+740=1480 vs 640+800=1440.</p>
<ol>
<li>740. 740.
800 on math is saying “i am careful, or I have studied this test”—useless anyway. and 740 is a prty solid score anyway.</li>
</ol>
<p>
</p>
<p>No, 800 is better than 740; the differential is not “useless.” </p>
<p>As I’ve been trying to convey on another thread:</p>
<p>[ul]
[<em>]Lots of factors can contribute to score differences at the very-high end (e.g., the difference between 740 and 800).
[</em>]Someone could miss an 800 because he or she made a very minor error.
[<em>]Someone could only get an 800 because he or she prepared for the test with this preparation as a staple of his or her life.
[</em>]On the other hand, someone could get a 740 because he or she didn’t know how to do three (or even two) of the questions.
[/ul]
Colleges aren’t going to randomly assign one of these reasons to an applicant’s score; there isn’t that much psychology and speculation involved. </p>
<p>Rather, they’ll just consider an 800 a little better than a 740. They won’t care why someone got the score he or she did, but they know that little factors can hurt someone’s score. As a result, they won’t automatically assume that the 800er is better at math (or whatever section) than the 740er is. But the 800er will have a slight but potentially significant advantage in the score aspect of the application review.</p>