<p>So I got a 2320 composite SAT score with 760 in CR, 760 in Math, and 800 in Wr my first take. I was wondering if my 760 in math will hurt my chances at Caltech - if so, I may be able to retake the SAT this December to try and raise it. I do not recall any of the questions being hard on the test, and I think I must have made a couple of careless mistakes.</p>
<p>It may also be useful to know my background with math: currently as a HS senior I am enrolled in UW's honors accelerated calculus sequence. We will cover single and multi. var. calc, diff eq, and linear algebra this year, with a fair amount of rigor (no field axioms but uniform convergence, MVT, etc.). Also, one of my recommendations will be from the math professor that taught me this past spring - we have a great relationship and he even hired me as a math tutor at the community college I was/am dual enrolled at. One more thing - I am 99% sure I will get an 800 on the SAT II math test I am taking next weekend since I scored an easy 800 on a practice test recently.</p>
<p>So, considering the class I am taking, the strong likelihood for a good recommendation from my math professor, and my probable 800 on the math II test, should I be worried about my 760 on the math section of the SAT? I also don't have any competition math results; I was never aware there were such a thing as math competitions haha.</p>
<p>You should be fine, particularly with a strong Math II score. Recognize that your scores are only one part of the picture. You’ve shown your abilities/strengths with the additional classes you have taken. It is easy to make mistakes on the SAT once you have passed that material in your classes.</p>
<p>Caltech does not accept any applicants with scores below 2450. College Board must send a personalized recommendation letter signed by the king of some small country in Europe using a pen made of kiwi bird feathers.</p>
<p>You’re most likely not going to get rejected because of your SAT score. If you score well on the SAT II math II exam, go worry about something else. Like building rockets.</p>
<p>Your math 760 will not keep you out. It IS good enough. If you took the test 3/9/13, ONE error would get you a 760 (it was a rough curve; the same happened to my son).</p>
<p>Once you hit 700, and surely 760, on a score, you have passed the threshold to get your name into the hat. At my house, we say that it entitles you to purchase a lottery ticket. No guarantees, but you can purchase a ticket.</p>
<p>SAT 2 800s are attainable (IIRC, 15% of the very much self-selected test takers get that score). Even so, getting less than 800 won’t knock you out either.</p>
<p>A 760 won’t hurt you, but once you go below 750, then it starts to be a problem. For SATII math, the score should be 800.</p>
<p>And I wouldn’t call it a lottery ticket; it’s more that your other academic achievements will determine the decision. However, the OP doesn’t have much to separate himself/herself from other applicants, so the OP will be in the same category as a lot of people with high scores and good performance in high school/intro college classes.</p>
<p>The rule of being above 700 being fine is true for MIT, not caltech.</p>