<p>I was really hoping for an 800 in physics, but I wouldn't have bothered to retake if I got like a 790. A 770 is just..... Also, please be aware that I am looking to apply to the top universities in the U.S., and math and science are my strong subjects, unlike English or history. </p>
<p>If I were to retake, would colleges see both scores or just the score that I want them to see? In other words, would they know that I took the test twice?</p>
<p>bump…</p>
<p>I think you’d be crazy if you retook it, but that’s just me lol. If you really want to take it, then do it. If you think in some way that 30 points will make a difference, then take it. If you don’t think a near-perfect score is good enough, then take it.</p>
<p>It’s just a number! That’s an amazing score, and a retake probably won’t affect you too much since it’s so high already.</p>
<p>well as you might know, physics usually has a really lenient curve, so a 770 would probably be somewhere around the 75th percentile, which isn’t that great, and I am pretty sure colleges know about that. Furthermore, math and physics are two my strongest subjects, so I feel that I need to do really well on those two subject tests ( I already got an 800 on Math IIC).</p>
<p>I’m in the same position as you, but with a 770 in both Bio and Chem, as well as 790 (gah) in Math 2. Math and science are also my strong subjects, and my grades in school do reflect that. I’m leaning towards not retaking, though. Here are my reasons that I’m trying to convince myself with:</p>
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<li><p>I’m pretty sure all colleges view your grades and rigor of courses with much higher regard than subject test scores, which are often optional. If you’re doing well in a physics class in school, for example, that should be enough to show colleges that you know your stuff.</p></li>
<li><p>There is no college that would reject someone solely because they have a 770 instead of a 790/800. Sure, it’s not AS impressive. But it really doesn’t make that much of a difference compared to the rest of your application. On MIT’s website, they specifically said that a 750 and 800 are viewed the same way. A 770 isn’t going to hurt you. My friend was accepted into Wash U for a chemistry major with a 760 on the chem subject test.</p></li>
<li><p>It’s entirely possible that you get the same score (or even do worse) on the retake. There’s just no way of knowing. What if the test is harder for you, or focuses more on areas that you’re not as comfortable with? Imagine the frustration of that happening, and all the wasted time that could be spent elsewhere.</p></li>
<li><p>That brings me to my final point- the time spent studying for the retake (assuming that you’re going to take time to prepare) could be spent perfecting other parts of your application that matter more. Essays, extracurriculars, studying more to get a better grade in class, etc. Subject tests are only a tiny part of your application. It would be a shame to let something else fall behind because you’re busy studying for the retake. Remember that you’ll have a lot on your plate the fall of your senior year.</p></li>
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<ol>
<li>True.</li>
<li>Very interesting. Can you link the page on the mit website where they said that a 750 and 800 are viewed the same way?</li>
<li>I am pretty sure that I am capable of getting an 800 because I took the physics Sat II right after the finals in my school, and I literally only spent 3 hours studying the day before the test. </li>
<li> I am going into 11th grade in september, so I haven’t started my applications yet. I probably won’t be busy in October which is the next time for the Sat II subject tests. </li>
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<p>Anyways, thanks for your response. I think I am leaning a little bit towards not retaking now, but I am still not sure.</p>
<p>770 won’t stop you from doing anything. relax. better do something else better.</p>