<p>I took the Lit Subject Test today. But I don't think it went so well...</p>
<p>As a senior, with two other Subject tests, in distinct areas (where I've gotten decent scores), I just wanted to take this to show my interest in Lit.
But a poor score, I'm afraid, will rather just show deficiency.</p>
<p>This Fall when I apply to colleges, there's only one that requires 3 tests, but it isn't my first choice school. The schools I really want to go to are also extremely competitive, but only require/suggest two subject tests.</p>
<p>My concern comes from the fact these colleges apparently do not use a formula for admission. Great!
But if I do submit a poor score on the third subject test, how can they not (at least subconsciously) get a poor impression from an unrequired even though the claim to look at two?
Is it more like, 2 is the minimum, but if more are taken, they will be evaluated by the same criteria? </p>
<p>My main question is whether I am better off canceling these scores to have a more limited but better average on my SAT subject tests. Or should I see how it goes and rely upon my other scores to bolster my chances.</p>
<p>Even if Princeton says that they want three subject test most of the time two will do.</p>
<p>If you have a low score today it could make a negative impression and if you submit it and don't get in you will think it was the reason. If you are borderline the low score may subjectively give them a reason to reject vs. if you had the two good scores they would have to come up with another reason to trash your application. </p>
<p>I believe it is best to submit you best scores only. I cancelled some of my AP scores that were lower than a 3 as I will not get credit so they can only hurt my application.</p>
<p>Couldn't you resit in November? You'd have to sign up within the next week and study pretty hard, but that is the reality of the college process. If you're applying ED there is a chance that you can get the scores rushed and into the adcom before they get to your app.</p>
<p>How good are the subject test scores you have so far? I'm thinking you should cancel lit, sign up for 3rd test in Nov., send scores you have to all schools you are applying to BEFORE the Nov. test results come out, then, if 3rd Subject score is good send that to all schools. Also, do not fill in PLAN TO TAKE TEST ON ____ if you submit any apps before Nov test, except to school requiring 3 tests. Does this make sense?</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions so far, everyone! </p>
<p>I understand that, yes a poor score will make a negative impact even if supplementary. The best advice seems to be to just cancel it and retake it later. </p>
<p>Though this is a great plan strategically, I think it may distract my attention from the actual application process. I am thinking of, instead, simply not applying to the university that requires 3 SATIIs and canceling today's score, rather than retaking Lit.
I have gotten 790 in Math IIC and 800 in Bio-E (scores I am undoubtably satisfied with). But these are subjects many people in my school successfully score in. It also portrays me as a Math-Science student which is only half the picture. I figured that Lit (which I am indeed interested in) would show my ability in another area.</p>
<p>Am I correct in this view? Are the particular subjects chosen for a SATIIs at all considered when admission officers tries to evaluate the student? Or is it more that as long as the subject areas are deemed different by the collegeboard, the officers couldn't care less what you take? Perhaps I am over inflating how the test is evaluated, and only the numerical component counts? </p>
<p>And do I gain any competitiveness from submitting 3 good scores to a school that requires only 2, when I can more easily submit 2 good scores (consider schools like Stanford and Yale, Regular Decision)?
(Sorry if that last bit sounded blatant; but really, the only reason for taking SAT IIs is to impress, and I'd rather not spend time taking the test if it has no effect in gaining admission. I'd be better of actually reading some literature :) )</p>