<p>According to rough estimate we have to get raw score of 43 out of 50 in Mathematics level II, 67 out of 75 in physics, 81 out of 85 in chemistry to get a score of 800. An extraordinary student who gets a all questions right is at disadvantage because he is grouped with students who get just enough to score
800. Isn't this unfair?</p>
<p>are you kidding?</p>
<p>isn't percentile a factor as well? It shows where you stand among a group of test takers..</p>
<p>it wouldnt make a difference because percentiles are based on your 200-800 score, not your raw score.</p>
<p>is that so? I thought percentiles were based on raw scores....</p>
<p>the charts that they give always show it in comparison to the 200-800, so thats what im assuming.</p>
<p>i always thought percentages were based on your raw score, but I could be wrong.
But are you sure 43 questions will get you a perfect in Math Level 2? I think that is too low.<br>
The tests have such a curve to account for careless mistakes and to account for the fact that, if the test is information based, not all students have learned the same things in high school. Also it makes Math Level II comparable to Math Level I. Correct me if any of this wrong.</p>
<p>The way to prove that you're brilliant is not through the path of standardized testing. If you want to show that you really know your math, go do the USAMO or something :) Then, it'll be pretty obvious what kind of 800 you got on SAT II math. So yes, maybe it's a bit unfair, but the SAT ii's are only one small part of our applications.</p>
<p>I'm sorry your brilliance was tarnished by an 800. I hope you can work through the pain.</p>
<p>dude chill out not that many people even get 800's anyway with the scale we have currently</p>
<p>I never said that SAT subject tests are the only factor of importance in the college admissions process. I am fully aware they just a part of the application. But I don't understand why college board applies such a method of calculating scaled scores. In SAT Reasoning test a different and discriminating technique is applied. Only 269 of about 1.5 million seniors get a perfect score (that is .018% of the total students) whereas in SAT Mathematics II subject test 9% of the students get perfect score.( Chemistry 5% and physics 8%). Why cannot college board apply the same methodology in both SAT I & SAT II?</p>
<p>You're forgetting that every single college bound student takes the SAT I, so there is a much smaller percentage of perfect scores. But in the SAT II, only a select # of students who excel in a particular subject take them. Thus, nine percent get perfects in math iic because most of the students that take it are really good or at least competent in mathematics.</p>
<p>Very good point lakshmi52! I absolutely agree with you. However, it is difficult to believe that the difference between SAT I and SAT II is such that percent of students who get perfect score in SAT I is 500 times the percent of students who get perfect score in SAT II Mathematics. </p>
<p>Secondly, 800 in SAT Subject Mathematics cannot be called "perfect" otherwise very meaning of perfect would be defied. Only getting raw score of 43 out of 50 isn't flawless. (the same could be applied to chemistry and Physics)</p>
<p>Lastly, and most importantly, why can't the score of 800 be reserved only for those students who get all questions correct? By doing this the "value" of scores below 800 will increase and best students from group of good students<br>
will also be culled.</p>
<p>Don't forget theres also the difference in calculators and the fact that people can store formulas into their calcs. And besides, the SAT I tests your apititude, and CB takes into account the fact that we make many dumb mistakes in math, and its hard to remember everything.</p>
<p>no you can only use calculators for math, so all the formulas for physics and chem you have to remember</p>
<p>Faizan, are you just annoyed that you got a perfect raw score and your score out of 800 doesn't show that?</p>
<p>Colleges don't really care about SAT2s..</p>
<p>I suppose you´re right, a perfect score should be a perfect score. </p>
<p>This would of course be harmful to many of us, that doesn't mean you're wrong though. Anyway, if I were you I wouldn't feel sorry for your 800, I'm sure you'll still impress admission officers with your imprecise score.</p>
<p>The purpose of taking SAT subject tests is to demonstrate your excellence in a particular subject. If CollegeBoard determines that x out of y questions is excellent, then it should be regarded as so. </p>
<p>SAT Is are more about aptitude than knowledge, I'd think; SAT IIs are probably more like the AP tests in function. They demonstrate your relative ability in a particular field. A 5 on an AP test could be anything from far to perfect (on a really hard test) to perfect... but whatever you get, it shows that your understanding of the topic is superb.</p>
<p>I agree that numb mistakes are likely to be made in Math level II. And there are as likely to be made in SAT I mathematics section. But those students who do no make any mistakes prove themselves better than those who do make mistakes. </p>
<p>And as far as graphic calculator is concerned, I think this argument is absolutely irrelevant. Everyone is allowed to use any acceptable calculator he is familiar with so everyone is given equal opportunity. I can't conceive how can graphic calculator justify grouping good students with excellent ones.</p>
<p>Quote: "The purpose of taking SAT subject tests is to demonstrate your excellence in a particular subject. If CollegeBoard determines that x out of y questions is excellent, then it should be regarded as so."</p>
<p>Why can't college board apply the same reasoning in SAT I mathematics section. Does college board considers 54 out of 54 correct in SAT I excellent whereas considers in M level II 43 out of 50 excellent? If so why this arbitrariness?</p>