<p>I just got my scores back from my SAT II. I got a 720 in physics and a 710 in world history. I really wanted to get a 770 or above, but obviously that didn't work out so well. I want to retake it in October (I'm applying early action), but my parents are REALLY reluctant to allow me to retake it because of money issues. Do you think I can still get into top 10 schools with these scores? </p>
<p>This is a thread I had made earlier that will give you an idea of my extracurriculars/GPA ect. </p>
<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1348515-chance-harvard-hopeful-schools-other-than-harvard.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1348515-chance-harvard-hopeful-schools-other-than-harvard.html</a></p>
<p>I actually have to take Math II to apply for MIT, so I'm going to take that in Oct, but should I take physics again? Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>720 in physics is a good score. College admission officers know that it’s one of the most difficult subject tests. So is World History, by the way (which was totally surprising, at least to me). From what I’ve researched, SAT IIs aren’t as important as the SAT I or your GPA. Your SAT II scores aren’t going to make or break you.</p>
<p>If you do decide to retake, make sure you prep before you take Physics. Don’t just take it cold.</p>
<p>Your SAT-1 looks low. You’re better off focusing on that. Physics is a pain in the *** so trying to relearn optics, E&M, etc. is probably not a good use of limited time.</p>
<p>Although personally I wouldn’t be that satisfied with a 720 physics, one must realize that it’s probably one of the hardest subject tests there is.</p>
<p>The thing is, consider your SATI score. That is very important compared to SAT IIs. If your SATI score is low (or you haven’t taken any yet), I recommend getting that done first before considering retakes of SAT IIs. </p>
<p>(seriously. For some reason Collegeboard’s physics offerings are not easy: Physics Subject Test, AP Physics C, you get the idea)</p>
<p>I just finished taking AP Physics B before I took the SAT II test (but I didn’t study for it, which was probably a bad choice). I thought the SAT II was difficult because it focused quite a bit on modern physics (which we only skimmed over in AP Physics). I also suck at optics, which made up a lot of the SAT II as well. I’m taking Physics C next year, but I doubt it will help me on the SAT II.</p>
<p>Also, I did retake the ACT this June, so I will see how my scores turn out. I actually prefer the ACT over the SAT I (probably since I am from the Midwest, and my school has been focused on it more than the SAT). I got a 32 the first time, and I’m hoping for a 34+</p>
<p>Thanks for all the input everyone. I’ll have to see how my ACT scores turn out I guess, since if I have to take that again, I might as well focus on that instead of SAT IIs. </p>
<p>If anyone else has an opinion, feel free to add to the discussion!</p>
<p>I know this is an old thread, but I really need some advice on which SAT II tests to take.</p>
<p>I’m actually planning on applying to Yale SCEA, so I don’t need the SAT II’s quite this early since they don’t require it, but I am also planning on applying to at least Harvard and MIT RD (Havard requires 2 SAT II’s), so I figured that I should try and get these subject tests done either in the Oct. or Nov. sitting.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure that I’m taking Math II so that I can have a chance to apply to MIT.</p>
<p>For the second test, I’m not sure to retake my physics or world history, or go and take the Chinese test. I just finished an intensive language program this summer (NSLIY) and I feel pretty confident in my Chinese skills so I can probably score 750+ on it…</p>
<p>I’m pretty weak in my math skills so it’s going to mean a lot of studying for me…I could probably do reasonably well on physics or world history if I studied some more, but I’m not so sure…</p>
<p>I’m really torn between what to do, and any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>Oh also, do you guys think that a 720 physics will break my admissions to schools like MIT, Yale, or Harvard? I heard that 750+ is a good score, but I’m still 30 points away 
My ACT score is pretty solid 33, and I have a 4.0 GPA. I also have all 5’s in my AP exams (phys B, euro, stats, and macroecon), except for world history (which i got a 4 in) probably because I self studied that one (more like look over the review book a week before the exam :P)…just really getting stressed out over these tests :’(</p>
<p>Your scores are decent enough. Schools like MIT, Yale, and Harvard look a lot at what you do outside of academics and how you present yourself through your academic statement, so make sure those parts of your app are as solid as possible. </p>
<p>Btw, just a note, if you get even 2 wrong on the Chinese SAT, say goodbye to a 750+ 
</p>
<p>Also, what’re you majoring in?</p>
<p>Oh yah, I heard that the Chinese test is hard since a lot of native speakers take it :/</p>
<p>I’m planning on going into Cognitive Science and Linguistics…I want to study Chinese in college, and another language if I have room (Korean or Arabic).</p>
<p>Yeah my friend took it, and he got a 770. He’s really good at Chinese though. He probably just made a silly error. </p>
<p>Oh, I might major in Cognitive Science too 
isn’t that more of biology though? I’m not too sure.</p>
<p>I have learned Chinese ever since I was small because I am Asian and have Asian parents 
But I still got a 770 idk why i did think the test was slightly difficult, but it looks like its really easy to mess up on several places. </p>
<p>Also, I got an 800 on Math II and I really think that it was the easiest of all the SAT IIs that I took mainly because its not too difficult to study considering you probably already did some studying for SAT/ACT and also you can get around 5 or 6 wrong and still have an 800. So there is a good margin of error as well.</p>
<p>Anyway, good luck!</p>