<p>How would really bad sat subject scores look to a top UC school? I know they require it, but do they put a lot of emphasis on them? Would they just consider a bad score (and I mean really bad score like below 550) neutral or count it as a negative? For example: a student received an A both semesters in his or her chemistry class and is currently taking AP Chem, but they received a 510 on the subject test. How would this look at admissions people?</p>
<p>UCs unfortunately do weigh SAT IIs pretty heavily...most schools don't place as much emphasis, at least in my knowledge. Their point system is really unique and I don't know much detail about it, since I'm not applying to UCs. </p>
<p>In your example, the admissions may likely judge your school to be overly lenient on the grading, a fact not contradicted by the student's SAT result.
Again it all depends on the situation but if I were in the place of the adcom that's the impression I would get. </p>
<p>Hope this helped.</p>
<p>thankx, anybody else?</p>
<p>I'm no admissions officer, but A's in chemistry, and 550 on the Subject test just doesn't add up. </p>
<p>The curve on those tests is very lenient thus your grades contradict your subject test scores pretty badly.</p>
<p>True, low test scores do contradict the competitiveness of your chem classes. But then, some people are just weak test takers. For example, I got better grades in math than my friend (we are in the same class) and she often needed my help on her hw and yet my score on the PSAT is 20% below hers. I don't get it.
Anyhow, buy some of those SAT subject books from Princeton Review, Barron, or Kaplan, and study. Learn their strageties. And if want to a better score (and I think colleges look at the better score), definitely retake it.</p>
<p>I dunno if this helps, but I have to say the chemistry department at my school is not that strong, especially for students who take regular chemistry. I talked to my college conselor and he advised me not to take the chemistry subject test, because apparently schools focus on different parts of chemistry. Thus, the chemistry subject test focuses on everything, not just some specific stuff. I dunno he said something like that, but I know it was my fault for taking it anyways. Dunno if the admissions ppl know this, but that's just what I know. Oh and I'm taking AP Chemistry right now if that helps any.</p>
<p>sfboy987: That is true. However lots of tech-related schools require either Chemistry, Physics or/ combined with Math. If you're not applying to places with heavy emphasis on science your chemistry score shouldn't hurt you too much. If you get 4-5 on AP Chem that would definitely help...but remember they get your SAT before your AP scores.</p>
<p>I'm not an admissions counselor either, but what I've heard is that the SAT II does not necessarily undercut the competitiveness of your class, but rather the curriculum of your school. My d's high school is known as a tough one, and kids get into top rated schools as science, math & engineering students all the time, yet they don't all do well on the SAT II's in the sciences. That's because the school focuses in depth on only parts of what's tested on the II's; they don't "teach to the test". </p>
<p>Therefore, a bad score doesn't necessarily mean that there's grade inflation but rather that the curriculum is different. Colleges, especially ones that have a history of accepting kids from your high school, know this.</p>
<p>that is precisely why i did not take the SAT II chemistry....i may major in chem but dont think ive had enough of the chem course to do well....i would have missed concepts and then my great grade would look bad...</p>
<p>err, im not sure if it''l hurt tooooo bad, but i know that you dont need a course in it to do well....i just used a book and got a 730. Barrons works. Use it, study, and get 700+</p>
<p>^Precisely. Just one prep book will be enough for anyone to score 700+, without preparation in regular courses, although high school courses in the subject tests do help a lot if you've got them.</p>
<p>730 if fine rite, no need to reatke or anything? Maybe anything 700+ is good enough. I heard that for SAT IIs above 700 it dont matter much. But for SAT Is it does matter(for this every point counts). Is this correct?</p>
<p>^For SAT I, the higher the score goes, the less distinction. Thusly; </p>
<p>A 1600 and 1800 have a huge difference in many cases, while a
2100 and 2300 don't have as much difference. It's an aptitude test, not an achievement test.</p>
<p>
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Just one prep book will be enough for anyone to score 700+, without preparation in regular courses,
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<p>Please don't be so arrogant. It may be enough for you, but it's certainly not enough for others, particularly for those for whom science may not come so easily. If it were simply that easy, then everyone would have over 700.</p>
<p>^^ very true</p>