Hi everyone, so I am aiming to get into an Ivy League (specifically Harvard) and I got a 2200 on the SAT. However, my score on the 1600 scale isn’t very good (1420) so I’m planning to retake it in June. I got a 700 in math, 720 in reading, and 780 in writing. My question is, just in case I’m unable to boost my score up as far as I’d like to (at least to a 740 for math) then can my 800 on the Math Level II Subject test make up for it? I’m planning to study astrophysics/cosmology so I’m sure they’d be concerned about a low math score, but I’m hoping they’d see the subject test and it would be okay…?
2200 is good, and if you do get 740 and get 2240 on SAT, they will not be worried about your abilities in the testing area. An 800 on math II on top of that would be an addition, but you are not making up for a bad SAT score, because it is not bad. More importantly how do you score in Calc BC or other math courses in-school?
I was under the impression that a 700 in math was low for an Ivy League, but if not, that’s great! 
I haven’t taken Calc BC yet but I’m in Adv Precalc BC and I’m either going to get an A or an A+ for the year. Plus I’m getting an A+ in AP Physics Mech C, which requires calculus. In past years (Adv Geometry and Adv Algebra 2) I’ve gotten A+s.
A 700 is really low for Ivies, seriously. Aim for a 780+
Yeah that’s what I thought. But really, a 780+? I think that’s pushing it… shouldn’t at least a 750 be enough? (740 is my absolute minimum goal)
I don’t agree…I think you’re perfectly fine. If you want, then sure you could always take another one. But, a 2200 is actually about the average at the Ivies so you’re not “really low” at all. Besides, they don’t necessarily take apart your SAT scores, like math for example, and examine it. It’s much more cumulative than that.
Seriously? Now I’m very confused haha. But I can only go up from here so I guess I don’t have to worry…?
DO NOT listen to outlooker!
Ivy’s don’t care about test scores nearly as much as we like to think. They are only looking to answer one question: will this student be able to handle our academics? Clearly, from the 800 Math score, that is a yes. I’ve seen people get into Ivy’s with much lower scores but great grades, EC’s, recs, and essays. I’ve also seen countless people with perfect or near perfect scores get rejected. It truly is a holistic admissions process, and it honestly seems almost random.
In my opinion, you dont need to worry about your scores. Make sure other, more important parts of your application stand out. That being said, it can’t hurt to raise your score. You want all of your scores to accurately reflect your academic ability. If you feel your’s don’t, then retake it. But don’t freak out.
Thank you for your input! I honestly feel that score doesn’t reflect my abilities since that day was a really off day for me and I got nearly no sleep. I’m positive I can do better, even if it’s just a little bit. Plus I also already signed up 
First of all you were correct a 750 or so on each section will be enough for IVY’s. 800 on SAT II will be just adding a little bit of more weight to your app. Try to do your best. You aren’t too far from it. A 2200 is not a bad score. Also IVY’s, as CCuser528 said, look every detail of your app like GPA, EC’s, Standarized test, and more. Good luck!
@Jr12317 thank you! I realize 2200 isn’t a bad score, it’s just on the low side so I want to bring it up as high as possible. At this point, I think the weakest part of my application is my SAT score and my APs, but everything else I’m very confident on!
An 800 on the Math Sat II will demonstrate that you are fully capable of doing any Math at any college in the Us (or the world, for that matter). A 700 more or less proves that, also. Your grades and curricular prove that you have the aptitude. Don’t listen to the people who throw out inane remarks like “You need a 780+.” The higher the better, obviously, but people get in with that score. It is relatively low for Harvard, because their median range includes so many students with superlative stats. The basic truth, known to all except stats-obsessed high school students, is that your scores meet the bar. After that, they begin looking at everything else about a student. They see that you can and will do well academically. What they look for next is what you can contribute to their community that thousands of other high-performing students cannot. Nobody can predict how that will work out.
@woogzmama Thank you! I guess it’s because I’m a worrywart (several people have told me once you reach 2200, it’s all the same after that), but I was just very concerned about being on the threshold. But like I said before, it can only go up from here, so that reassures me a lot, thank you. And I think I can confidently say that I’ve contributed to my community Hopefully the colleges agree as well, haha
You can do it. Just a few points.
@Jr12317 thanks! I started taking practice tests today