Can someone explain SAT 2's to me?

Test Preparation SAT Subject Test Preparation
1

<p>Hey guys!
So, I'm a little confused at how colleges would look at my SAT 2's. I got a 770 in both Math 2 and Bio. I was told a 770 in Math 2 is bad because of such a low percentile - but, it's only 30 points away from perfect, right? So is it considered a low score or a high score? Following that same path of logic, would a 770 on Bio be considered a much better score because of its higher percentile? How do colleges analyze these scores?
Thanks for the clarification!</p>

2

<p>They’re both fine for any school. Percentiles are useless for subject tests because the test-takers are so self-selected. (only a few colleges require any, and people typically only take the tests they feel they can do the best on)</p>

<p>Definitely don’t retake. It will NOT make a difference.</p>

3

<p>Thanks! So basically I should just consider my scaled score above anything else?</p>

4

<p>Yes. Usually 750+ is a competitive score for the top colleges. You don’t need to retake.</p>

5

<p>Where are you applying?</p>

6

<p>I have a similar question. Which is better, a 780 Chem or 750 Lit? Chemistry was 86th percentile while Lit was 94th. Is the scaled score more important or is it the percentile?</p>

7

<p>^^^look at post #2. Someone already answered that question</p>

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<p>They didn’t, really.</p>

9

<p>It is what you are applying for that is more important. If you are applying to an engineering school, they don’t need your english lit but on the other hand, if you are applying to a liberal arts school planning to major in literature…</p>

10

<p>Those are awesome scores! 750+ is competitive for Ivy League, while 700+ is competitive for any school, to put everything in perspective.</p>

11

<p>“percentile are useless”</p>

<p>that summed it up in a nutshell buddy</p>

12

<p>But how can they be useless? If you score in like the 97th percentile, it shows you are better than 97 percent of the people who already know a lot about the subject.</p>

13

<p>because the precentiles for different subjects are all over the place. A 760 in Chinese is good for a non-native, right? But look at the perentile. 25th percentile. That looks pretty bad, doesnt it? You see, the percentile is extremely misleading here.</p>

<p>Now lets look at Math I. A 690 would be in the 80th percentile. 80th percentile, better than the 25th on the Chinese test. BUt if someone came on these threads and asked which (if any) they shoud retake, most people would say “retake Math I, Chinese is okay”.</p>

<p>So in conclusion, it is the score, not the percentile, that matters more.</p>

14

<p>^I see, I see. Good point.</p>