Carnegie Mellon Subject Tests

Colleges and Universities A-Z Carnegie Mellon University
1

Hello! I applied to Carnegie Mellon’s School of Computer Science as college #1 and the College of Engineering as college #2. I looked on their website and here are the recommended SAT Subject Tests for each college:

School of Computer Science:
Math Level II
Physics, Chemistry, or Biology

College of Engineering
Math Level II
Physics or Chemistry

I have taken the Physics, Chemistry, and Biology tests, but I only did well enough on the Biology test (I do well in classes, but not necessarily on exams because I’m not the best test taker).

If I send scores to Carnegie Mellon, would it be fine if I just sent Math II and Biology to cover the subject test recommendations for both colleges, or should I send an additional Physics or Chemistry score because the College of Engineering does not specifically recommend Biology?

I feel that my Physics and Chemistry scores do not accurately reflect my knowledge on those subjects, and the scores are relatively low, so I am wary to send those out. However, if I only send out Biology along with Math II, I’m also worried that CMU will think that I’m trying to hide something and would count that against me in admissions.

I would really appreciate it if any of you could offer insight! Thank you!

2

Here are some more details:

SAT Biology: Low 700s
SAT Chem: Mid-600s
SAT Physics: High 500s

SAT: 1400s

I have taken all these subjects in school and have gotten As (above 90%) in all of these classes, so that’s why I feel that these test scores don’t accurately reflect my knowledge. Also, I was sick when I took Chem and Physics together, so I didn’t do a great job on them.

Somehow it slipped my mind that I didn’t know how my high school sends out transcripts and secondary school reports (i.e. whether they include all my test scores or not), so I’ve sent an email to my counselor asking about that. If my school does send out my test scores with the reports, how should I keep that in mind when I choose which SAT Subject scores to send?

Thanks everyone!

3

This is a little late, (and not trying to be mean) but at this point, you really don’t have an option but to send bio. Also, the subject tests are no longer required. They are now recommended. Personally, I don’t think a subject test should matter that much, but I don’t know… I’m just a senior too. Good luck!!