<p>Math 2C ---- 790
Chemistry ---- 740</p>
<p>I still cannot believe I received a 790 in math, as I had taken many practice tests and received 800s on almost all of them. Would retaking either one make a difference? (The 740 in Chem is only after Chemistry Honors, not Chemistry AP, as I am a rising junior) Thanks.</p>
<p>by the way, i’m looking at UCB, UCLA, MIT, Carnegie Mellon, Michigan, Georgia Tech, USC, Caltech, Princeton, UIUC, Cornell, WashU, Duke as possibilities for college…</p>
<p>Half of those colleges don’t even need SAT IIs…like Michigan.</p>
<p>You are already ahead of 90% of college applicants even as a junior.</p>
<p>Be happy with your scores. They are good enough</p>
<p>Most colleges, including MIT, would tell you that there’s no real statistical difference between a 790 and an 800 (MIT admissions officers have been quoted saying there’s no real statistical difference between a 750 and an 800). If you were to retake the Math II, they might justifiably question whether your perfectionism is destructively obsessive or whether you really just have no life. 
Be happy.</p>
<p>As to the 740, it’s in the ballpark too. If you have nothing better to do on a Saturday, you might be happier with a retake – but bear in mind, your score is just as likely to go down on a retake.</p>
<p>There are probably better ways to strengthen your application. A meaningful science project, or tutoring inner-city kids in math, or doing some Web programming for a local nonprofit… something productive like that would make you stand out more than a handful of extra points on an SAT subject test.</p>
<p>Good luck, and don’t take CC too seriously (especially the “chance me” threads).</p>
<p>How many years of chemistry should you take before taking the SATII Chem?</p>
<p>Son only took one year of chemistry, and will take no more, so took SATII Chem this year.</p>
<p>Also, when you get your score, do they also give you a percentile, besides the three digit score?</p>
<p>Son’s AP Chem teacher told them that the AP Chem curriculum covers exactly the same material as SAT II for Chem. At most high schools, that is probably equivalent to 2 years of chemistry (regular or Honors Chem, and then AP Chem).</p>
<p>I think the score report that comes out July 6 has the percentiles. Here are the percentiles for last year’s graduating class – I think they change only slightly from year to year: <a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/sat_subject_tests_percentile_ranks_2008.pdf[/url]”>Higher Education Professionals | College Board;
<p>
[QUOTE=Montegut]
How many years of chemistry should you take before taking the SATII Chem?
[/quote]
CollegeBoard recommends “one year college preparatory course in chemistry.” After that one year, a student will probably have to self-study a few topics to be prepared for the Chem SAT II. The specific topics are listed in the [SAT</a> Subject Tests Preparation Booklet](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools)</p>
<p>Thanks, so from what I’ve gathered, the 790 Math IIC really isn’t much different than the 800, and will still be competitive at top schools such as Caltech and MIT?</p>
<p>As for the 740 Chem, I’m planning on taking Physics and possibly French too next year, so leave it alone?</p>