<p>As for the October Sat II's, I just got my scores back and was utterly disheartened. I received a 650 in the Physics subject test and a 680 on the Math Level II. With regards to physics, I was neutral in feelings due to the fact that I have not taken an AP Physics course, as I am attending a high school of about 300 students and had to request a physics class be added to the curriculum. As for math, I was hoping for at least a 700 because this is just slightly lower than the lower 25th percentile of all the schools to which I'm applying, but will a 680 take me out of the running? I'm currently enrolled in AP Calculus and have always gotten A's in math, even scoring a 34 both times that I took the ACT.</p>
<p>In the end, I guess my question is, will these lackluster SAT II scores be a deal breaker for the engineering departments in colleges such as MIT? I would retake the math, however, I applied early action for MIT and it would do no good. I'm hoping desperately that my ACT composite score of 33 and academic performance (attending a community college my senior year and getting straight A's in addition to being valedictorian with an unweighted 4.0 GPA) will make up for it. I appreciate any input, as I'm disappointed and would love to get a second opinion. Thanks to all!</p>
<p>(I also posted this under the "What Are My Chances?" thread, but I figured I would move it here since MIT is by far my #1 choice. Sorry for the duplicate.)</p>
<p>I would advise you to retake the math SATII. A higher score will help you in the regular pool of admissions if you get deferred. I would advise you to get a review book, because it sounds like you need practice.</p>
<p>If you haven’t taken AP physics, it’s more understandable that you didn’t do as well on that exam.</p>
<p>I truly think the key is, do you feel, and does admissions feel, that you are capable of doing the work?</p>
<p>After seeing how much homework my son is doing every week (apx. 30 hours), I can safely say that MIT is <em>hard</em>. :-)</p>
<p>My son’s a freshman. He got an 800 on the physics SAT II exam in 8th grade. He got a 760 on the Math II exam in 8th grade (which he retook to get his 800). He had a lot of college math and physics in high school.</p>
<p>Granted, he started MIT with 18.100 (analysis) and 8.012 (the hardest mechanics) in addition to his other classes, but he’s working harder than he ever knew he could, simply because of the sheer volume of work required for psets. (And heck, my son is super social and wants to have a great time with his friends, Campus Crusade for Christ, flag football, church, etc. etc, so that does add a bit to the stress of trying to do it all! LOL)</p>
<p>MIT is a great place, but I am sure admissions want to know that you are capable of what it takes to do the work once you get in.</p>
<p>Sorry for the long commentary! I would say take the Math II again, as well.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure he’s only taking 18.100A, but he’s still doing 10 hours of homework a week for this one class. He even studied analysis in high school, though I don’t know how similar it was to this class. He enjoys the class but says the professor doesn’t release the psets early enough (maybe 3 days before they’re due?) so he can’t get ahead. Actually, he said the prof was sort of senile (sorry!), but he does enjoy the subject. </p>
<p>He’s looking forward to next semester’s classes of choice, 18.440 (probability and ??) and 18.901 (topology) as well as 8.022. He thinks he’ll enjoy next semester’s classes a lot more since he’ll have more choice (hopefully). :-)</p>
<p>But, I know my son’s no perfect student, currently. He misses classes to take naps and socializes a wee bit more than he should. For those kids who live for academics, I am sure MIT is easier! LOL</p>
<p>I suppose I’ll retake the math, thanks again for the input. But my next question is, should I notify MIT that I’m retaking it or just send the scores when they’re available? The next test is December 1st and so by the time the results are in, won’t it be too late? If I’m not mistaken, I was told that there would be a verdict by December 20th or 21st.</p>
<p>Do you suggest that I retake the Physics SAT2 test in December? I only got a 620 on it. Like the original poster, I also had to self study because my school didn’t offer the AP course. Since my score on my Math SAT2 is a 750 should I just leave it alone and concentrate on other things instead? (I am taking a very rigorous courseload this year.) Or can this low score be a dealbreaker for admittance to MIT? If that’s the case I absolutely want to retake. What is your advice?</p>
<p>I don’t like to get into the business of recommending that people re-take their standardized tests, because I think in general test scores are not so critically important. I can only tell you that a 650 science SATII is significantly below the 25th percentile for MIT admits (which is a 740).</p>
<p>I was excited to hear from my AP Chemistry teacher that she is highly confident in my ability to do very well on the chemistry SATII in January. This is a relief because I thought I wouldn’t be prepared until the end of the year. Now I can stop fretting about trying to find time to continue self studying for the physics exam in order to improve my poor score from the October sitting. </p>
<p>My question is this: Did I make a mistake by applying EA, i.e., did I take a gamble that I could be rejected due to my low physics score? At the very least, can I now beg admissions to defer my application to RD if that low score is their main concern?</p>
<p>If you get rejected, it’s unlikely to be because of one SAT subject test. If you get accepted, it’s definitely not going to be because of one SAT subject test. If you get deferred, it might be because of one SAT subject test. If you get rejected during EA, it’s unlikely that an improved subject test score would have made you get accepted, EA or RD.</p>
<p>The chemistry SAT2 is fantastic. I had a lot of trouble with the biology one and wound up clicking better with chemistry. Which is hilarious because I suck at chemistry and I’m a biology major. Make sure you get a prep book and do lots of practice exams to build your confidence.</p>
<p>Don’t worry. You’ll be okay. Good luck on your Chemistry subject test. =)</p>
<p>Thanks guys, that is exactly what I wanted to hear!</p>
<p>I can’t believe how excited I am to take the Chemistry exam. I have a ridiculously hard and time consuming schedule this semester and really wasn’t sure how I was going to find time to continue self-studying physics. </p>
<p>I’m already studying chemistry! No extra work! Life is great!</p>
For those kids who live for academics, I am sure MIT is easier! LOL</p>