Do high SAT subject test scores compensate for a lower SAT I score?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

I am an international student applying EA to Yale. It’s my first time taking the sat, and I scored 1420 (660 R/W, 760 Math). I wanted to know if taking chemistry and math II subject test (which I am confident to ace) will boost my chances. Thank you! :slight_smile:

2

The question is academic, since you don’t have Subject Test scores, but the short answer - no.

Yale, and schools of that tier, evaluate holistically, but you should assume that strength in one area will make up for weakness in another.

International acceptance rates at this tier of school are very low, and the competition in very high. Those international applicants who are accepted will generally have SAT scores in the 75th percentile, and a 660 is far below the 25th percentile. Spend time trying to gets the 660 higher and apply RD,
https://oir.yale.edu/sites/default/files/cds2016-2017.pdf

3

I think your test prep time is better spent on raising your SAT1 (or ACT). SAT1’s and ACT’s are the measure by which all candidates can be commonly compared. SAT2’s, while recommended, are not even required for Yale. IMO SAT2’s are used more as a validation of applicant’s high school record. Of course scoring perfect 800’s (or high 700’s) on SAT2’s are going to help, but a 1420 may not even get you past the first read for an international absent some amazing essays/ECs/internationally recognized awards.

4

I’m not up-to-speed on the new SAT, so I have to consult the SAT concordance table: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/higher-ed-brief-sat-concordance.pdf.

Accordingly, a 1420 on the new SAT is equivalent to a 2020 on the old three-part SAT. As such, from everything I know abut college admissions, your chances are “slim to none” at Yale or any ivy league school because your R/W scores indicate that you could not handle the reading and writing work load on those campuses. You need to boost your R/W score to 760 (the same as your math score) to be considered a competitive applicant for a school like Yale.

So, as others have said, don’t waste your time taking SAT 2 tests. Retake the SAT or try the ACT.