<p>Everything I heard from colleges made me believe that SAT II scores were not that important and scores above 700 were perfectly acceptable. Heck, even MIT's website notes that there is no practical difference between a 720 and a 760.</p>
<h2>Based on this information, I decided not to prepare for my first three SAT IIs, and I scored a 730/730/800. At first, I was very pleased with these scores, but almost everybody on College Confidential seems to recommend retaking the two 730s. Is there any merit to this suggestion, or is the perfectionistic environment of College Confidential just making me paranoid?</h2>
<p>Note: I got 730s on Bio E and Lit. I got the 800 on Math II. I'll be taking SAT II Physics in October/November.</p>
<p>Honestly, the SAT II’s aren’t really that important (compared with the rest of the application) so you should be fine - 800 probably won’t give you a huge advantage. You might want to retake if you are fairly certain at hitting 800’s, but I doubt it’s necessary. I scored 740 on physics with hardly any prep and didn’t feel the need to retake.</p>
<p>$40 is a relatively large amount of money for a raise of just 20-50 points. Unless you’re looking at an increase from 650 to 750, it’s probably not worth it.</p>
<p>Although, getting an 800 is definitely better than a 710~.</p>
<p>^ Or getting a 770. I have heard that 770+ is equivalent to an 800 on SAT subject tests</p>
<p>Nevertheless, an 800 is the best score and one should always try to get it.</p>
<p>Ok… There is some controversy about retaking some 730’s, but what about a 770 and a 760 (Physics/USH)? I really flubbed these tests because of an athletic state championship competition I had weeks prior (which I also flubbed because I got the worst 1st round draw possible), so I feel like I could pull an 800 out of atleast physics…</p>
<p>The question is, would it be worth it? I’d be taking it along with Math II which would be two “thinking” tests… I was ok with taking USH and physics together because they stress the brain differently (thinking vs fact recall)… </p>
<p>I’m also kinda upset my classmates did better than me (atleast one got double 800’s…).</p>
<p>@dougiezmd: I think the general consensus is that I need not retake the 730s. You definitely don’t need to retake a 770 and a 760. Can’t you find something better to do with your time? :)</p>
<p>Yeah why would you do that? What would happen if you did worse?</p>
<p>@mrnephew: You’re the one who said:
</p>
<p>I’d say it depends on the test. D got a 770 on the math level 2 test and plans to retake it. There is a huge curve on that test and I’m sure colleges know it. She left something like 10 questions unanswered because of lack of time (she didn’t prep) and still got a 770 because of the curve. </p>
<p>I did say that, and I maintain that this is the score you should strive for. I never mentioned that you should retake if you get a 790. Don’t take my words out of context, and refer to the “Nevertheless”.</p>
<p>Should I retake it if I got 790 math II and 740 Chemistry if I’m applying to Ivies? (and I’m going for STEM major). I know 790 is not a bad score, but since so many people get 800s and the percentile for 800 is around 83-85% so I feel like 790 might look bad to the colleges. Any suggestions? I really need help making a decision. </p>
<p>A concrete and resounding no for the math. Not familiar with chem.</p>
<p>wow retake math 2 with 790? 770? Work on your essays is more worthwhile. </p>
<p>My D took Math 2 at the end of her sophomore year when she had finished Trig/PreCalc Honors. She got a 770. In May she took it over again and scored an 800. An entire year had passed, and she was taking the Chemistry subject test anyway so it was just another hour of testing. She also felt better prepared this time and was happy she did so. To me, a lot has to do with timing. If the question is whether to re-take a 770 in fall of senior year, I’d say no, work on the essays.</p>
<p>So, from what I’m getting is that the general consensus is 730 and up, you don’t need to retake it? </p>
<p>Well how about this situation: I got a 740 on Bio E, and most likely going to get a 4 on the AP exam for bio. I’m thinking of going in biology as a major. Because I’m most likely not getting the 5, should I retake Bio E, to show that I can excel in bio? I feel like I can get a much better score because I’ll actually be studying for the exam; my teacher never went over organ systems and plants, so I’ll be studying those and those will hopefully bump up my score to hopefully atleast a 770-780+. Most of my extracurricular are more on politics (i.e. MUN and Debate) and I have little to none ECs in the sciences.</p>
<p>So basically, I was wondering if it was worth it bumping up my grade from a 740 to like a 780 to show that I am interested in bio, although my ECs show otherwise.</p>
<p>Where did you get that consensus? There are too many variables to determine whether you should retake or not. 730 is a good score, but depends on what colleges you are applying to. Browse through CC u will find 730 is not exactly competitive in many elite colleges. </p>
<p>To answer original question, in my opinion, subject tests are probably not going to be the deciding factor for admission. Subject tests are not required if you submit ACT, so there are tons of kids don’t take them. Several admission officers said to us that if subject tests’ scores are good, then send them it, if not, don’t bother. ACT alone is fine. </p>