<p>Ok, so I applied to Stanford, Yale, UPenn, and Tufts via the Common Application. Under the Subject Tests part, I said that I would take the Literature Subject Test in January.... However, I just took a practice test and did terribly.... Will these colleges look down on me if they don't receive this score? I really don't want to take the test but I don't know what to do!!!!!</p>
<p>Well, I would take it anyway if I were you. You probably signed something at the end of the Common Application stating that everything on the application was true.<br>
By common sense, you’d be falsifying your application by not taking this test.
It probably won’t hurt you that much, but obviously it can’t help you.</p>
<p>You aren’t bound by the Common App to take a test you predicted you would take. Anytime you have to attest to the truth of your statements, you are saying all facts in being are true; obviously, there is no way to guarantee the truth and accuracy of predictions of future facts.</p>
<p>1 - Do you need an additional subject test, and if yes, do you have a plan for what subject you can take instead of Lit? As long as you are registered to take a subject test, you can change the type of test on Saturday (except you can’t change to language with listening). Talk to your test site administrator in advance to avoid uncertainty. [SAT</a> Changes - How to change test, test site, or test date](<a href=“http://sat.collegeboard.com/register/registration-changes]SAT”>http://sat.collegeboard.com/register/registration-changes)</p>
<p>2 - Is it possible you are being too hasty in your evaluation of the Lit test? One practice test is hardly a reliable basis for concluding you’ll perform terribly! It is generally considered “ripe” for taking after junior year. It doesn’t test your knowledge of specific pieces of literature–it requires critical analysis of given passages and a general knowledge of literary themes, genres, etc. College Board says, “Please note that this test reflects what is commonly taught in high school. Due to differences in high school classes, its likely that most students will find that some questions are on topics theyre not familiar with. This is nothing to worry about. You do not have to get every question correct to receive the highest score (800) for the test. Many students do well despite not having studied every topic covered.”<br>
[Literature</a> Subject Test - SAT Subject Test in English Literature Practice Questions](<a href=“http://sat.collegeboard.com/practice/sat-subject-test-preparation/english-literature]Literature”>http://sat.collegeboard.com/practice/sat-subject-test-preparation/english-literature)</p>
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<p>You must’ve scored well on the CR section of the SAT to be shooting for Ivy/top schools. Was that a forced effort (indicating you may have a valid basis for feeling vulnerable) or have you consistently performed well on CR testing over the years (indicating you shouldn’t have an issue with this test). </p>
<p>As you’re shooting for top schools, it’s probably a good idea to be sure to run this by your GC.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>If you can’t score a 700+, you would be wasting a Saturday morning, and more importantly, hurting your chances of admissions at those schools. For some, the Lit test is brutal (every year there are posts on cc from kids who score <600, but earn a 5 on the AP test), and a ~600 will not be well received by your college list.</p>
<p>I don’t necessarily NEED to take the exam since I’ve taken Math II (790), US History (expect 780 or above), and Spanish with Listening (790), although Spanish isn’t that impressive because I’m Hispanic… but on my practice test for Lit I got a 640… I think I’m going to take more practice tests and see if I improve and then go from there… Is it a fairly acceptable assumption that if I get low 700’s (which I might not even be able to do), they won’t hurt me that much considering my scores on the other tests? Any more advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>A score in the mid-600s is not stellar, but it’s not bad either. Very few people do well on the Lit test, so your projected score would put you at, what, the 70th percentile? Slightly below that, I think. That won’t look too good, but as you already have three very good subject test scores, it won’t really kill you. Not taking the test would be worse.</p>
<p>As bluebayou said, 700+ is generally considered the threshold on subject tests for top schools. Here’s the latest score / percentile chart:</p>
<p><a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/2010-sat-subject-test-percentile-ranks.pdf[/url]”>http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/2010-sat-subject-test-percentile-ranks.pdf</a></p>
<p>If you’re not confident you can hit that mark, simply don’t take the test. </p>
<p>I don’t know of any reason why “Not taking the test would be worse.” Again, the fact you projected taking Lit on your Common App is not a dealbreaker. You aren’t required to follow through on a plan that will hurt your presentation!</p>
<p>Talk with your GC for reassurance. Students change their minds all the time about test taking; if you feel obliged to comment on it, you can always send an email to your admission reps simply stating you decided to stand on your other tests. They will be fine with that. Colleges don’t want kids spending unnecessary time and money on tests!</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>You only need two (high) scores, and Math and US History serve that purpose. Don’t waste your time. A third, non-language score, will not do anything to boost your app. Sleep in on test Saturday.</p>
<p>^Agree. If you already have two good scores on subject tests, you shouold not take another. Just because you put it on app does not mean you need to take it. The colleges only care that you provide the number of subject tests needed and you alreay have that. Stop fretting and just skip the darn test since it is pointless for you to take it.</p>
<p>TXArtemis, not taking the test would be bad because the OP has already stated that he/she will take it. This represents a commitment that cannot be shurgged off that easily.</p>
<p>Well, the opinions here definitely vary… I’ll let you guys know what I decide. Thank you for everything!</p>
<p>Ok, so my confidence has increased a little bit. For practice test #2, I got a 690. So… I’ll keep you guys posted. I think I’m going to learn as much about literary terms and subjects covered on the test (I am especially weak on poetry), as possible and take another practice test… Wish me luck!</p>
<p>Just took the test and I have no idea how I did. I left 5 blank… we’ll see lol. I’ll tell you guys how I did when I get my scores back!</p>
<p>Ok… so I got a 670 on the Literature Subject Test. That’s just fantastic. And after restudying for US History for a month… I got a 710… that’s 0 points better than when I took it in November after not having studied at all… Love my life.</p>