<p>I'm a high school junior. I attend Concord Academy. I have not taken any sort of SAT-preparation course. I have signed up to take the SAT in January. I took a practice test a few weeks ago, and just received the scores back. </p>
<p>My writing score is a 710. My reading score is a 780. And my math score is, unfortunately, a 550. Although my school isn't known for its rigor when it comes to mathematics, I have never earned below a B+ in a math course before. Obviously I have some catching up to do.
I'm more interested in humanities than in science or math, but I don't commit myself to any one field at such a young age. My interest is in English or Psychology; the latter I know requires some mastery of math. </p>
<p>I'd like to apply to some competitive schools like Yale and Brown. I am well aware that I would need to raise my math score to be admitted there. I'm also interested in Amherst and Scripps. Anyway, how dreadful of a score is a 550? And how likely is it that high writing and reading scores could supplement for a lower math one? I'm quite confident I could raise my writing score. I didn't study at all so didn't know anything about writing the essay; it was just guesswork. </p>
<p>No offense, but a 550 in math is pretty bad, but not bad enough to screw you over. If you were to raise it to about 700, and get 760+ on Writing and 800 on Reading, then you could get into some good schools.</p>
<p>For Yale, Amherst and Brown, you’ll need over a 650 on the math section (unless you have a really good reason) but your other scores are about right. For Scripps, your math score needs to be 600+ (that school is more humanities oriented and not quite as selective so you have a bit more leeway than the first two.) Don’t paint yourself into a corner by setting your sights on tough schools, make sure to apply for potential matches and a safety or two as well. It sounds like you’re on the east coast, but the UC’s have a program on par with top-tier schools with a bit more leeway in admissions, so look into those when you get ready to apply. </p>
<p>A 550 is well above the national average, and the test is meant to be challenging, so that is not a dreadful score. Look at your score reports to see what you need to work on. You did better than me on the math so don’t beat yourself up over it, you have more time (I’m a senior with one last chance, you’re still a junior.)</p>
<p>Try to get it on par with your other scores. A 700+ would be ideal, but 650+ would be fine. I have a friend who’s dreadful at math and had the same issue, but she managed to get a 2300+ score. There’s hope!</p>
<p>Have you taken the ACT? It puts less weight on math and, imo, is a lot less tricky when it comes to math. So, if you do okay in math class you’ll likely be successful on the test.</p>
<p>Otherwise, yeah, those scores need to come up to get into a big name college like you’re interested in. Your other scores aren’t high enough to bring up a math score by that much but if you can get to the mid 600’s that could be a different story.</p>
<p>I haven’t taken the ACT. I have heard that it’s a better test for people more humanities-inclined, although I’ve also heard it includes a science section. I really don’t know much about it. Maybe it’s worth trying!</p>
<p>If you don’t have a hook like great athletics or interest in some niche program that they want to expand, I doubt that a 650 in math would help your cause. And I can’t see how a 550 wouldn’t “screw you over” at an Ivy or top private college unless again, you’ve got a super special hook. </p>
<p>Math rigor at your school should not be the issue. The math on the SAT is what most students would be done with sophomore year, and advanced students would have finished it in 9th or even 8th grade. This makes it worse for some, as they are very much past the math in the SAT and SAT Math II tests and they need to refresh their memories.</p>
<p>And I’m confused - this is just a practice test score? If so, what does the place you took the test at think? Do you have an analysis as to why you did so poor in math? </p>
<p>How did you do on the PSAT, or did you not take it?</p>
<p>I work at a middling school, and a 550 in math on the SAT would require taking two levels of math at the college before starting calculus, and would disqualify you from taking freshman science courses which are required for every major. You can equate it to graduating at least a semester late.</p>