<p>My son is a high school junior and took the Math I Sat II and Chemistry SAT II at the end of his sophomore year. He scored a 750 on Math I and a 680 on Chemistry. Are these scores good enough for colleges such as Wesleyan (in CT) and Hamilton? In general, how important are SAT II scores for schools at this level?</p>
<p>Thank-you!</p>
<p>They may matter less at LACs than at top private research universities, but they do matter slightly. It is a good idea to have two or three good scores in case you want to apply to schools that require them. However, keep in mind that some schools require every SAT II score, so don’t take subjects you are weak in. </p>
<p>Math I is not terribly useful, although 750 is a good score. I would have your son retake Chemistry and take Math II in his senior year, and, perhaps, add a social science (world/US history, or lit).</p>
<p>Thank you for your advice, JuniorMint. Is Math II really more useful than Math I at a Hamilton-type school? I am trying to limit the number of SAT IIs my son takes, since he’ll also be taking the SAT this spring and I would rather not have him take SAT IIs in his senior year. He didn’t like his Chemistry class and only took the Chem SAT II because the course supposedly was geared for the SAT II exam. I really can’t see him re-taking the Chem SAT II. Do you really think 680 is too low a score for a Hamilton-type school?</p>
<p>I appreciate your advice!</p>
<p>Math II is always more useful than Math I. Math II tests more advanced topics, and the curve is actually gentler. I would definitely suggest taking Math II instead, and he could probably score very well on it considering he got 750 on Math I.</p>
<p>I would suggest taking 3 SAT subject tests. I think the general conses is that 700+ shouldbe your goal for subject tests if you are aiming for competitive schools. 680 isn’t a bad score and Chemistry is a tough subject. What major is planning on applying is? This can affect how much weight is placed on which subject test(s).</p>
<p>Thank you, jacobjay. Although my son is only a junior, he’s thinking of majoring in Math or Computer Science in college. I think I’ll recommend that he take the Math II SAT II at the end of this school year. I will also encourage him to take another subject test. Do you think the subject tests are used to validate the applicant’s high school grades? If so, if the college is very familiar with the high school why do they need this “extra” validation? I feel as if his entire junior year is going to be spent studying for standardized tests.</p>