<p>I just got back my November Test scores and my Physics scores are just terrible. My Math II score was a 720 and I somehow got a 590 on Physics. Now i feel I have pretty much ruined my chances of getting in. How important are the SAT II scores when compared to my actual high school courses where I made A+ in Honors Physics?</p>
<p>There should be reasons why MIT requires 2 SAT subject tests without any other choices. I’m not someone who comes from MIT, but personally, as an outsider, even if the first thing attracts my attention is your A+ in honor physics, how can I be convinced that you are truly that good? I mean, your A+ and your 590 are obviously not corresponding!
I think you should take it again. If you chose to send your Nov score, and if your next score in Physics is much better, they may understand why and won’t cast doubt on your ability.</p>
<p>odeh:
i just got my bio m score back and it was 590 (for the dec. test). im still kinda shocked. i would give up on MIT if i could, but my counselors already sent out the package. hopefully, mit looks at our essays and other scores (i.e. SAT Is and other SAT IIs). btw, your math score should be alright.</p>
<p>did you end up retaking?</p>
<p>although my scores weren’t at low as yours, i have the same question. would getting a 700 in chem and 790 in math II be okay if i’m planning to major in business at MIT anyway?</p>
<p>@ Odeh - </p>
<p>You took physics last year? Send us an email pointing out that there was a long, long time between when you took physics and the test. It will help us keep that in mind. </p>
<p>@ tigerlu - </p>
<p>When did you take bio? If it’s a similar situation you may also want to email. </p>
<p>@aleeson - </p>
<p>Those scores are fine.</p>
<p>It isn’t too late to take the January SAT II tests. MIT accepts those so long as you give some indication that you’re taking the January test.</p>
<p>That being said, scores are (seemingly) important to MIT as academic cutoffs. A 590 on physics might not bode well for you if you went to Stuyvesant. Contrarily, it might be perfectly acceptable if you went to a poor school in Oakland, CA. It really depends on your environment and life experience.</p>
<p>If you can do better in the January test, take it. The deadline to sign up is December 23.</p>
<p>
This is so helpful. can we also mention it in the essays.</p>
<p>I did not know MIT considers those factors when selecting students!
@MITChris
I will be taking the subject test on January with only one semester of physics. Will MIT understand and take that into consideration?</p>
<p>Yes. The perfect place to include that sort of information is section 14 of the essay (the “anything else?” question). Just a quick note - “Please note that I am taking the Physics SAT II after only one semester of Physics” or something to that effect - will suffice. We get this all the time so people understand it, you just want to make sure we know. Seriously, that’s all you need to do.</p>
<p>May I suggest the Kaplan SAT Physics study guide? I took a physics class a year ago (a fairly popular homeschool curriculum) and three days with the kaplan guide was all that was necessary. You’ll remember the information you learned, and the test guide introduces any new concepts easily (if you want to know more specifics on something, the internet is here for a reason). I do suggest the Princeton review guide as well; it covers aspects of the test that aren’t in the kaplan version and vice versa. All of these are likely carried at your public library.</p>
<p>old thread is old</p>