One student got 640 for SAT 2 Physics and 800 in SAT 2 math. How bad it is for
admission just from SAT 2 perspective ? Does he need to take another SAT 2 Physics
exam ?
Thanks,
SS
The student took only AP Physics 1 course which is only half of what SAT 2 exam had.
Retaking is probably not a bad idea, considering that the middle 50% of subject test scores are [740,800] according to MIT. If admitted, you or he would probably be taking 8.01 (or 8.012) first semester anyway.
Most students at Princeton scored somewhere in the 700 range so it’s probably a good idea to retake it. If the student is applying for any STEM concentrations it’s probably even more important.
For SEAS, prospective applicants are encouraged to take Math 2 and a science subject test. I’ve spoken to my regional admissions officer and she said that they want to see Math 2 and Physics. I would take retake Physics. A 650 indicates that the the student would be unable to keep up with the Physics first-year coursework at Penn SEAS.
I haven’t seen anything that indicates the weight it is given in the application process. Additionally, they have just changed to requiring Subject Tests for ACT applicants, so Admissions may be weighting subject tests differently now that all applicants have to submit it.
If it were my kid, and Penn was their top choice, I think I would want to be sure that they submitted a second subject test that was at least a 700. Since the student has a 640, I would investigate getting a tutor to help them prepare to improve their score and register for one of the upcoming testing dates.
Alternatively, could the student do better with another subject test?
If it is not going to be possible to improve that score, I would be sure to explain what happened.
The student is taking AP physics C in the senior year. Since he is going to spend another year
with advanced physics, how important is sat 2 physics score ?
Well, then taking the Subject Test was just a waste of time and money. Why would the student take a test for which he was unprepared?
If the college requires SAT Subject Tests, he may look to take the test in another subject. If the student aspires to be a engineering major, perhaps chem is a better option. If the college does not require Subject Tests, it’s less important.
Retake it.
And suddenly my first post makes no sense b/c it was originally in the MIT subforum…
I agree with skieurope’s advice; you should listen to it.
Also, I presume this “student” is your son, as you created a similar thread some time ago.
Yes this is about my son.
We are also very curious about ED vs. EA vs. RD options for MIT and other top schools. Which option will be the best ?
Regards.
The answer to which option is the best depends on many many factors, not the least of which is which school would be the best fit for him. You have to weigh how competitive an applicant he is versus his target schools and if he is willing to commit to going to an ED school if he is accepted. If he needs financial aid, this is also a consideration in his early strategy as many such applicants often choose not to apply to an ED school so they compare financial aid packages between EA schools and RD schools they get into.
Things have gotten so hyper-competitive at the elite schools that there really is not much an advantage of applying early as the numbers might suggest. Many of the early seats will go to recruited athletes, legacies, children of faculty, URM’s, international students, development and celebrity candidates and clear academic superstars. When you back these out of the numbers, the actual spots that are up for grabs is soberingly small and the early applicant pools extremely competitive. In short, make sure your son is competitive for the school he is applying to early. He should retake the physics exam or find another science test that he will score at least 750 on to be competitive for schools like MIT. Good luck with everything!
Thank you.
I disagree with one point in particular. For MIT a 700 is a good enough score, a 750 is not necessary. Admissions need to love his application. If they love it, they will look at his scores to see that he is academically able to succeed in the rigorous courses that are required at MIT. Test scores mean nothing else. It’s the essays, challenging high school classes taken, LORs, and extra curriculars that will get him into MIT. Low test scores may keep him out but high test scores are not what will get him in.
If he applies Early action to MIT and they love his application but dont like a test score they are likely to defer and wait to see if a better score gets turned in. Your son has all the way until the January test date to prepare for another SAT2.
It isn’t that hard to learn the material for the SAT2 Physics test. There are prep books. AP Physics 1 class should have covered all but 3 units which can be self studied. If a kid is not motivated enough to figure this out and and learn what is needed are they ready for the challenge of MIT?