I have a 630 in math...Should I even try?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Well, I don't think MIT or Caltech ever differentiated between math SAT scores that are ~750+ for exactly the reason you mentioned. Anyone can make a couple of stupid mistakes. But to get a score below 700, you have to make like 6 mistakes...

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<p>6 mistakes out of how many? 40? So if you get 34/40, you're below 700 and out of range? Hmm, it's definitely my personal opinion, but I don't think that's too bad, as long as you notice that the errors are spread out (for example, 2 errors in pre-algebra, 2 errors in algebra, 2 errors in geometry), but if they were all in geometry that would definitely be a bad sign... or if they were all labeled "difficult". In my case, I got all the easy ones correct and all the difficult ones correct, as well as all the free-response correct... it was those medium-difficulty multiple-choice questions which got me, which made me quite suspicious.</p>

<p>I think I would agree a whole lot more with the SAT if more attention were paid to what was missed rather than a single number which really doesn't give much information if within a certain range. I also think that it might be a good idea to give the harder problems more weight (so if you get a "difficult" problem correct, you're awarded 30 points, and if you get an "easy" problem correct, you're awarded 10 points); however, as is obvious, the SAT would have to be totally restructured for this to occur. Like I've said before, though, I wouldn't depend too much on any test (no matter how well it was structured) to give too accurate results.</p>

<p>(And Caltech's 25th percentile for SAT Math is 780. I was told that I had great chances at Caltech due to my record, but I believe that I was ultimately rejected because of my SAT score.)</p>

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I don't know why you've singled out MIT and Caltech here...the other top 5 schools are far worse in terms of rejecting intellectually talented students in favor of more modestly talented ones.

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<p>I singled them out because we're on the MIT forum, and I think a lot of people who apply to MIT also apply to Caltech. (In addition, these were the two schools from which I was rejected.) And of course, Caltech is very easy to pick on when it comes to the matter of SAT scores.</p>

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<p>I don't practice for SAT 1 math. I could get 800 in that since like 8th grade (at least the old ones). and it for SAT 2 math the only reason i did 15 practice was because my dad was making me do them. but 15 hours total for an 800 isn't too bad, it's not like i was spending whole winter break to do them. However, to get higher scores you DO need practice, especially if accuracy is the problem.
and accuracy is important!! it shows your control/understanding of the subject. and one tiny mistake, the whole thing is off. Now , it might be just 10 points off the SAT that no one cares about. But THAT'S how rockets that cost billions of $$ crash or go out of it's planned route because of a miscalculation.</p>

<p>phuriku makes it sound like accuracy doesn't matter. if SAT 1 math is so low, what about AIME? USAMO? IMO? accuracy DOES matter (me hating myself for consistantly making stupid mistakes like getting #1 wrong on the AIME cuz I read the problem wrong >.<).
and keep in mind that not the whole rest of US is as smart /as good at math as people around you. I mean the mean score of the population is about 520 or something. That means half of the people can't score above like 500. No one is saying that SAT is a representation of ones intelligence. I mean who even cares about SAT once you get in to college.</p>

<p>some people spend hours practice math, practicing problem solving to get better... to do well on some international math competition. in the same way, there is nothing wrong with "wasting" some hours getting more familiar with problems and increase accuracy. Or are you saying practicing math with SAT problem is wasting time, but with problems from a book isn't? Increasing accuracy on SAT helps with normal math class too, even if they are not the same level of problems. </p>

<p>doh!! it's past 12.... grr first day of school tomorrow.... EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW</p>

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<p>nevertheless, I think the OP should apply! it can't hurt. but getting a higher SAT math score would help.</p>

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I forgot to mention that I did take the ACT. I got a 35 on the math portion...

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Did you send your ACT score with your applications?</p>

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<p>Remember that MIT rejects lots of applicants with much higher SAT's. It is hard to get in. </p>

<p>Getting a 5 on BC calc as a junior is an impressive accomplishment, but pretty common among MIT applicants. So do not assume that your math SAT score was "the reason" for the denial at MIT. At that level, it is pretty hard to distinguish admitted from denied applicants.</p>

<p>That said, MIT probably has data on the subsequent performance of admitted students who were not in the highest range on math SAT. Whether ben jones will share it is another question. They must have a basis for their statements that any score that starts with a 7 is fine.</p>

<p>The high math SAT at Caltech may reflect a stronger emphasis on this test than at MIT, and it may be that high math SAT correlates with other things Caltech is looking for- like math contest results for example.</p>

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They must have a basis for their statements that any score that starts with a 7 is fine.

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Ben has said to me personally, and I believe also on this board, that MIT's internal statistics indicate that there's not a difference in math performance at MIT between students who score 700+ on the math section of the SAT.</p>

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<p>I'm in the same position. I took one practice test, got an 800, and stopped studying. The day of the test, my calculator broke, and I spent most of the first "session" trying to fix it (I was half-aware that this was not only futile, it was also dooming me, but I panicked and kept trying). The rest of the time, I was nervous and couldn't concentrate. The result? A 620. It was a really terrible experience.
I'm just planning on retaking the SAT in October, and preparing more (I'm going to bring lots of extra batteries, and I'm going to "practice" reacting to other nasty little surprises). You're obviously a more than competent math student, so I would suggest that you do the same. Think about the problems that you struggled with, and try to figure out what about the question "tricked" you.</p>

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<p>Any score that starts with a 7 is fine? Hmm. If I applied with a 710 in Math, I'm almost certain that I would be rejected, despite all my EC's and essays. I don't know. It just seems like it at least, judging from last year's RD Decision thread.</p>

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<p>jaw, take that badboy again, and hit the practice books until you go cross-eyed. Just keep doing those '10 Real SATs'. </p>

<p>There is lots of advice on test-taking strategy in the testing section of CC. I think they suggest answering all the questions in a relatively short part of your time, and then LOOKING THEM OVER for the last 45 minutes or so.

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I'm planning on retaking though it doesn't look like it will turn out well either.

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I don't think Eeyore got into MIT, but you might -- with an uptick in attitude and a little better test-proofreading.</p>

<p>I mean that with the best of intentions! Good luck.</p>

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<p>Thanks so much for the tips. I studied so much and practiced with a lot of math questions. I ended up with a 750!</p>

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<p>I think that phuriku is not lying or something with the math classes he took. Thats because to take linear algebra, discrete math, and differential equations in high school, you'll have to take cal BC in the 9th grade or something. </p>

<p>Could be wrong, though.</p>

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<p>^^not really. First of all, you don't need calculus for discrete math or linear algebra. You could take that concurrently with calculus (or during the summer.) Even if you didn't take the advanced calculus class concurrently, you could easily take a semester of each senior year after finishing calculus junior year.</p>