<p>Here are my scores so far:
Math- 620
Writing- 630
Reading- 700</p>
<p>Math I SAT2- 720
Math II SAT2- 690</p>
<p>What scores should I aim for? I mean, I know that each college is different, but I want to apply to Ivy Leagues. Should I retake the SAT II's? I am already retaking the SAT 1. </p>
<p>Here are the schools that I am considering for a major in Biology:
Brown Univeristy
Carnegie Melon University
Cornell University
Emory University
MIT
Tufts University
Wesleyan University</p>
<p>I really don't understand why I got the scores I did...I feel like I'm really smart, and I've had straight A's since 6th grade. Will colleges look at my high school grades and not shut be down just because of my SAT 1 and 2 scores?</p>
<p>If you feel like you're so smart, then why not take a look at your school's curriculum and see if its really challenging you, then take a look at the curricula that challenge students who get higher scores and compare the two curriculum.</p>
<p>I would really work on those scores if you want to attend an Ivy League school. Both SAT 1 and 2's could use some work.</p>
<p>SAT doesn't measure how smart someone is. It isn't uncommon that a good student does poorly on the SAT. A lot of doing well on the SAT is knowing how it is designed and what it is testing do on (IE: your ability to reason, pick out important information, etc.). </p>
<p>The subject tests are a little different but if you want to get to the next level then you need to practice the types of questions. The majority of students who don't study will not receive terribly high scores.</p>
<p>Best way to get a good score is getting study books and practicing the types of questions that will be on the tests. If you haven't studied that way for any of these yet and you are still a junior then I think you potentially have a lot of room for improvement. </p>
<p>There is no set bar you need to get over in terms of scores but to be competitive at most of those colleges you probaly want to be 700+ for each item.</p>
<p>I really didn't mean to sound cocky, you guys. I'm sorry. :-)</p>
<p>I think my main problem is finishing with enough time. On both SAT II's and on the SAT 1 I ran out of time for every section. Do you guys have any suggestions for pacing better?</p>
<p>Another question: Do schools look at your top scores for each category of the SAT 1? So, I'm good with CR already? I just need to improve the math and writing?</p>
<p>For the SAT I, I'd suggest buying a book full of practice tests and just doing one after another.
As for pacing, the only way you can get faster is if you know all the vocab and math and grammar rules. So unless you're a big time reader, go over the vocabulary lists, go over the grammar, go over a cliff notes algebra 2 and geometry.<br>
Most college do only take your top scores per subject, but I think you could still improve in CR as well. If you can get pretty close in 2200 total, you'll have a good shot at any of these universities.</p>
<p>Aria: During the tests, you NEED to learn to RACE through the questions. Doing practice tests under the proper time will help you learn to do this (or being in my Physics class, where we're given about 30 seconds per hard/mathematical multiple choice problem on a test). Make a quick dash next to ones you aren't sure about; leave the ones you don't know at all blank. When you reach the end, run back to the ones you didn't answer. If you have time left, then check the dashed ones. The key is to be efficient and quick. There's no time for checking all your answers. This works for me anyway; 760 on Bio E and 224 PSAT so far (haven't taken actual SAT yet).</p>
<p>As for SATs, you could still improve your Critical Reading (700 isn't that hot, especially for the top schools you're considering), and you shouldn't rely on superscoring, so you'll want to improve all 3. Every single school you listed is top-grade (don't take any of those as safeties), so most of your competition will have 2200+ SATs. Admissions are fierce. You're going to want an actual safety (as in 60% or above admissions rate).</p>
<p>SATs are used as a means to measure all applicants on a national scale. Unfortunately: even though you may be very intelligent compared to others in your area, it seems you pale on a national scale. You should lower your standards b/c you prolly don't have a prayer at MIT, Brown, Cornell, etc; consider some lower tier schools that aren't so hard to get in to.</p>
<p>I'm being honest, not arrogant...don't be so quick to jump on people buddy, I'm trying to give some straightforward advice: this applicant does not stand a chance at MIT (as she is) and nobody is going to deny that. SATs are used to judge applicants on a common standard...that's why they are required of every applicant. It's no excuse to say "I'm smart, but my SATs are really low"; that kind of statement is in itself contradictory. Many HS students live in geographical bubbles in terms of academic competition and therefore can not measure themselves accurately. In NY/CA/MA/PA/NJ, things are overly competitive and crazy, so some people may feel unqualified whereas they are actually quite intelligent; in some other states...it can be quite the reverse. Let's not confuse my intentions here, I'm just trying to help. The OP needs to realize how important SATs are and that there is no excuse to ignore them or downplay their relevance to the process. Of course, if she still has the opportunity to do so and the motivation to do it, she can bring those scores up to better represent herself as an applicant.</p>