<p>DS seems likely (based on PSATs and practice SAT tests) to score in the mid-700s on Critical Reading (and Writing), but in the mid-500s on Math. Compared to a student who scored 650-650, would DS be helped more by the high Reading score than hurt by the low Math score, or vice versa, or would it be unlikely to matter, or would the perception vary widely by school? Certainly he's focusing on trying to bring up the Math score, but I'm curious as to how his scores will be viewed if they don't change much.</p>
<p>Do you think that intended major would factor in? He wants to major in environmental science or environmental studies. Because of his strength in science, he will also take the ACT, on which he may fare better. Thanks!</p>
<p>My older son is an Environmental Science major and he found the ACT a better test for him than the SAT. He however had decent Math scores on both tests, but the science section is where he excelled. If your DS does better on the ACT, I would only send in the ACT score. That is what my son did. It will depend if the school and if they require all scores or not.</p>
<p>My school releases SAT scores and acceptance/denies for colleges.
I saw a trend that if one person does extrememly well (700+) on one section but poorly (600-) on the other section, that person got rejected.
whereas if another person got about 650 for each, that person got accepted to the same college.
So I think it is better to have similar scores than extreme.
But remember that it’s not always that way either. </p>
<p>You could also try the ACT, since some people (like me) tend to do better on it. For example, my SAT was also really imbalanced (800 on math, ~550-600 on reading/writing which I improved slightly) but on the ACT I got 30-31 on reading/writing, which corresponds to around 650-700.</p>
<p>My S2’s lopsided SAT scores mirrored his grades. He’s an excellent humanities student and a decent science student…A’s and A-'s. His skill in math is respectable…ended high school with AP cal AB with a B+. His math grades were consistent Bs & B+'s. This was reflected in his SATs. He super scored an 800 cr, 770 w, and 690 m. He took the SATs 3 times to try to break a 700 in math, but his math score went from 600 to 690 to 660. His other scores were always in the 720-800 range. Still, it’s possible that with some study, your son could raise his math score. My son’s PSAT m score was a 620, so he gained 70 points with review. I also agree with those above suggesting he take the ACT. There are some threads here about the best books for the math section. Take a look.</p>
<p>Also, take heart: As far as my son’s college admissions experience in the last cycle, we weren’t sure how he’d fare bc of his lopsidedness, but he did very well. He also had 3 SAT2 scores in world history, history and lit that were very strong (760-800), which certainly strengthen his stated desire to major in English and history. He was accepted to 4 universities ranked in the top 14-to-27 and deferred from one (from which he withdrew), and rejected by none. He was a finalist for a merit scholarship at two of those schools, one full tuition. So these schools, which had acceptance rates from 9-19%, overlooked his B/B+'s in math and the 110 point spread in his SATs. But his strongest grades and scores supported his intended majors. That’s one reason for your son to try the ACT…it has a science section where he can prove his ability. He should probably also take the bio SAT2. </p>