<p>Idk if either one is, but on a practice test or so I've gotten 800 in Reading but only 800 in math once, and my original SAT score was about 60 points higher in reading than math. From what I've seen on this site most people are usually the other way around.
So an 800 in math seems to be not THAT uncommon, but an 800 in reading I've barely ever seen. Does anyone know if an 800 in reading but...a... not 800 in math would seem impressive (as 800 in reading is less common)? Or would most schools, realizing that many people can obtain a perfect score in math, look more highly on a perfect math score? (I'm not sure if that makes any sense but....think of it as, the officers are thinking "Well all these people can score 800s in math so it must be do-able, and thus you NOT scoring perfectly reflects YOUR faults)</p>
<p>Obviously no one would complain about either one lol, but it's something I've thought about and on which I'd like your input, CC. If you want to talk about how they view writing too, go ahead.</p>
<p>Reading is more impressive.
Math section can be taught.</p>
<p>Reading section requires vocabulary (although they aren’t words I actually use in conversation or writing) and critical thinking skills- which an be taught but not as easily.</p>
<p>To say that math doesn’t require “critical thinking” is completely and utterly ignorant. Math tools can be taught, but some of the problems (the ones that lead to an 800) require a good dose of ingenuity. </p>
<p>CR also requires critical thinking, but of a verbal reasoning rather than quantitative/spatial kind.</p>
<p>I honestly think that getting an 800 in CR is probably slightly more impressive.
If you look at the national averages, you’ll see that the math score is a little higher.
There are people whose first language isn’t English, of course.</p>
<p>Reading hands down (for competitive schools). Kids from the really good schools (which produce the competitors) are getting 800s in their math without too much sweat but less so on the reading.</p>
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<p>Well, the question technically is “Is an 800 in math or reading more impressive?” I would have to say that at Cal Tech, an 800 Math is taken for granted or brushed over as ‘okay, he’s got that, good’ (to some extent). It might be more impressive for them to see an 800 Reading (not considering the admissions aspect of it).</p>
<p>both are very impressive. but in my opinion, i think the math is (totally unbiased, even though i did get one in math haha)
in math, you can’t make ONE mistake or even skip one (unless you get a lucky curve). in CR, you can miss two, maybe even three or four, and still get an 800.</p>
<p>depends on who you are and what you want to do.</p>
<p>Bucking perceived stereotypes can be seen as positive, so a non-Asian girl with an 800 math can benefit from that, similarly, an Asian male with 800 reading.</p>