<p>Which 800 do colleges look as more "impressive?"
Any point in taking both?</p>
<p>I just took both and received a 780 on Math IC and an 800 on Math IIC. I would recommend taking both because they contain different mathematical material and have different curves. The top 12% of those who take Math IIC still score an 800, whereas the top 1% of those taking the Math IC score as low as a 770. Therefore, an 800 on the Math IC is impressive because it shows you are relatively better than 99% of your peers. Taking the Math IIC is also recommended because it shows you can handle the more advanced material and getting an 800 shows you are in that top 12% of "math nerds" which is also impressive. :) </p>
<p>O, btw, those percentages come from <a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/about/news_info/cbsenior/yr2005/16_subj_test_percentile_ranks_0506.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/about/news_info/cbsenior/yr2005/16_subj_test_percentile_ranks_0506.pdf</a></p>
<p>Hope that helps.. if you have any more questions, feel free to im me.</p>
<p>I would have to disagree with you there. I just got back my Math II score - an 800, thankfully - but even if I had done worse, I would still have to argue against taking both exams.
Without question, the level two test is more difficult and the colleges understand it as such. Also, while the level one test may be 'easier,' it is harder to score well on; the level two has a large margin for error, you can get about 5 questions wrong and still get an 800. That is -not- true for the level one.
The point is that it is quite possible for the same student to do -worse- on the level one than on the level two, as you yourself have demonstrated. And while the percents may hold true (that the top 1% of level one testers can score as low as a 770, so an 800 shows that you are better than 99% of the takers of that test) the students taking the level two are a self-selecting group; I would think that the top percentiles of the level two testers are better math students that the level one testers in the first place because they are taking a harder exam.
And also, why would you put yourself through the pain and stress of two math SAT II's when, so far as I know, no college requires more than one?
Anyway, that's my position. Take one or the other, but not both.</p>
<p>Edit: and to anwer your original question, Tim, I think that an 800 on the level two is more impressive than an 800 on the level one. The level two is, after all, a more difficult test.</p>
<p>hmph.. my opinion stands.. if you don't want to go "through the pain and stress of two math SAT II's" then don't. It is by no means necessary to take both, but getting 800's on both is certainly more advantageous than just one or the other. If you want to take them separately so that you can cancel if you don't think you're getting 800's, that's fine too, but if you're good at math, theres really no need for that. Personally, I enjoyed taking both Math Subject Tests, IIC right after IC. Taking the IC right before the IIC can help get you in math mode and prepare you for the more advanced math, while going at a slower, easier pace. If you're set on only doing one though, I would go with Kamera and just do the Math II, because it shows that you're willing to go for the more challenging material, and then if you get an 800, it shows you're in the top 1/8 or so of Math nerds. :)</p>
<p>bottom line for a kid who gets a 740 on math sat 1, which do you recommend taking if i were to take one? Thanks.</p>
<p>I got a 720 on math level II. According to the link above, that puts me in the 64th percentile.
Does that kill my chances for admission at competitive engineering schools like MIT and Caltech? My other sat IIs are ok: 800 chemistry/750 Bio, and I have a 780 in the math SAT I, 2270 composite score.</p>
<p>I personally think MATH IIC is easier to get 800 on.
And Motherwise, I think your chances are still pretty good.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ivywest.com/satiifaq.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.ivywest.com/satiifaq.htm</a></p>
<p>Should I take the Math Level 1 or the Math Level 2 Subject Test? </p>
<p>Many students are confused by the distinction between the Math Level 1 and the Math Level 2. In general, the Math Level 2 focuses on more advanced concepts and tests those concepts in greater depth than the Math Level 1. To adjust for the difficulty of the material, however, the Math Level 2 is scaled more leniently than the Math Level 1. In theory, a 600 on the Math Level 1 represents the same level of achievement as a 600 on the Math Level 2. Part of the decision about which test to take depends on what your math preparation in school has been. If you are currently enrolled or have received at least a B in a pre-calculus course, then you are probably qualified to take the Math Level 2. If you are applying to a math or engineering program, you should definitely plan on taking the Math Level 2. </p>
<p>If math is not your specialty or you are not currently taking a math course, then you will probably feel more comfortable with the Math Level 1 exam. The content on the Math Level 1 now overlaps with that of the new SAT. As a result, many colleges will no longer accept scores from the Math Level 1 exam. The UC's, for example, will not take the Math Level 1 test as part of a student's application for admissions. When deciding whether to take the Math Level Subject Test, you should check to make sure that the schools to which you are applying will accept your scores from this test.</p>
<p>yup.. i agree with that guy..^</p>