<p>What Math score is expected of a student who is qualified to get into Harvard? Now, does Harvard lower the bar for students whose focus is not math-oriented at all? Do those heavy in writing, humanities, and social sciences get a sort of "free pass" if they are strong in those areas but not in math? What is the lowest possible score on the Math portion of the SAT you can get and still get accepted or have a good chance of acceptance at Harvard?</p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>There is no defined criteria for the scores on any portion of the SAT, but the range for the middle 50% (the 25th to 75th percentile) of accepted students is 700 - 790. Of course, the very minimum expected of a realistic applicant, even if s/he is not math-oriented, should be around the mid- to high- 600s (and that’s assuming s/he compensates for it with stellar CR and W scores and outstanding SAT IIs).</p>
<p>A Harvard admission officer who spoke at my town in May 2007 said that in general, scores of 650+ in each section are competitive. Many other factors matter besides scores.</p>
<p>What about a 600 on Math? Honestly, I don’t think I can get higher than that, and I may get something less. I’ve always struggled with Math, but I’m great at the humanities and social sciences. Also, I have really good ECs (two in particular), so would that make up for the Math? Or, is Harvard not the school for me because of my weak Mathematics?</p>
<p>Get a tutor.</p>
<p>I don’t think I can afford one where I live, where most cost money. Will this hurt my chances even though I’m not a Math person?</p>
<p>what is your score?? out of 2400 or 1600 or w/e??</p>
<p>and what about SAT II’s…its not all about scores. how are your essays, recs, ecs, grade etc?</p>
<p>It’s good for your college experience wherever you go to college to know math well up to the level expected by the SAT. I often recommend ALEKS </p>
<p>[ALEKS</a> – Assessment and Learning, K-12, Higher Education, Automated Tutor, Math](<a href=“http://www.aleks.com%5DALEKS”>http://www.aleks.com) </p>
<p>to students because you can try it out for free an unlimited number of times, and it identifies exactly the areas you most need to work on. </p>
<p>Good luck in learning some more math. That will make applying to college less scary, and studying at college more enjoyable.</p>
<p>I would say AT LEAST a 700.</p>
<p>I don’t feel compelled to yell at people for doing poorly in math, since I struggled with it so much myself.
It’s not that the questions themselves are difficult, but how quickly one has to solve them.</p>
<p>I’m not math-oriented either, but after I took several (and by several, I mean like 20) SAT practice tests (only the math sections sometimes), I went from a 650 to a 780 in math. </p>
<p>I agree with kwu, the math section of the SAT is more about timing (especially if you have an ok math grade in school), so the more familiarity you have with the questions, the better you should do. Practice! Also, a tip: I found the book “Math Smart” by the Princeton Review to be particularly helpful.</p>
<p>my SAT math was low…i only took it once but i think my SAT II math score took care of that (770 math ii from a 640 SAT I score)</p>
<p>The thing is I’ve always been weak at Math; the only Math subject I’ve been suprisingly good at has been Geometry, which isn’t very Math-based as it is logic. I honestly don’t think I’ll make it to a 600, but I definitely will take many practice tests. Also, what if I get perfect scores on the Subject Tests? Will that make up for the poor Math score?</p>
<p>a 600 really isn’t that hard to get…be optimistic</p>
<p>get a prep book (u can get those for like $10) and practice. if you’re writing this now u must b at least a junior, so youve got plenty of time. just practice.</p>
<p>Well, I’m scheduled to take it January 26, so it’s getting closer and closer. Tomorrow, I’m going to buy several books and will start studying right away. Also, how many hours would you advise I study each day? Would 3 hours be all right? I’m trying to be optimistic, but with Math it’s often hard for me.</p>
<p>like others have said, 700+ should set you up fine.</p>
<p>Ok, so you say that you can only get 600 at most. I think (emphasis on “I”) that, if it is the absolute highest you can get, you should score around the following for a chance at the big H:</p>
<p>SAT I - CR: 800 W: ~780 These are not that hard to get, seriously. Especially since you’re inclined to right-brain stuff</p>
<p>SAT II - around 780+ for all three subjects</p>
<p>If you can’t get those, then Harvard would really be a huge reach (at least, huger than it is normally is).</p>
<p>Those are crummy ranges.
I would say 750+ CR, 740+ Writing.
700+ in all SAT IIs.</p>
<p>I’d think Harvard awards acceptances based on character and talent over a bunch of silly numbers.</p>
<p>^ Haha, true. I may have gotten a little carried away there… character is what’s really important. But high numbers can never hurt! 
Anyways, be sure to do a great personal essay if you want to show your character!</p>
<p>Thanks! Well, I’m planning on retaking the SAT in March because I don’t think I’ll get to a 600 Math on my first try. I’m also going to get a tutor, and I know I definitely get 700+ on the Subject Tests.</p>