<p>peacein345: I loved the ACT. I felt it was far more low key than the SAT and I did better on it. I like that the ACT has one long section for each piece of the test instead of the SAT’s 10 mini sections with questions grouped by difficulty. On the easy sections I’d have tons of time left over. On the harder sections I’d have only a minute or two. As someone who’s used to having tons of time to check answers at the end of tests, the SAT’s format drove me crazy. If a student can take both they should. Then they can form their own opinions. </p>
<p>I do agree with you about the science section. I found it utterly useless. There was more graph-reading and logic than actual science.</p>
<p>I got a rather low SAT and subject test scores, does this ruin my chance?
Math: 730
Reading: 610
Writing: 600
I am retaking the SAT this month.
Math II: 750
Physics: 600
Lit: 520
I have never taken physics (just started it this year). I am a passionate student and am graduating a year early due to lack of courses.</p>
<p>The reason scores aren’t even close to “Everything” is because the US standardized test system is extremely flawed… the standards for math/science are very low for either SAT/ACT, where speed is the main determinant.</p>
<p>CLASS RANK QUESTION - When schools look at class rank, do they consider factors such as high school rigor ? Also, will they understand that taking many music classes (instead of study hall) adds to the high school experience but pulls down class rank a bit ?</p>
<p>Schools will examine the classes taken and the classes offered at the school for high school rigor - the school will want to see that the student is taking the most challenging courses available to him or her.</p>
<p>If the class rank is lower than it should be then the school will take the courseload into consideration - taking music classes over a study hall will certainly be looked at favorably! Also keep in mind that there is virtually little difference between a class rank of 1 and a class rank of 10.</p>
<p>How else is standardized testing supposed to test other than speed and accuracy? Everything else will involve bias, unless you want the SAT Math to be something like AMC</p>
<p>Well I guess I should state that it’s relative. If your class size is 500, then I maintain that there’s virtually no difference. If your class size is 25 then there is of course substantial difference.</p>
<p>It of course varies from school to school as well.</p>
<p>hi people. I just googled your site because I was worried. I’m an international student (Croatia), got 100 on the toefl, 730 sat II physics and 670 mathematics level 2. You guess the mathematics is my biggest concern since it is pretty much low. Applied to the MIT just to try, my first choice is a faculty here, but I was wondering do I still have chance? I did warn MIT in my application that high schools here have 17 required subjects each year so we do not learn every subject that much. I am pretty satisfied with my physics score. really don’t know how the us school system looks like, how many school classes a week of a subjects you have? I had 2 classes of physics per week during all 4 high school years. Any opinions?</p>
<p>^ MIT is a reach for everyone, so who knows what will happen? You still have a chance, maybe your context may help you a bit, though it might be a little low since your Math II score is less than 700. Anyway you have already submitted the application, so why worry?</p>