New to taking SAT II's, whats the deal with re-taking them if you do bad?

Test Preparation SAT Subject Test Preparation
1

<p>So I have been wondering which SAT Subject tests I should take at the end of this year, my sophmore year. So far, I have not taken any of the tests, so this June would be my first sitting. Right now I am confident in World History, I did really good on Diagnostic Tests, and my teacher is outstanding, he is helping prepare us for the AP Exam and the Sat II's in class. However, my Chem teacher is not that great, and most of my class is stragglers. Me and maybe 3 other guys are actually keeping high A's, and so out teacher is forced to help them and not spend as much time advancing at more of a college level with us. On the Chem Diagnostic, I got 75% out of 100%, so that shows I know about 3/4 of the material, and since I have been studying for a few months, and have a month to go, I suppose I can make up that last 1/4.</p>

<p>HOWEVER, even if I end up doing horrible on the SAT II for chem, here are a few questions I have:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I hear people saying that if you take the tests more than twice, it looks bad on your application, as if you were a bad test taker. But how do the colleges even know you are taking the test that many times if you aren't sending in the scores? </p></li>
<li><p>How many times would you say is a reasonable amount to retake a test?</p></li>
<li><p>Below which score would you say it reasonable to retake the test, I was thinking a 700?</p></li>
<li><p>Did you find it easier taking the SAT II's right after finishing that course in high school, studying independently for it, or later the next year?</p></li>
<li><p>Finally, if you get something like a 680 or 690 on the test and you want to retake it, but by some chance get a 670 or lower score, can you still send in the first score or no?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Sorry I sound like I don't know much about these things which I should know at this point, but so be it, I have much to learn. Thanks</p>

2

<ol>
<li><p>Some colleges may require you to send all scores, others may require only the best scores. You shouldn’t take a subject test more than twice not necessarily because it looks bad on your app, but the fact that it’s not wise to spend too much time on perfecting one’s score on a standardized test. </p></li>
<li><p>Honestly more than 2 times seems excessive to me. There are other parts of your application to worry about.</p></li>
<li><p>It depends on the person’s standards. In my opinion, a 750 or above doesn’t deserve a retake.</p></li>
<li><p>At the end of the course is the ideal time to take SAT II’s.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, but some colleges may require you to send both scores.</p></li>
</ol>