I’m planning to apply ED to Duke this fall, and I understand that in order for SAT scores to be considered, they must be paired with 2 subject tests. I already have one subject test, but am planning to retake the SAT in October since my first try was the unfortunate June 6th test. I’m worried that if I take the second subject test in November, my scores won’t reach in time and they will consider by ACT score instead, which is pretty low, and even though I’m planning to retake, I doubt it will be much better. Does anyone know what I should do?
Will they even consider my SAT score if the second subject test score isn’t available in time?
I’m fairly certain they’ll still consider your SAT score if they have it as part of the file. If your ACT is also in hand, they’ll consider your application “complete” and can make a decision. They’ll look at everything as a whole and determine where you fall on the “test score” spectrum. If you had the subject tests in, though, and you have a poor ACT score, I’d think they’d basically throw that one out, which would be to your advantage. If you didn’t have the ACT score in, they’d consider your application “incomplete” and probably would wait to make a decision until they receive it.
Test scores are supposed to be in by November 1, so, yes, taking a subject test after that deadline would be considered “late.” But that doesn’t mean they won’t look at it when it comes in. I doubt the single score will tip your application one way or the other though. Will likely just reinforce the decision.
http://admissions.duke.edu/application/instructions#testing-testing-deadlines
“Early Decision candidates may submit new or additional scores from the November 7 SAT and the October 24 ACT. Tip: you don’t need to rush report scores to Duke, but if you are taking any tests after the application deadline, you should request a score report to Duke at the time you sit for your exam.”