<p>I recently received 800s on the Math II and Chemistry subject tests.</p>
<p>I have registered for the October administration of the Physics exam, but I don't think that I will get 780+ on that one. Does it look better to submit two perfect scores or include additional non-perfect scores?</p>
<p>I've always heard that "more is better" in terms of exams submitted, but I have a gut feeling that submitting only the two required — and scoring 800s on them — would look better. Thoughts?</p>
<p>Based on the latest documentation from Harvard, they seem to be backing away from subject tests as a mandatory requirement. Used to be that the documentation would say the more the merrier although 2 were required.</p>
<p>"I’ve always heard that “more is better” in terms of exams submitted, " This is wrong. H doesn’t want test taking drones. Glad you got your scores but H would rather see you rake your lawn and show that you’re multi dimensional than sit in another test taking center.</p>
<p>@T26E4 — You’re absolutely correct with regard to the “test taking drone” applicants. But given that 2 SATII exams are generally required for elite universities, taking 3 isn’t excessive.</p>
<p>I’m just wondering whether an additional 760ish score would be beneficial.</p>
<p>@myrkvi: I agree that taking three isn’t excessive. But having 2 x 800s already and then you ask should you sit again and take another batch in hopes of adding more SAT2s?? My advice remains firm. Don’t do it. There is no additional benefit. You have already demonstrated to H your academic ability. Go mow the lawn or vacuum the family room or fold laundry instead. Don’t demonstrate your drone propensity. That would be a negative – see?</p>
<p>I get that you feel that “I can control this. If I give them MORE of me (my academic chops), they’ll want me more.” I’m telling you that no – at this point, spend more time musing over your essays. Go on a long walk and self reflect. Go into a room and listen to soothing music. Then let yourself flow naturally into your personal statement. Churning out another 760 is worthless to your goal, IMHO.</p>
<p>^^ I agree with @T26E4: Harvard, and all the ivies, use your top 2 SAT Subject Test Scores to calculate your Academic Index. Once Admissions has your AI score, it doesn’t matter whether you have more than two test scores. </p>
<p>FWIW: Admissions Officers have about 12 minutes to read a complete file and make notations – that includes looking over your transcript, course rigor, GPA, test scores, teacher recommendations, guidance counselor’s Secondary School Report (SSR), essays and extracurricular activities. AO’s probably spend less than 10 seconds looking at your test scores. There is no additional benefit to having more than 2 SAT Subject Test Scores.</p>
I think this is GENEROUS. They plug the nos into their algorithm and move on. That’d be 2 seconds. Then they may muse over the overall academic picture, sure – but I’m sure it’s a psychic blow to HS students to wrack their brains over these exams and then to see that in reality, it’s just a data blip for colleges.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, @gibby and @T26E4!</p>
<p>I already knew that the third score isn’t a factor in the AI. The previous “chances” threads are somewhat intimidating because it seems like everyone is obsessed with “more is better”.</p>
<p>I completely agree that AO are only looking to confirm what they have already seen in the transcript. I will only submit two subject tests this fall.</p>
<p>“I think this is GENEROUS. They plug the nos into their algorithm and move on. That’d be 2 seconds. Then they may muse over the overall academic picture, sure – but I’m sure it’s a psychic blow to HS students to wrack their brains over these exams and then to see that in reality, it’s just a data blip for colleges.”</p>
<p>Could you please clarify this position? I’m not particularly targeting you-- I’ve seen this said by many of the adults and other ‘experienced members’ on the site and I’m interested in understanding it further. In essence, I see people saying that ‘GPAs and test scores are vital for top schools’ and then, conversely, I see statements such as the one I quoted above. I can understand that, below a certain level, scores and GPAs can make an applicant uncompetitive, and that above that level, perhaps the distinction between scores (760 vs. 800) is meaningless-- but the extent to which you minimize the impact of scores by saying that they’re barely given ‘2 seconds’ seems incongruous with what I’ve heard elsewhere. </p>
<p>It definitely makes it seem as if the subjective analysis of the applicant (assuming it gets the other 9mins and 58secs) is weighted far more heavily. If this is the case, why are applicants with 3.7s or 3.6s told that they’ve got a long shot (more so than a 4.0)? </p>
<p>Perhaps my question is a bit vague. Please let me know if you’d like it reframed. </p>
<p>@gibby that article about Vanderbilt was awesome. I’ve been looking for articles like that for a while. You seem to have an arsenal of articles about everything admissions-related. </p>
<p>I don’t think it ever mentioned that adcoms have ~12 minutes / file. Where does that estimate come from? And is it different for people who submit before the 11/1 deadline? (I plan on submitting around 10/1)</p>
<p>I’ve just done the math: 40 files per day X 12 minutes per file = 480 minutes divided by 60 minutes = 8 hours a day (not including lunch, bathroom breaks, meetings etc)</p>
<p>@Bemusedfyz I’ll try to clarify. What I mean in this person’s case is that if submitting 2 800s along with a commensurate SAT1 score, there’s nothing more to be said – that item is checked off and the reader goes to other items. When another file comes in at say, 2100 and 750/530, then more attn may need to be paid to the transcript and other academic factors.</p>
<p>That’s what i mean “2 seconds” and move on – moving on in a good way.</p>
<p>Thanks for that! So, if I’m understanding correctly, it all comes back to that indefinite yet ‘definitely there’ score barrier-- once over it, scores don’t matter, if under it, they matter enough to warrant rejection.</p>
<p>@Bemusedfyz - It’s not a binary system, where academic considerations are used to determine which candidates make the first cut, and are then ignored, with admissions decisions based purely on other factors. Rather, it’s a continuum- the stronger your academic credentials, the less everything else matters. Taking an additional SAT II test, unless it’s in a unrelated field, adds little to the application, and can diminish it if one does poorly.</p>
<p>T26E4 and gibby are giving excellent advice. I’ll add that I can imagine one possible scenario where three might be better than two. Take someone like myrkvi, who has demonstrated their math/science aptitude with 800s on Math 2 and Chemistry. Add a third high score in a non math/science area, such as Literature or World History, and it might paint an even more compelling picture.</p>