Given that I’m an asian, would having perfect scores on 5 SAT subject tests make me look like a test-taking machine?
I currently have two 800s and am planning to take three more this month. I’m pretty sure that I will score 800 on all of them as I have been studying for them for three months.
I was just wondering if it would, by any chance, affect me negatively.
Thanks.
What’s wrong with being a test-taking machine?
I think it will benefit you. If I was taking 5 subject tests I would be thrilled to get perfect scores on all of them 
It impacts you negatively only if you have no outside interests, no demonstrated engagement in any community, no passions or interests beyond studying. If all you have are numbers, then you are living a pretty sad life. I assume that’s not the story, right?
@N’s Mom Well, I do have ECs (1 year internship at embassy, fundraisers, sports, etc), but I’m not sure if they are interesting enough compared to other applicants who are aiming for highly selective colleges.
Is this a hypothetical question, since in an earlier post, you only indicated that you took 3 SAT subject tests?
When many colleges require zero SAT2s, a few require two SAT2s and only a handful require 3 SATs – what is the PURPOSE of your duplicative 800 after 800 after 800 after 800? Are you concerned someone will think less of you for submitting 3 x 800 vs 5 x 800s? Or is it simply counting coups? To me, it’s a waste of time, money and energy – and it smells like just collecting honors. Personally, it rubs wrong and I frown on it. While this attribute might make an employer very happy, I’m not sure you’ll get the effect you want from competitive college admissions officers…
Jeff Brenzel, former admissions Dean of Yale said:
“At the same time, we are not particularly drawn to one-dimensional students who have made their sole or primary objective in life amassing the largest number of honors or AP courses conceivable, accompanied by multiple efforts to achieve the world’s highest test scores.”
http://questions.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/17/qa-college-admissions/?_r=0
@skieurope In my previous post, I indicated that I took three SAT subject tests which I got two 800’s and one 780.
And I am planning to take three more.
@T26E4 First of all, thanks for ur comment. However, I am in a slightly different situation here. I switched highschool 5 times and my GPA suffered as I failed to adapt to abrupt changes in my life. On top of that, I did not take any AP exams. So I was hoping that 5 perfect SAT subject tests would make up for my relatively low GPA and lack of AP exams. I am fully aware of the fact that SATs cannot make up for anything, but I wanted to prove that I am able to do well in each subject. And since I already submitted all my applications, the only thing I can do to increase my chances is to take more SAT subject tests and do really well on them.
As long as you have expressed other interests and you are able to come across as someone they’d like to admit through your recs, essays, and EC’s there is no harm in showing that you are talented in multiple subject areas. Most colleges, however, will only look at your top 3 subject test scores so having more may be extraneous
One thing: because of the whole score choice thing, schools that require two SAT2s only look at your top two scores, period. So having three more perfects won’t actually help. Check out their requirements. In fact, looking at the stated value your preferred schools place on SAT2s might be a good idea, anyway. Getting lots of 800s might make you feel better, but may not even register on them (check the common data set: they say clearly how much they care about grades, class rank, and test scores. Some schools consider test scores “very important,” but most state that grades are “very important,” and scores are just “important.” No one says grades are just “important,” by the way). Whether it might actually hurt is a more subjective question, to which I suspect the answer is no, it won’t hurt, but given that it probably won’t help, either, it’s likely to be a waste of energy and money.
Have you arranged for them to be directly sent to the college? If they are less than what you desired, they may wonder why you are submitting scores that are lower than the ones you have previously taken
It’s probably pretty rare for applicants to have 2x800s on Subject Tests.
The 75th percentile of MIT freshman have double 800s but
that’s a pretty select group.
http://mitadmissions.org/apply/process/stats
Like marysidney said…take a look at the school’s common data set.
Does it say test scores are “very important”?