Let me clarify the typical applicant at the top stem schools - Stanford, MIT, CMU, MIT, Cal Tech, Berkeley (for sure out of state), Michigan (OOS) will have them.
The only reason to retake is if she picks a school and they will give credit for a certain score. But even those schools that I am aware of for that (Ga Tech) don’t give credit for physics Sat 2. They do give credit for Chemistry with a 720. So obviously, they feel above 720, she mastered the material. So she should feel great about that score!
Collegeboard even states on their website, you can’t differentiate between scores that are more than 60 points apart. And of course, they should be the ones who believe in the accuracy of these tests the most. If your daughter wants to shine in physics, there are much more meaningful ways to do that (for example, taking advanced physics classes, doing phsyics research, or participating in contests like USAPhO.)
@compmom is correct. There are other areas of the OP’s future college application toward which she should be applying herself. Scoring a 760 as a freshman on one standardized test and then investing time preparing for a retake perhaps manifests a failure to adequately weigh the most productive uses of time. Time is finite, there are other courses, volunteer activities, a life to live and essays which describe aspects of that life. Best of luck.
The real question here is why she feels badly about a 760. Is she in a destructive environment? Does she have a peer who got an 800? That peer does not have a better chance at getting in anywhere, based on scores alone.
She is still young and in early high school. I think that there is time to help her develop healthier attitudes and focus, some of which others have described well.
OP, I’ll be the contrarian here, and say that if she wants to retake it at a later date, assuming she’ll be taking more physics classes, and without too much hassle or studying, I don’t see why she shouldn’t. Furthermore, she’ll want to check the policy of colleges to which she’s applying as policy changes from year to year, to insure that colleges will accept a score that’s older than two years. “What?” you ask, “Is it possible they wouldn’t?”
Here’s our story:
My eldest DS took two subject tests in 8th grade, the Math II (scored a 760) and the Physics (scored an 800). We saved both scores, but he retook the Math II in 10th or 11th without studying (since he had completed Calc III by end of freshman year) and easily got an 800 (the retake made sense only because it was easily done, he enjoyed testing, and he was planning on being a math major).
He was happily applying to college with his 8th grade Physics subject test, and every school was happy to take it except Caltech. They said they wanted more recent scores (2 years or less). He had to retake the Physics subject test in January of senior year. Of course he got another 800 since he’d taken eight college physics courses by then, but that was their policy. My understanding is that they have since changed it (this was in the 2011-2012 application cycle).
So-as time draws closer to college applications (junior year), check policy of colleges on the list to make sure they’re ok with a freshman year score. Just in case…
For starters, based on her reaction to the 760, I’d not want to be around if she gets a 740 the next time around. 
That’s always good advice regardless of the situation. While most things in academia proceed at glacial speed, testing requirements at some colleges seem to evolve on an annual basis. I will say that when I went through the process in 2015, no college had an issue with my Subject Tests being 3-4 years old
My question has generated lot of good discussion! Thank you all for sharing various points of views…!
About retaking the test, my question was about retaking it now in August…Based on her summer schedule including summer camps travel and vacation time…she will have just about 10 days before test date in which she could potentially take some practice tests at home…Thats the kind of “preparation” I was referring to. Not sure how much impact it may make…I think her score report said that typically without any extra preparation, if she were to take the test again she would score any where between 730-790. Of course we believe the score will be higher because she knows she made silly mistakes in at least 3-4 questions last time…and the idea was by practicing taking the test …one could reduce the probability of silly mistakes. Of course that is not guaranteed. So this would only make sense if test taking practice itself is an important factor to make any impact on the scores.
When the school session starts she will be very busy and there is no question of investing any more time in “preparation” of this Physics test. She is trying to decide if she wants to go into finance as a major or do premed in college …I don’t see any particular inclination to do Engineering or pure science as a major …even though she is really good in math and pHysics. She may take AP Physics in her Junior year …but I gather Junior year is extremely busy with many things…so don’t want to suggest leaving one more thing for then.
Well it won’t harm her to retake, if it is during the summer. I mean she can just go ahead. But she should adjust her attitudes about a 760.
Why is she thinking so much about college, a major and a career at such a young age? I mean, why is she thinking about finance and premed at, what, 15? I would strongly encourage you to discourage these discussions and encourage her try to enjoy high school and the present. She can work hard, is clearly very intelligent, and can make some of those decisions in a few years.
Also, a person can major in anything at all and go to med school or go into finance. I know English majors who went into finance or consulting. For premed, you can major in English or music or art or whatever you want, and just cover prerequ’s during undergrad or in a post-back program.
I hope she can relax a bit!! And use that brain power for something else besides seeking perfect scores and figuring out her life path already!
This is one of those threads…facepalm…
Ok…here is a question…
Will she want to take ANY standardized test again where her score is 760/800?
If so, I think she needs some help understanding what her score means.
In that case I wouldn’t recommend taking it in August, if she took ap physics as a junior say and could take it again after the course, it may be ok to do it.
Do NOT retake it this summer!!! The result could be a lower score, making different silly mistakes is highly likely, she hasn’t improved her fund of knowledge with more courses, and the not being close to college applications time…
At her age she needs to learn skills in dealing with less than perfection/expected results. Vetoing the test is a good parenting move. We are talking about a middle teen, not a near adult. Still time to instill useful survival techniques in dealing with her academic life.
Agree she should not retake it this summer. If she takes AP Physics 1 AND AP Physics 2 in junior/senior year, she can easily retake it and get an 800 without much or any studying, I think. My son audited an algebra-based physics class at a local university in 8th grade, and got a 5 on the AP Physics B exam and that 800 on the subject test I mentioned without studying. Keep in mind, the physics subject test goes broad not deep. A student can miss 8-10 questions (or used to be able to) and still get an 800.
PS. To answer a question about why focusing on college: I think for some younger students, it’s just a part of who they are within the context of their family and school. For my son, he was considering applying to college three years early since he’d started college courses in 7th grade. In the end, we just stretched everything out (homeschooling gave us the flexibility) so he graduated at the normal age, but he was considering local colleges pretty early.
@compmom …Starting to think about career choices when you are 14-15 is not uncommon in certain cultures. Nothing is set in stone for my daughter who is full on exploration mode right now…but these are just some possibilities that seem likely at the moment, that I thought I would share to give some background…I am a first generation immigrant…and although I have attended grad school herein the United States…am not too familiar with the undergrad course streams, flexibility offered and allowed etc. Growing up in a different country and education system…I had to pick a stream, when I was 14… that’s just how it worked,
I appreciate all the information shared…it is helpful to know the differences. D is very centered…am not worried about her not having fun. In fact the reason she hardly focused on this test before she took it was, she was too busy building stuff for a hands on Physics competition just for fun and going out with her team friends to celebrate etc…For her upping a test score is similar to upping a performance time as an athlete …you want to do your personal best…and that’s that…
I do note the points raised by some posters…about being weary of an unhealthy obsession…I don’t think that’s an issue for her. She plays sports…and knows well that all outcomes of anything you do are neither as expected nor as perfect…
Oh I understand. We get so many posters, especially young people, so worried about these things. Your daughter sounds very heathy and happy! So sorry to make assumptions. I have relatives in other countries and sometimes I think our education system could learn a thing or two 
No worries…as moms we have to be watchful of the worst possibilities and keep an eye out…I do appreciate all the feed-back. Made me sit back and think a little bit…always good to just consider all aspects…
If she is in a competitive school and lot of other kids in the school are getting 800s I may recommend retaking it if not much study/practice is required. I would only sign up if consistently getting 800s in practice tests.
OP - You sound like a thoughtful, helpful mom. Enjoy those high school years!
Dear all, just wanted to post an update…I shared all the feedback with DD, and she decided to take the test in Aug. Scored 780 this time…There was essentially one week of prep (given her summer schedule)…in which she basically took some practice tests. The difference between the two scores is not a lot but at least she had the satisfaction of being prepared this time. Once again thank you all for sharing your feed-back! I wasn’t able to influnece her decision much…but have the satisfaction of knowing that she made an informed decision and did it for the right reasons.
Next year it is Math II, and she wants to do Chem as well. My suggestion was to do only Math, and not worry about Chem as she already has Physics…but it is too early …we will see how she feels in spring when it gets closer.