Reasoning or Subject Test? Help Please

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>I will be applying to MIT RD. However, I have a problem with my SAT scores. The last time I took the SAT was a long time ago and I was stupid enough not to re-do it. I'm pretty sure I would get a very high score on it if I do. At teh same time, I did the subject tests for Math and Physics without studying thinking it's like the reasoning test. When I did it, I found that you really need to know rules and need to refresh your memory on alot of things.</p>

<p>So, The January test date is coming and registration is closing in 2 days.</p>

<p>My SAT scores are:</p>

<p>Reasoning: 550 Reading, 650 Math, 650 Writing.
Math Level 2: 680
Physics: 600</p>

<p>Should I do the subject or the reasoning test?</p>

<p>Hassan</p>

2

<p>reasoning!</p>

3

<p>definitely reasoning.</p>

4

<p>Are you sure? Shouldn’t I show my profeccioncy in Physics though because I’m majoring in Physics?</p>

5

<p>Do you have an ACT score you send instead? If you don’t, retake the reasoning test. But don’t get your hopes up. You really shouldn’t have waited this long, because both sets of scores can kill your app on their own.</p>

6

<p>I did the ACT in December. I think I’m gonna get like a 32.</p>

7

<p>I think yyou also need to look at some other schools. Take the shpt at MIT but have some backups in place. As for the SAT I vote reasoning with your current scores it would be a long shot</p>

8

<p>Ooooh tough call. To be clear, although you’re judged holistically, the SAT reasoning test is pretty much given more consideration by just about every school. MIT reps typically say that they like to see scores of at least 700 on each section.</p>

<p>That said, a 32 on the ACT is approximately equivalent to a mid 2100 on the SAT, which satisfies the whole 700+700+700 range. If you get your ACT score before the registration deadline for the next SAT, then I personally would wait and see. A 32 is sufficient and you can send it instead of the reasoning, and use the next SAT date for subject tests. If not, then it would be best to take the Reasoning test again, because it’s more important and I would wager that it’s far more common for people to be admitted with subject test scores in the 600s than reasoning scores in the mid 600s and 500s.</p>

<p>Good luck with your app
-Michael</p>

9

<p>Take the SATI. MIT will be a big longshot regardless, so you should make decisions at this point on what will help you get into top 20 schools. Improving the SATI will give you a much better shot at good schools than your subject tests.</p>

10

<p>Agreed completely with michael</p>

11

<p>I think I’m going to go with the subject tests. The results are very bad. 600 on SAT physics means I answered like 30 out of 75 right! Also, the 680 on Math is even worse! I think I’ll go with the ACT score I’ll get and take the subject test.</p>

<p>Any final ideas?</p>

12

<p>Just want to say that MIT doesn’t care so much about what you want to major in, if that was a factor in your decision.</p>

13

<p>A 680 is not actually the worst thing. Admissions wants to see 700s, but 680 is quite close. I’m more concerned about your 550 in reasoning. That said, I’m not making a call here either way.</p>

14

<p>I thought the schedule for the SAT I was quite flexible since it is administered on a computer these days. Why can’t you retake both?</p>

15

<p>There’s just the upcoming january test date which MIT among other schools were kind enough to accept its results.</p>

16

<p>

I have no idea where you heard that, but it’s still taken with a pencil and paper. You’re probably thinking of the GRE.
If you get a 32 on the ACT, retake the subject tests.</p>

17

<p>Well…I registered d for the reasoning test. My ACT score comes out on the 27th and I can change to subject tests if I need to for a fee.</p>

18

<p>What exactly is the Reasoning Test?</p>

19

<p>The regular SAT.</p>