I just received my scores for my two SAT Subject tests, US History and Literature. I was happy with my US History score (730 out of 800) but I was unsatisfied with my Literature score (650).
I plan to major in Political Science or Public Policy, so I find it important to show my social studies strengths. I got a good grade in AP US History and a 5 on the AP Exam so I think a 730 is consistent with this success.
Meanwhile, I feel like my Literature Subject Test score is not a good representation of my strengths in English and Literature as much as my grades in English class, 4 on the AP Language Exam, and subscores of 35 on English and 34 on Reading on my ACT. I do not plan to take the SAT Subject test again.
So is it worth it to only report my US History Subject test score? Or should I refrain from reporting because it will it look odd to only report one?
Thanks so much!
Hey, congrats! I also got 730 on US History but got 3 on the AP exam. Are you planning on going to an elite institution for your PoliSci / PubPol major? If so, I was told by an admissions officer that it depends on the student’s demographics. He said that if you have a 650 on a test, where most of the students are earning 550s, then that 650 will look great. However, if a lot of students were receiving 750s and you got that 650, then it may hurt you. But then he also said that some colleges take all subject exams into consideration without penalty, but I wouldn’t blindly agree to that (in my opinion). If anything, you can either report US History to schools that require a subject test or send both, but don’t refrain from reporting at all because that would hurt more than doing either one of the above. In my school, the literature subject test is notorious for being hard and only a few students (who are gifted in English/Literature or those who have done a lot of practice) BARELY pass 700 - the highest in my year was a 720.
Good luck!