Retake a 790?

Test Preparation SAT Subject Test Preparation
1

<p>Ok before you judge me... here's a little background. </p>

<p>I'm a sophomore this year, and I wanted to get some SAT subject tests out of the way before junior year (when I'll be really busy). I decided to take the Math Level 2 test because for one, I'm pretty good at math, and two, the test seemed easy to 800. I did do some preparation (brushed up on old pre-calc/algebra II concepts) and I took around 5-6 practice tests. On the Barron's practice tests I scored ~730-780 range, and on the college board released tests i scored easy 800s. After this I felt pretty confident about the test, and I highly expected to get an 800 on the real thing...</p>

<p>I got my results today, and it looks like a got a 790. I'm pretty disappointed because this puts me in ~86-90th percentile of people who took the test. This is a high score, but the percentile isn't extraordinary. Do you think it would be worth my time to take the test again and try to earn a perfect? I'm not some sort of troll, I honestly don't know whether or not top colleges would look down upon this or not.</p>

2

<p>I don’t think it would be “looked down upon” but I’m a perfectionist and If I were good enough at math to get an 800, (which I’m not) (not even close) then I would retake it, specially since like you said it’s just your sophomore year and you want it out of the way.</p>

3

<p>Well if you’re taking any more subject tests, just add on math ii at the end! You’ll get an 800 the second time around lol</p>

4

<p>Don’t retake. Worry about SAT I, AP’s, and other SAT II’s.</p>

5

<p>I don’t want to look paranoid if I take it again because a 790 is pretty good. My only worry is that a 10 pt difference on this particular subject test seems to reflect a large difference in percentile. Honestly I’m hoping colleges know that I was literally one question (prolly a stupid mistake) from an 800.
I don’t think I’ll retake it unless there is convincing argument otherwise…</p>

6

<p>I had a 790 on my Math II SAT scores and my college admissions results were fine.</p>

7

<p>So I guess I should rephrase the question, does a 790 strengthen my application? Should it be something I include?</p>

<p>@Excavalier, your admissions results and your score on the test are quite irrelevant, you could be a stellar applicant in many other respects…</p>

8

<p>Retaking a 790 can be detrimental to the applications where they request all of your scores.</p>

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<p>No. You’re 10 points away from perfect, don’t worry about it. Use another Saturday for another SAT II you want to take or just sleep in. A college isn’t going to look at it and say “Yeah, this kid is an idiot because he didn’t get an 800.” You’re probably still 88% and there isn’t a large difference between probably 90% or so and 95% for most subject test, which is probably the average max percentile for most SAT IIs.</p>

10

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<p>It shows that getting a 790 isn’t going to cause any substantial effect, if any effect, in college admissions. 800 and 790 are virtually identical and no one will condemn you for 10 points from perfection.</p>

11

<p>Thanks for the input guys! I’m probably not going to be taking it again… I really need to stop worrying about this</p>

<p>@Excavalier, you are right btw… didn’t realize what i was saying lol :P</p>

12

<p>750+ isn’t worth a retake.</p>

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<p>Read this thread <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-subject-tests-preparation/1463088-would-you-retake-790-math-ii.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-subject-tests-preparation/1463088-would-you-retake-790-math-ii.html&lt;/a&gt; Same answer. NO</p>

14

<p>You should know this, but here it goes. Your chances for improvement are extremly small. Your chances for decline are extremely great.</p>