<p>Okay, I got a 750 in Physics. The test was hard for me because half of it was material that I did two years ago/never learned (e.g. Nuclear Physics). I crammed like two days before the exam, and it didn't pay out too well obviously. I have an A in that class, and I took both Physics C exams, and I am hoping for 5s (that's what I got on the practice tests). Because our school doesn't offer AP courses (but kids take the exams and do well on them), I'm wondering whether my grade and the AP scores will offset the 750. It's about 80th percentile nationally, which isn't that good.</p>
<p>I have a 2400 on the SAT I, 800 on the Math II, 800 on French (all exams are single sitting).</p>
<p>If I spent time studying, I think that I can get an 800. However, I'm not sure that I would want to do that, or if it's even worth it...I have great scores otherwise, and a good transcript, ECs, etc. But the 750 is so low nationally that I'm seriously considering retaking it.</p>
<p>Thoughts? BTW, feel free to hijack this thread if you want.</p>
<p>Wow 2400 in one sitting. That is amazing. You definitely don't need to retake SAT II physics. In fact most colleges only require 2 SAT II's so you have 2 800's I think only harvard requires 3, but I mean 50 points won't be the deciding factor.</p>
<p>Definitely don't retake! Subject tests are designed so that a 750, no matter what percentile it is, is a GOOD SCORE, because the group of students who take a subject test is a self-selected group of people who excel in that subject. </p>
<p>Besides -- even if you'd gotten, like, a 400 on Physics, your other scores would have made up for it. xP</p>
<p>Just curious: are you a native speaker of French? If not, how many years have you taken it?</p>
<p>Thank you. I know, but I'm thinking of applying there. :P It's not the 750, it's the fact that one fifth of the population is above that score, and they take like the top 10 percent (generalization, but largely true). I mean, I know it won't be a problem for most colleges, but there are always the few...</p>
<p>For the record, I won't deny that sometimes I am a perfectionist, and this result that just came in kind of threw a wrench in my goal for standardized testing. I'm not one of those people who are like "MUST GET PERFECT SCORE..." because I didn't expect much on the Reasoning. However, I am just worried that the 750 is pushing the bounds a little...</p>
<p>"Just curious: are you a native speaker of French? If not, how many years have you taken it?"</p>
<p>I lived in Prague and Brussels, where I went to French schools. I keep it up through French classes now. I am fluent. It was one of the worst things that happened to me at the time when I had to go to French public school, but now I can't thank my parents enough.</p>
<p>Oooh, sounds fun. Want to pretend to be me and take the French SAT II for me? -<em>_- I got sub-600 on my first try. XD ></em>></p>
<p>Haha, I guess I know how you feel -- I did well on the Reasoning test when I took it w/o prep or anything, so when I started taking my subject tests (and absolutely sucking c-ck), I was like "whaaat? Noooo! 800s are supposed to just come naturally!" (Basically, I was not only a perfectionist but cocky as sh-t.) So, yeah, I know how it feels to sort of... expect perfect scores. But if you stand back and take a look at yourself objectively, you cannot deny that you're in great shape -- even with the 750, you're virtually perfect. </p>
<p>Actually, let me be the devil's advocate here and say: since you've already done so well on your tests and have nothing else to do, why not retake if you've got the time? You've got some more testing dates before application and you don't have to do anything else. (I, on the other hand, am sticking with my 750 in Math IIC -- yes, I suck -- because I have more tests to take on the last few testing dates I have!) No, the 750 won't hurt, but if you wanna be a freak, retake; it won't make any difference save for your pride. xP</p>
<p>^Right, that's what I'm thinking. I will be incredibly busy next year with ECs and such, but I'm sure that if I picked the first weekend or something I could do it. It's just a matter of whether I should even bother, which would involve studying to learn the material I just didn't know. I don't have any more tests to take, and the idea of being done is quite appealing, but on the other hand...</p>
<p>dont think of that 80th percentile the same way you think of percentiles on the SAT I. That means you are in the 80th percentile of students who do well enough in physics to feel confident taking the SAT II in it. It's a self-selecting group.</p>
<p>Honestly, if you have good grades in Physics and the APs, then there's no point, as those will show that you are competent. In my opinion, it's not worth the hassle of extra study especially with college apps, etc.</p>
<p>Also, colleges know that if you're capable of a 750, you're probably decent at the subject and just as capable of getting an 800 on another day...the difference really isn't that great, and anything over 700 should be competitive</p>
<p>College will not look highly at retaking a 750 with your scores, actually it could be viewed as a negative, rather obsessive and only focused on grades. I am sure there is something much better you could do with your time.</p>
<p>I know you have a History of 800s, which I admire. I'm actually a little bit jealous (-; But you don't want to be an 800 Hound. I mean, you obviously have an affinity for most subjects and you probably have awesome grades. Some people I know haven't gotten a 750 in ANY subject. Ever. Unless you want to be an engineer, I think retaking it may look a bit odd to colleges (and it still may look odd even if you DO want to be an engineer). That's what all of my teachers and friends in awesome colleges told me when I had a similar situation.</p>