11 days till the Jan test date, and I’m confused which test to give.
I got a 740 on the Physics test which I feel is pretty low for my own and top uni standards.
Would you recommend I retake the Phys test again and hope for 760+, or take chem? Since I only have around a week to prepare, I expect my chem score to be between 700 and 750.
Will a low 700s score on chem be more valuable than increasing my phys score by 20-40 points?
Will a third SAT subject test score be unnecessary or overlooked by many universities?
Yes, I know many have asked similar questions. Yes, I know the final decision is up to me. But any and all advice would be extremely helpful to my indecisive self!
Some context:
I’m applying to many ivy and top schools for CS/Engineering, have a 2340 on the SAT and 800 on the Math II.The 740 in Phys was after retaking it, since I first got only 700.
Percentile wise, your physics score puts you at the 68%, according to CollegeBoard 2015 stats. A chemistry score in the lower 700s would be between 54% and 72%. As chemistry and physics are similar in their percentiles in relation to scores, it depends on whether you think it would be easier to score high on the chemistry test or improve the physics score you already have. As for a third test being overlooked, I don’t believe most colleges require you to send all scores, so you could just choose the two you feel are best.
@smk2017 thanks for the input!
it would be easier to score higher in physics just because I’ll be giving it for the third time, but is there that much of a difference between a 740 and 760ish? And would it be better if I submitted a third one instead of a 20+ point improvement?
The answer to your question is in the above statement. Few colleges are looking for academic drones that have nothing better to do with their Saturdays than keep taking Subject Tests. Additionally, it’s unlikely that you will score much above a 740 the 3rd time around. On top that, if a college rejects you with a 740, it’s highly unlikely they would have accepted you with an 800. Time to move on.
While true, it is also important to understand that for several subjects, the percentiles are depressed because so few colleges request Subject Tests, that the one that do are the ultra selective ones. As a result, it is the high achieving kids taking the tests. No AO is sitting on the floor cross-referencing scores with percentiles.
I’m really good at physics (not indicated by these scores ) so I do think that I’ll be able to score higher the third time around
And yeah, I’ve ignored subject test percentiles since I saw my 800 in math as a mid-80 percentile haha
If you think there isn’t THAT much of a difference between a 740 and 800, then I guess a Chem test to boost my app a little more would be more beneifical right
) so I do think that I’ll be able to score higher the third time around