<p>I got a 2250 (740CR/720M/790W) on my first SAT test. I must say the low Math score was a bit of a shock to me. Btw, I got a 790 on Math Level II and a 780 on Bio M. In two days, I'm taking three more Subject Tests in languages.</p>
<p>I'm applying via Regular Action. That means I could theoretically take the SAT again in January (primarily to get my math score up). How much of a benefit would this be? Would I be an auto-reject with a math score of 720 on the SAT Reasoning Test?</p>
<p>I think you are ok at 720. Any lower I would say retake. With the Math curve on the SAT I being harsh at times, just one more correct could have been a 740-760. </p>
<p>Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate it. One more thing to note, I’m an international student (though I don’t know what and whether at all that changes anything).</p>
<p>I suggest retaking the 720M. Call’s 25 to 75% range in math is 760 to 800. Even with the outstanding SAT II score, Cal Tech is known for its formulaic admissions practices and the 720M is really low for them.</p>
<p>720 is probably too low given the fact that only a quarter of Caltech admitees are below 760. In order to compensate you would need to demonstrate exceptional strength in other areas, such as EC’s. Unfortunately, most students who get into Caltech have also demonstrated considerable strength in their EC’s, so you would be swimming upstream.</p>
<p>If you were to study history at Princeton or Literature at Columbia, your Math SAT I score would be fine (given the rest of the SAT results), but Caltech would require a much better math score - take the test again and focus entirely on the math beforehand.</p>
<p>caltech understands that internationals tends to have lower sat scores b/c prep is not as available outside of the US. There’s no auto-reject score, and as long as you show interest in math/science through your essays and/or have something else that makes up for it, you should be fine. The 25-75 scores don’t mean that much because there are people below 760M and 800M2 at caltech</p>
<p>Now, I don’t know how admissions thinks, but honestly your Math II score shows that you shouldn’t need to retake the regular SAT. I really don’t know the specifics of how admissions approaches these scores, though.</p>
<p>Thanks a bunch for all your answers. I guess I won’t retake, simply because I know I won’t be a better mathematician for getting an 800 next time. The difference between an 800 and a 720 is, as you have pointed out, three wrong answers out of 54. If Caltech is that stringent, it might not be the right school for me after all.</p>