So I’'m applying RD to a couple Ivy’s and they all recommend that students submit two SAT II scores. The last accepted testing date is the January 21st test. I’ve never taken any subject tests before. My SAT I score is slightly weak for these schools. I would have around four weeks to study if I chose to retake the SAT I, but I haven’t been actively studying prior to this so would it be realistic to boost my math score 100 points, as someone who struggles with math? Or is that too much of a gamble? If I don’t take the SAT I, I’d take three subject tests, all of which I expect to get 700+ grades on. I’m really worried that I’ll end up bombing the SAT I if I retake it, and then be left with no SAT II scores to submit on top of that since you can’t take both in the same day. My Reading + Writing score is strong, 750, but my math is a little below average. I got a 24 on the essay. Do you think I should just study like hell and take the chance of bombing the SAT I and having no SAT II’s to try to boost my score, or take the subject tests instead, score well, but go into the applicant pool with a weak math score? Plllleaaasssee help
Go for the SAT1 in my opinion. A third subject test won’t really add anything, especially if you have AP tests or good grades to back them up.
Retake the SAT 1 - try using Khan if you need extra help with math and don’t have access to any other test prep. The Khan will import scores from your sat and build a study plan for you and will adjust based on your performance so it should really help with the math.
This isn’t correct:
“So I’m applying RD to a couple Ivy’s and they all recommend that students submit two SAT II scores.”
If your schools recommend SAT IIs your app will have a major flaw without them, unless you are low income and unable to afford them. That doesn’t sound like it’s the case.
So do you think having no SAT II’s will hurt me more than a weak math score on the SAT I? Penn claims that you won’t be at a disadvantage in the admissions pool if you don’t submit SAT II’s, but I still don’t know
We have no way of knowing which the school will value more. It may not be a disadvantage at Penn (so does that mean it’s not an advantage to send?) but what about the other schools you referred to?
Take the subject tests, since you still have the time and your scores are pretty good for SAT I
Most applicants to the ivies and other top schools usually have SAT 2 scores, so use your judgment on what is important. If the school requires 2 SAT 2s (list below), then you have to take them. When it’s strongly recommended, that basically means the majority of applicant pool are sending them in.
EX. Brown University’s Test Policy: The SAT and any two SAT Subject Tests. Applicants who take the new, redesigned SAT are not required to take the optional writing section. We will accept test results for either the old or the new SAT.
You mentioned you haven’t taken ANY subject tests. That means if you want to apply to Brown, you need to take two of them asap.
EX. Princeton University’s Test Policy: We require the submission of one of the following: (1) SAT with Essay or (2) ACT with Writing. We will accept submission of the “old” SAT test, which was replaced by the redesigned SAT in March 2016.
In addition, we recommend, but do not require, the submission of two SAT Subject Tests, which often assist us in the evaluation process. We have no preference for the specific SAT Subject Tests applicants choose to take. However, if you apply for the B.S.E degree, we recommend that you take either mathematics Level I or II, and either physics or chemistry.
Some students may find the cost of taking and submitting SAT Subject Tests to be prohibitive. Please note you will not be penalized for not submitting SAT Subject Tests if the cost of taking the tests causes financial hardship. In such instances, we will rely on rigor of coursework, strength of recommendations, quality of writing in the essays and any other information available to us.
Notice that you won’t be penalized if taking subject tests are a financial hardship. Usually other schools will say that it’s recommended but if you don’t submit any, you won’t be penalized for it. However, Princeton specifically mentioned financial hardship as a reason for not taking them, even though you are not “required” to take them.
LIST
Updated July 04, 2016.
SAT subject tests are not required at the majority of colleges and universities in the United States. However, many of the country’s best colleges do require two or more SAT subject tests. The list below presents dozens of colleges that require the SAT subject test, as well as several schools that used to require subject test scores but now simply recommend the subject tests. There are, of course, many other schools that recommend the SAT subject tests, and strong scores can often strengthen an application.
Be sure to get more information from a college’s website. In some cases the ACT with Writing can substitute for the SAT Subject tests, and colleges change their admissions criteria all the time. You may also find that colleges have very different testing requirements for home-schooled students than other applicants.
All the schools below require or strongly recommend SAT Subject Tests for at least some of their applicants.
Boston University (some programs)
Brown University
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Carnegie Mellon University (requirements vary by school)
Cooper Union (some programs)
Cornell University (some programs)
Dartmouth College (recommended, not required)
Duke University (strongly recommended)
George Washington University (required of some dual degree programs only)
Harvard University (strongly recommended)
Harvey Mudd College
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Notre Dame (Indiana) (home schooled applicants must take 3 SAT II or AP exams)
New York University (NYU) (but SAT, ACT, IB or AP exams can substitute for SAT Subject Tests)
Princeton University (strongly recommended)
Rice University (not required if submitting the ACT)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) (only for accelerated programs in law or medicine)
Stevens Institute of Technology (some programs)
Swarthmore College (encouraged for engineering applicants)
Tufts University (most programs)
University of California – The state system has changed its policy to read, “While SAT Subject Tests are not required, some campuses recommend that students vying for slots in competitive majors take the tests to demonstrate subject proficiency.” You can get more information here.
University of Pennsylvania (recommended)
Vassar College (scores will be considered, but are not required)
Washington and Lee University (recommended for home-schooled applicants)
Webb Institute
Wellesley College
Wesleyan University (school is test-optional, but scores are required and used for placement)
Yale University (recommended)
I think it would be helpful to know which schools you are applying to, figure out which schools require SAT 2s first, before you think about retaking the SAT I again. Some schools like Cornell only require them for specific programs, or even have requested a specific subject test for a certain program.
“my math is a little below average.” What does this mean, exactly? What is your total SAT I score?