SAT II Math Level 2 Retake?

Test Preparation SAT Subject Test Preparation
1

<p>Hi all...</p>

<p>So...right now I'm extremely depressed about my chances in general, but to get straight to the point: I got one of the worst scores imaginable for a subject test--the dreaded 790 on SAT math level 2. Obviously it's not "bad" in that the score itself is bad (though relatively speaking, yes, it is very bad), but it's terrible for my mentality.</p>

<p>The question is: do I retake it? Normally, such a score isn't bad at all (in fact, it would be quite good) but on the math level 2, as we all know, it's approximately an abysmal 88 percentile... Yes, I am one of those people who very strongly want to get into a good college.</p>

<p>I've been stewing over this ever since I got the score back early this summer, and now I'm trying to decide whether I should retake it. It's just that because I got a 790, my mind is in shambles and there is the distinct possibility that I somehow $#@! up even worse and score lower, or perhaps get the same score. It's also extremely bothersome to have to restudy for it. Supposedly, I need no study, but my confidence is at an all-time low and I'm not sure...I also have piano competitions, three clubs to manage, calculus BC (teacher teaches both AB and BC and somehow expects prior knowledge of calculus before entering the class), taking AP chemistry online at home after school, PSAT study (took the SAT as a sophomore but now may have to review PSAT as I'm now a junior), AMC study (my dream school is MIT and I need to at least make AIME or something even), and some other stuff.</p>

<p>Sorry for ending up just venting and complaining, but...I'm really at a loss. Should I retake the math level 2 subject test? I'm one of those people who feel as if a cloud is hanging over their heads when they have an upcoming test, etc. I'm not worried about the other ones because I will study for them in due time and I have classes that prepare me for AP/SAT IIs, but the math level 2 is already done....ugh.</p>

<p>Thoughts and advice? Thanks.</p>

<p>Since most people honestly just don't give a damn about others' boring and stupid personal lives (exhibit A right here):</p>

<p>tl;dr I got a 790 on the math level 2 subject test (I am junior and took it in june as a sophomore), should I retake it, I do have a lot of other work on my plate.</p>

<p>Thank you all very much. This is something more of a ranting blog, I suppose, but a blog entry would be entirely pointless and would not help me make a decision in any way at all.</p>

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<p>………………really?</p>

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<p>Yeah don’t retake it. An 800 isn’t going to help you get into MIT if the rest of your application isn’t impressive! Use your year to focus on anything else.</p>

4

<p>IMO, re-take only if you’re most definitely set on Caltech and/or MIT. The Math II scores for their accepted students are pretty much all 800’s.</p>

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<p>On exams like Bio where there’s a small curve, 800 and 790 makes essentially no difference. On math level 2, it makes a slightly bigger difference, since 800 could mean anything from 0 to 5 wrong, but there’s still essentially no difference.
If you are absolutely, 100% sure you’ll get an 800 if you retake it, then go ahead, but if you’re not sure, getting another 790 or worse will not look very good…
But really, it’s a 10 point difference- don’t worry about it and move on. Stuff like AMCs are thousands of times more important than SAT IIC…focus on that or something.</p>

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<p>Of course you don’t have to take it again…BUT you do need to study for that PSAT!! It is much more important for you to make Natl Merit! Get moving!</p>

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<p>hahaha AND you are a junior. with all due politeness, st_u</p>

<p>sorry, those are my over expressive words to convey: chill out bro and focus on academics, ecs, other testing including PSAT (although national merit is not really a big deal)</p>

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<p>So…does that mean that the consensus is that I do not need to retake the math level 2 subject test?</p>

<p>I absolutely do not want to worry about this. I scored 2400 on the SAT I back in last october as a sophomore, so the 790 in Math II really depressed me and a retake has been weighing on my mind… :frowning: The tests are almost completely unrelated to each other, of course, but getting 790 made me really, really sad… I do need to restudy for PSAT because I haven’t touched anything to do with SAT I since then.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice. It definitely sounds like it’s not worth wasting my time on retaking the SAT II, and I do indeed have a ungodly amount of work to do at the moment. Thanks, all!!</p>

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<p>You don’t sound real.</p>

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<p>What do you find so hard to believe here? I am sorry to disappoint you, but I can PM you my score information if you really do not believe me…</p>