SAT-II scores and percentiles - confusing

SAT-II subject test scores are out - am confused with scoring. In math-2 got an 800 with a 79th percentile (how is it possible to get full score but somewhat low percentile). why is percentiles so low even with the highest possible score (by my estimation, I may have lost not more than 2 questions).

The low percentile is due to the test-taking population. Most students taking Math 2 subject test are (1) advanced in math and (2) applying to top colleges that like to look at subject tests; in other words, these are top students. However, colleges look at the score, not at the percentiles. You got the top possible score so you have no worries.

what is said above is exactly true. Math II is known for having only the best (in terms of math) take it, which is similar to the say Chinese exam. You have an 800, that’s an amazing score; it doesn’t matter the percentile

my son took sat subject biology and got 750. -88%ile.

@evergreen5 and @jujunette01 - thanks for the info. yes, I am very happy with the score but was trying to understand the general idea behind scores/percentile and which one is used by colleges. Glad to know that colleges only consider the score.
I was curious to see if there are people with the same scaled score (say 800) but different percentiles (between 79-99) based on raw scores. Anyway, that seems irrelevant info if colleges only consider the score.

are you positive colleges only look at scores? Is this for all SAT Subject tests ? any feedback on biology 750 , 88 % ile

No one has a 99th percentile on math 2. Different subject tests have different percentile charts. The current chart: https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/sat/pdf/sat-subject-tests-percentile-ranks.pdf

The percentiles will depend upon the exam date.

Don’t get caught up with percentiles. It is important to understand that for several subjects, the percentiles are depressed because so few colleges request Subject Tests, that the ones 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.

If you think the percentiles for M2 are low, check out Chinese or Korean.
https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/sat/pdf/sat-subject-tests-percentile-ranks.pdf

I don’t think that’s true. I believe that, just like SAT1, the scaled score determines the percentile, and percentiles are only revised retroactively (e.g. perhaps this fall for class of 2018).

You might be right @evergreen5 . I only took each of my Subject Tests once, so I don’t have firsthand knowledge. But I do remember when I was in HS a few years ago some of my classmates comparing scores from different dates for the same subject and the percentiles were slightly different.

Regardless, my message remains - don’t focus on percentiles.

most top schools only want to see a 700+. aim for 750+ to be safe. a high SAT II score looks impressive, but won’t really change anything in the end @pearl0607