<p>I know this may come off as a stupid question but is the SAT math II subject test worth it. I got an 800 but I'm only in the 88th percentile. Does this mean getting an 800 is pretty much a requirement for the elite univesities? That seems a bit ridiculous that a perfect score is the 88th percentile. I feel as if it wasn't even that noteworthy of an accomplishment with so many people getting a perfec score. What do you guys think?</p>
<p>To my understanding the subject tests are graded differently than the SAT1s. There is a tolerance to the amount of questions you can get wrong and still get an 800. Say for example you only need 79 raw points out of 90 possible. This means everybody from 79 to 90 will receive an 800, so it is not only the people who get perfect scores. Odds are you were on the lower end of the tolerance for an 800, which is why you’re only top 88%. Still nicely done though! Not an easy achievement to get</p>
<p>I actually don’t understand why CB is so lenient on Math II, and 15% end up getting 800’s (I scored 800 on Math II and it said I was in the 85%ile or something). If they really wanted to distinguish the 800’s, why not make a 50/50 an 800 and a 49/50 a 790 or something.</p>
<p>Also, not everyone at the top universities gets 800 on Math II. Generally, a 750 or better is a good score.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>This is not correct. The percentiles are computed simply based on the score, which is 800 in your case. There is no “secondary” score that is based on the number of correct answers, and which is used to compute a percentile.</p>
<p>The students who take SAT Math II are self selected. A large number of these students are very strong in math. So it’s not surprising that the percentile for a perfect score appears “low”. In terms of the general high school student population it is high. By getting an 800 you demonstrate that you are one of these very strong students – so congratulations.</p>