SAT Subject Tests - EA Applicant

Applying to College
1

Hi,

I’m planning on applying SCEA to Harvard, and I just got my SAT Subject Test scores from the October sitting. I received a 760 in both Literature and Math II. I don’t plan on retaking literature, but I feel like I could potentially score higher on Math II.

The page for SAT testing guidelines on the admissions website says that they prefer scores from Oct. and earlier, but that November test scores should arrive in time. Should I make the effort to retake Math II and aim for a 780+, or would it be pointless to do so? And if I do take the test and happen to score lower, could I choose instead to send the October score or would it be too late by then?

Thanks in advance!

2

bump

10char

3

I think it’s pretty pointless. The margin of error for a 760 is probably plus or minus 30.

4

The difference between a 760 and an 780 is statistically insignificant IMO. Even if you were to retake and get an 800, this could hurt you, as some of these colleges that evaluate holistically, like Harvard, may wonder if there is more to you than a test taking drone who has nothing better to do on a Saturday.

Move on. Do not retake. Spend the time finetuning your essays, which will help you more than a 20 point bump on a subject test.