Sat vs. Calculus

[yogurt123]

<p>I have a low sat math score-640.
does that matter if i got A's and A-'s in AP Calculus and got a 3 and 4 on the bc and ab exams???</p>

[sljaeger]

<p>lol yeah, 690 math here.
5 on calc ap exam.</p>

<p>its cause the curve is so harsh on math, i hate it.</p>

[yogurt123]

<p>does a low math sat score matter if one already has taken calculus?</p>

[warblersrule]

<p>Yes, it matters. Keep in mind that AP scores are generally considered less important in admissions. </p>

<p>Calculus is generally very straight-forward, but the math portion of the SAT forces you to reason. However, many people take the Math IIC SAT II, which should at least partially offset a low math SAT I score.</p>

[newyorker]

<p>Less important? How do you know that precisely? Some people are just bad standardized test takers; there's reasoning on the AP exam also. How can you say one math test reasons and one doesn't. Have u taken AP Calc? I'm sure adcoms can understand some ppl arent good standardized test takers; and there are many ppl like that out there.</p>

[whartonalum]

<p>AP's might be considered "less important" but your performance in an AP Calculus course and test says more about your math ability than your SAT math score.</p>

[sheetmusic]

<p>No matter what else, fact is that there's really no shortage of applicants with 800's (or at least 7-somethings) and 5's on AP Calc.</p>

[MrHarris]

<p>Sure your AP test score tells what your abilities are when you have plenty of time to work out a problem. The SAT requires you to think outside of the box in a very short period of time. Logically the two cannot truly be compared. The SAT is a measure of your problem solving abilities while the AP test is a measure of how well your calc teacher beat the material into your head. Bottom line is if you want to go prestigous learn to adapt to the SAT or simply take the ACT...</p>

[warblersrule]

<p>sheetmusic is right on. These are worth reading:</p>

<p>

@benjones

I'll pause here to add that I frequently saw kids with perfect SAT scores and perfect grades and a gazillion AP classes get rejected. Why? Because often these kids knew how to grind, but brought nothing else to the table. And that's not who we're looking for at MIT. We admit kids who show genuine passion. Sure AP's can be one of many passion indicators - but I emphasize one of many.

</p>

<p>

@benjones]<br> An 800 SATM is not really going to be any more competitive than a 750 SATM - both scores show us that you're proficient in math.</p></p> <p><p>It's what you do beyond grades and scores that will make you stand out. We have a pretty amazing community here - we'll be looking to see what you will contribute to it.</p> <p>[/quote]<br> </p></p> <p><p><br> [quote=Ben Golub

So the short answer is that one score will never kill you, but it makes other mediocre scores more damaging. You can easily make up for it with a bunch of great scores on other tests, and you can even make up for an overall below-average testing record with something great elsewhere. Truth be told, the only applicants who are truly <em>helped</em> by their scores are the 5x800 bunch, and that help isn't very significant. So just try to do well on the other tests and realize that what makes the difference for the vast majority of applicants is how much intellectual and personal spark we see, not a bunch of numbers.

</p>

<p>

@Ben Golub

Don't let this intimidate you. We are favorably impressed with great scores, great grades, and awards. They do reflect well upon your drive and intellect. And not everyone who applies has great scores. But the previous paragraph was intended to make clear that those things typically don't <em>tip the scales</em>, since there are more people who have those qualities than people whom we can admit.

</p>

<p>Several adcoms on CC have specifically mentioned that AP scores are of lesser importance. Anyway, use your common sense. How many scholarships are based almost entirely on your grades and SAT score? </p>

<p>Newyorker, I actually have taken AP calculus (5 on both AB & BC) as well as some more advanced math. However, I struggled with the math SAT I somewhat (700 & 740), so it's not like I'm trying to make the math SAT the be-all-end-all. </p>

<p>yogurt, that AP calculus score might get you credit/placement, which is very important in the long run.</p>

[tetrahedr0n]

<p>
[quote]
The SAT is a measure of your problem solving abilities

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Not really. The SAT math section problems are tremendously easy - they are really not meant to test problem solving ability, except at a very rudimentary level. This is why the test has very limited time. The AP Calc test is a far better judgement of problem-solving ability. Better markers out there are math competitions.</p>

[MrHarris]

<p>I should of phrased that better. What I meant was the SAT is not quite as straight forward as the AP Test..</p>