Should I just give up and take Math Level 1 instead?

Test Preparation SAT Subject Test Preparation
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<p>I'm currently a junior, and in June of my sophomore year I completed Pre-Calc Honors. Despite this, I believe math is far from being my strong point as I consider myself more of a humanities person. I went in to take the Math Level 2 subject test that same month, and scored a 760. </p>

<p>At the beginning of this month (December), I retook the Math Level 2 test, and I don't think I improved my score much - I probably earned a 780 at best, and there's even a chance that my score may have gone below a 760. How will colleges perceive this situation? Would it be better for me to take Math Level 2 a third time to try and score an 800 (which is still not guaranteed), or should I just give up and take the Math Level 1 subject test instead? I was looking through the blue book and found the Level 1 test to be significantly easier, and I think with just a bit of carefulness I'd be able to hit 800... what are your opinions? </p>

<p>PS - If it makes a difference, I'm currently looking at majoring in a foreign language in college, which obviously won't use much math.</p>

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<p>why did you retake the 760 in the first place?</p>

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<p>Mainly because I thought I would do better the second time around. But it seems that’s not guaranteed, at least not for me.</p>

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<p>what’s wrong with a 760? even though math II has a lenient curve, that’s still a great score!</p>

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<p>Nothing’s wrong, obviously… I just thought I could have done better. :/</p>

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<p>Don’t worry so much, a 760 is a fine score. You’re very likely to get a lower score on math 1 if you take it, the curve is absurd.</p>

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<p>dude, 760 is a good score and it means you’re good at math.</p>

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<p>^ Haha thanks Jerry! Unfortunately I beg to differ… math is one of those subjects that I get good grades in, but have to work really hard to understand lol. It just doesn’t come to me naturally - I’m one of those kids who sits in class and goes “Wait, wha…?” when the teacher teaches something new and only gets it 10 minutes after everybody else does. =P</p>

<p>But either way, thanks everybody! It’s probably not worthwhile wasting yet another $20 (how much do the subject tests cost again?) and another Saturday morning over this anyways.</p>

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<p>If you scored a 760, it’s statistically impossible to “do better” in math</p>

<p>The quote the College Board:</p>

<p>Understanding SAT and SAT Subject Test Scores
“Students tend to focus on their single score, but the score range
offers a better picture of their skills. This range usually extends
from 30 or 40 points below the score to 30 or 40 points above,
showing where a student’s score would probably fall if the student
took the test many times in a short period of time. Any score
within the range is considered to demonstrate the same level
of ability as the score the student received. College admissions
officers understand this, and that is why they ask that score
ranges be included with scores”</p>

<p>780 is not an improvement over 760, and any math 2 student who doesn’t understand that and 800 is not a significant improvement over a 760 doesn’t deserve the 800 ;)</p>

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<p>^ Wise words indeed. Thanks BigIs! :D</p>

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<p>Besides, the Math I curve is really tough. You said, “I think with just a bit of carefulness I’d be able to hit 800” on the Math I, but I wouldn’t be so sure. Often on the Math I, an 800 is truly a “perfect score,” i.e. 100% correct. Miss one, and you’ve got a 780.</p>

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<p>And a 760 is a very good score. BigIs is correct – statistically, a person can’t bring up a 760.</p>

<p>Good job, fledgling. You got a good score!</p>