I got a 780 on the bio m sat II. I was happy and so were my parents, however they looked at the percentiles and it was only like the 91st percentile so they were a bit disappointed. Do you guys know what top colleges are looking for percentile based? Of course I know this is just one super small factor in college admissions but I think a combination of parental pressure, wanting to show that i’m good at biology (since I love it so much), and low percentile is what’s making me think I should take it again. I wouldn’t really mind retaking it, buuuuuut then I would have to review again when i could be napping, watching netflix, doing nothing, etc.
No, you should not retake it. Colleges see the score, not the percentile. There will be no difference between a 780 and an 800. You also have to remember that generally, only the smartest students are taking subject tests, so it’s more like the 91st percentile of the top few percentiles.
You did great! That score will only help you in admissions.
Low percentile? I’m sorry, but would you mind telling us what a “high percentile” is in you and your parents minds? 91 percentile is literally 9 percent from 100. And as the poster above me said, it is out of the brightest students in biology so percentiles shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
Well, I guess we should all be considering retaking 800s in Math 2 because ~80% must be crap 
They’re not.
In their minds a 780=780=780=780, regardless of subject. There is no admissions officer cross-referencing percentiles. Not a single one. Period.
Move on. I’m sure there are plenty of other aspects of your application, including your essays, that will need your time.
No.
If you have time to retake the test, it may be worth the effort. Among all HS students, sure, 780 may be a great score. However, if you think about how many perfect scores applicants will be submitting to very selective schools, a 780 could be considered “low” relative to all the 800s.
@JuicyMango I don’t think it’s low at all! It’s just that my parents were disappointed since it wasn’t in the upper 90’s I guess.
@Kyuutoryuu Sorry I didn’t know that was the percentile score for that! It’s my first time taking an SAT II so when I saw the percentile I just assumed 800’s would be like 99%. But thanks, that helped me understand all of this a whole lot better!
I know this is all just one little aspect of the college admissions process like I stated in my original post, I just wanted to know a little bit more about whether percentiles matter and also wanted to ask on my parents behalf as well. Sorry if I seemed a bit ignorant, but thank you all for your helpful answers!
Anything over a 750/760 demonstrates mastery of the subject and checks off the relevant box for admission officers at top colleges. Don’t get caught up in the percentile craziness. A friend was at an Ivy League info session recently and a father asked whether his son should retake a 780 or 790 and the admissions officer basically said that she would think worse of an applicant who had a 750 or over and decided to retake in order to get an 800.