Should I retake the Math 2 SAT?

Heyyy guys! I took the math 2 sat last year as a sophomore when I was in pre calc but I only got a 780. That was like a 73 percentile but tbh my time an 800 was 80th. My friends keep telling me to retake it but the fact is that I don’t remember everything in pre calc (cuz I’m in calc now). I could get an 800 but it’d be a lot of work. Should I bother? Also, my realistic dream school is cornell (I want to ed there) and they don’t have score choice so…whatchu guys think?

Just my two cents, but retaking a subject test in which you have already achieved a stellar score of 780 seems completely unnecessary (and a waste of time, both in re-preparing for the test and then sitting for it again). No need to take it again.

I’d retake it, only if you have the time and the 780 bothers you. If it doesn’t “nag” at you then move on. D18 took it in January and she’s taking BC now.

You just have to be motivated. I know 43-44 raw out of 50 questions gets you an 800, so perfection isn’t required.

The difference between a 780 and an 800 is statistically insignificant. If Cornell (or any other school) rejects you, it will not be for a 780.

No college admissions officer is sitting on the floor cross referencing percentile charts to scores. The reason why the percentile is so low is that relatively few schools require/request subject tests, and the ones that do tend to be top tier. As a results, most of the students who take these tests tend to be the high performing types.

So yes, if you have the time and the money, you can take then as suggested above. However, you also run the risk of an AO wondering if you are just a one-dimensional test-taking drone that has nothing better to do on a Saturday.

how would they know? He/she would only send the 800 and not the 780. The AO would think he only took one Subject Test and would never know about the 780.

@skieurope

OP said Cornell requires all subject tests. Whether that is true or not, IDK; their website is vague on the topic. @kjake2000

If you are going to take other subject test, you may tag along the Math2 again as it does not take you much more time and has little additional cost. But I would not suggest to go for another SAT2 just for that.

Any scores above 750 is within safe range. I’d recommend that you put the time and effort in retaking the test to building up your ECs, instead. I know of many students who got rejected by selective schools with perfect scores. I also know of many students who got accepted by the same selective schools with less than perfect scores but with excellent ECs.

I would advise against it. A 780 is a commendable score. If you get rejected by any institutions (including top schools, such as HYPS), it won’t be because of a 780.

thank you so much! I did not retake it