Sticky Situation: Retaking SAT I or SAT II

Applying to College
1

<p>Here is the sticky situation.</p>

<p>Lets say someone had these sat scores</p>

<p>SAT I: 2100</p>

<p>SAT II
Math 2: 720
US History:790
Biology: 600</p>

<p>If that persom would be applying to the most competitive colleges, he had one more oppurtunity to retake SAT (since its nov.).,and he can probably score a 2200+ on SAT I or 700 on SAT Lit (another subject test replacing bio), which test should he retake? Since the most people submit 3 subject tests to these selective colleges, would he be at a disadvantage for him to send only 2 SAT IIs. However, isnt SAT I more important than SAT IIs? Thanks for the advice!</p>

2

<p>Without a doubt retake the SATI.</p>

3

<p>I agree with hmom5</p>

4

<p>A 100 pt boost on the SAT I carries a lot more weight than a 100 pt boost on an SAT II</p>

5

<p>I’d say SAT because only one school I know of requires three Subject Tests.</p>

6

<p>To the OP- you still have time (for Harvard) to take another SATI or II on Jan. 23, 2010—</p>

<p>On Harvard’s admissions website, the Calendar for admissions states that:" January 23, 2010 is the last SAT testing date for candidates." </p>

<p>“February 6, 2010 - Last ACT testing date for candidates.”</p>

<p>Good luck!!</p>

7

<p>If OP is available on all these weekends, he could:</p>

<p>Standby THIS weekend (Nov 7) for SAT and take SAT I. You can’t study much for that anyway, and he’s already done it. So get in there and try for that one. As everyone has said…bumping THAT one is more important. Unless maybe you’re talking pre-med or something…then the bio is pretty important too. Some schools treat the SAT IIs with great respect because they’re maybe more subject based than reasoning based. </p>

<p>Then he ALSO can test in Dec for SAT IIs.</p>

<p>AND January for SAT IIs for some schools.</p>

<p>AND throw in an ACT or two-plenty of time for that too, and they’re on different weekends (probably for the very reason that a person can then take both). </p>

<p>What if his ACT is “stellar”? Some people test better on one versus the other. And all schools accept the ACT now. SOME schools will accept ACT with writing in lieu of SAT plus SAT IIs (not many, but some). AND…the ACT has “science”…though it’s not really like memorizing bio data…it’s answering questions regarding graphs that are presented to you. So he might fare much better on this portion than the SAT II bio. </p>

<p>Good luck, happy “testing season!”</p>

8

<p>Harvard’s Dean of Admission has a blog on the New York Times. He discusses the criteria Harvard uses to select a class.</p>

<p>[Guidance</a> Office: Answers From Harvard’s Dean, Part 1 - The Choice Blog - NYTimes.com](<a href=“http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/harvarddean-part1/]Guidance”>Guidance Office: Answers From Harvard's Dean, Part 1 - The New York Times)</p>

9

<p>Great article, appdad.</p>

<p>I’m in the majority here in saying that “someone” should re-take SATI. Many top colleges only require 2 Subject Test anyway–you’ve got 2 great scores in the bag, and you only need to send those (don’t send Bio).
Good Luck</p>

10

<p>Depends on the college of your interest. If its one of the few that require three subject tests, like Georgetown, I’d probably retake Bio if you were SURE you could ace it (750+). Then, I’d consider taking the ACT in December.</p>

<p>Otherwise, the SAT I is the no-brainer.</p>

11

<p>Hey guys </p>

<p>THANK YOU SO MUCH for the feedback!!! Well i know that most competitive schools do not require SAT IIs but its just that feeling since most people submit 3+ it seems awkward to submit 2. Appreciate the advice and more are always welcome!</p>