Subject tests sent without notice

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

I looked at my Berkeley application, and I saw that my subject tests scored were officially sent by the College Board. I had a migraine on that day, so my scores were poor. I called Berkeley and they confirmed they were officially received. I called the College Board and they confirmed they were officially sent, but not by me. They claimed Berkeley had some policy where ALL SAT scores needed to be sent. I don’t care about the normal SAT scores, only the subject tests. There are a few problems with this.

For Berkeley, the SAT subject tests are entirely optional. I sent my normal SAT scores to Berkeley back in May. I took the SAT subject tests in December. I only explicitly sent the subject test scores to the five colleges I applied to that absolutely required it with a note that I was sick during the test. Berkeley doesn’t know my low scores were a result of that. I applied to no other UC schools. So, the College Board sent scores to a school when I never explicitly told them to seven months after I sent the scores I wanted to, all without any knowledge or notification. Berekely never sent me anything either.

Is this legit? This is pretty ridiculous to me. I’m going to call Berkeley tomorrow, but I’d like some other opinions.

2

UC schools don’t allow score choice. So, if the score choice option is not selected, as is required, all SAT scores are sent, including all SAT subject test scores. Sorry you had a migraine that day. You could tell admissions that, but I don’t think I would. From what I learned from a UCI admissions officer, your less than stellar subject test scores will not count as a negative, as they are not even required. Basically what happens is that for each positive thing about your application your score is raised. If you had high subject test scores they would give you credit for them when reviewing your application. If they were not, they would just have a neutral affect on your overall application score. I hope this helps.

3

Yeah, I just called to confirm and they said subject tests are only neutral or positive because they’re supplemental. They can only help you (presumably if they’re good). I find it hard to believe they wouldn’t be seen in a negative light in a really competitive process, but I suppose that’s how it is.

4

S accidentally sent his bad scores with the good and we were told they can only help. Bad scores won’t hurt.