UC Engineering admission

Applying to College
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<p>I am going to take the subject tests this saturday on Physics and Math (II). I am confident that my math score will be above 700, but I took a Physics practice test and got 530. I couldn't answer most questions because I took Physics Honors Sophomore year with a terrible teacher. There are no other options for other subject tests that I could take to send to the UCs I'm applying to (Berkeley, UCLA, UCSB). I have a few questions regarding my unfortunate situation:</p>

<p><em>note</em> the UC website says that math and science subject tests are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for engineering majors. (and they want the science subject to fit your specific major; mechanical eng = physics)</p>

<p>1.) Will a.. let's say 520 Physics SAT subject test score completely ruin my chances of getting into Berkeley or UCLA engineering programs?</p>

<p>2.) Should I even send the test to the schools?--Is a low score better than no score, basically?</p>

<p>3.) From today (12/4) to saturday (12/7) is there any possibility i can at least raise my score back up to a somewhat respectable 600+ or so? -I have the princeton SAT Physics book.</p>

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<p>Bump–I know this is a tough question, any replies and suggestions are welcome. It may start a discussion :slight_smile: Thanks for reading</p>

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<p>By the way the practice test was 580 not 530… doesn’t change anything though</p>

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<p>bump x2 10char</p>

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<p>Princeton Review’s SAT Physics book is good. Go through EVERYTHING you possibly can. Note that in Physics a 600 is still low for schools like Berkeley/LA but it doesn’t get you auto-rejected or anything… a 600 means you got ~35 wrong out of 75. I’d say at least try to get a 650 - just focus on studying for it. Also go through this link:
[SparkNotes:</a> SAT Physics: Introduction to SAT II Physics](<a href=“SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides”>SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides)</p>

<p>I used that for explanations and PR for its practice tests. But go through the book as well. As much as you can. Focus on Kinematics, Circular Motion, Electricity, Relativity and Thermodynamics the most. Just get the concepts down and i’m sure you’ll do well.</p>

<p>Also, do send the score. If it’s strongly recommended and you don’t send, that could actually hurt you.</p>

<p>Sidenote: You don’t have to bump every couple hours…just sayin’</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>I bumped after 8 hours, but thanks for the insight</p>

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<p>^Bumping once every 24 hrs is plenty. If members want to respond they will.</p>