uh oh...SAT II MathIIC score!

Test Preparation
1

<p>Alright...after searching up other threads here, I am feeling really bad.
Basically, I am a good student overall, in the top 1-2% academically in my high school in Cali, and I have a solid list of ECs. But the problem is, I have awful test scores.</p>

<p>I'm applying to UCLA, UC Berkeley, UCSD, UCI, USC, and Stanford.</p>

<p>My SAT I: 2170, I think this is good enough.</p>

<p>But the BIG problem here is one of my SAT IIs. As you can see...
MathIIC: 590.</p>

<p>I have taken AP Calculus BC with an A, and you'd think with that math level I'd pass this test, even though math is not my <em>stongest</em> skill. Now, I do know that on the day of testing, I was quite sick and did not finish the last 10 or so problems on the test. Even so, do I really want to take Math IIC over again? My other SAT IIs are okay (well, maybe not for some of you geniuses! XD), with Bio at 670 and US History at 690. The only school that requires my MathIIC score is Stanford...and admission there is so selective! </p>

<p>My question: Is it really worth it to retake?</p>

<p>I'm just hoping that they will see my other merits. I am obviously not a math genius or anything, but perhaps they will see a discrepancy between my SAT II score and my academic preparation How important is this test score anyway?</p>

2

<p>I say re-take. If you study the material covered on the IIC for a few weeks I'm sure you'll do better. Also, for what it's worth I knew someone who got into UCB, as well as a HYPS, with a lower IIC score than yours.</p>

3

<p>By the way, Standford doesn't actually REQUIRE Sat Math IIc. In fact, they don't require any Subject test.
But, if you believed you could do substantially better, you should retake it.</p>

4

<p>You're a 4.0, right? Don't worry about it, unless you are planning to be a math major. Did you take the Calculus AB test? Did you calculate your UC index? I won't, but it looks like you are above 400. I would think you'd be a shoo-in at all the UCs and have a solid shot at Stanford. Good luck.</p>

5

<p>Thank you for your responses! I have decided to take a risk and not retake it. We'll see how that turns out, haha :)</p>

6

<p>Rick Tyler - What's a UC index and how can I calculate mine?</p>

7

<p>Link to UC admissions index calculator:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/scholarship_reqs.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/scholarship_reqs.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

8

<p>So...it's just a guide to measure if you are eligible to get a scholarship? That's it? Does it have any strong influence on your chances of getting into a university (I want to get into Berkeley Engineering; my total UC score was 426 and my GPA is 4.5, if that helps)? Is this anything like that Eligibility in Local Context (ELC) thing (I was qualified for that a few months ago)?</p>

9

<p>It's a requirement for scholarship -- you know, being a student -- not for a scholarship in the sense of paying for college.</p>

10

<p>I would retake....with that low of a score...they may think its grade inflation</p>

11

<p>If you do retake it, you should prob review the material. A lot of it you haven't seen since 8th, 9th, 10th grade. Remember some of it doesn't necessarily come back often in calc. Especially some of the geometry type stuff. I tried to take a practice test today and I seemed to have a time issue too although I wasn't trying to focus very hard. But it seems like you'd have to know a fair amount the shortcuts rather than how to test out the answers and such if you want to finish them all.</p>

12

<p>im sort of in same boat, my GPa is 4.3 but I got lame 690 on US history and 630 on Literature with a 25 on Act to compliment it.......hopefully UCSD and some of the others are feeling generous.....</p>

13

<p>If it's not too late to sign up for the December test, it might not hurt to re-take it if you have time to study and prepare in advance. The best part is that you would only have to take one short test, and maybe you'll be able to concentrate and do better. All in all, your scores are xlnt.</p>

14

<p>Stanford may allow waiver of SAT subject test if you submit ACT. But as stated on their web page:</p>

<p>SAT Subject Test Scores
We strongly recommend that you submit official results of two SAT Subject Tests: Math Level 2, if your math background has adequately prepared you for this, and one subject test of your own choosing. These tests can often be helpful supplements to a student's testing profile.</p>

<p>go to:
<a href="http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/applying/1_2e4_standardizedtest.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/applying/1_2e4_standardizedtest.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>If you want Stanford, take the test again -- as the results presently as a "helpful supplement" to give them reason to reject, not accpt.</p>