What should I do if I only have 2 SAT II?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>I'm an international student from China applying for American universities. I've just received my Dec SAT II scores.
Math Level 2: 800
Physics: 710</p>

<p>Most Chinese applicants (esp international Chinese applicants) score triple 800 in Math, Physics and Chem, and as far as I know, I'm competing against them and the rest in the international pool.</p>

<p>I know, I totally screwed my Physics test that day...I haven't studied Physics for more than a year by then and I had a major must-avoid-on-test-day blunder that day...AND the more urgent question is, I've only got 2 scores! I had registered for 3 tests but then I didn't have time to prepare for a third one and...okay, it's a long story and I won't go into detail about the irrelevant anymore. </p>

<p>So I'm a little desperate now...I've searched the Harvard web, and it says that the last test day acceptable is Jan. should I take the Jan. SAT II? Since I need a third test and my Dec. Physics would clearly be a huge disadvantage...perhaps suicidal, cuz it contradicts the grades on my high school transcript (and I'm told if this happends to an international student, the admission people would probably think you're lying about your high school records...)</p>

<p>If, say, I will retake them in Jan., should I send my Dec. SAT II scores now (to make it to the deadline) and send new scores when they come out in Jan., or, can I choose to send my better scores in jan. along with Math score in Dec. when Jan. test scores are available? Would the latter way jeopardize my whole application (like, they won't view your whole app until all the required files are in)?</p>

<p>And lastly, Harvard says something like "those applicants who does not have test centers in their country" --like me, mainland China -- "are the only ones exempt from test score requiremnts." Does that mean I don't have to have SAT II scores? But...I've got SAT Reasoning Test...I don't suppose Harvard would allow me to send ONLY SAT I, would it?</p>

<p>Thanks for reading my post...and please reply!</p>

2

<p>Your physics score is unlikely to be the deciding factor in your application. In your shoes I’d take a third SAT II in January and retake the physics, but it sounds like you could be exempt from the requirements.</p>

3

<p>You don’t have to have it, I guess, but I would recommend taking it.</p>

4

<p>Uh, you’re technically exempt, but your chances are much reduced if you don’t send them - simply because many Chinese do. And as the mainland system is pretty complicated, U.S. colleges are going to put a special emphasis on standardized test scores. </p>

<p>I suggest you take Physics and another subject in January. You can send both scores now and two scores in January (remember to send them as you register, otherwise it’d be late). They will just file the highest score they received and ignore the rest.</p>