What to do when one SAT II score is awful

Test Preparation
1

<p>My son scored 34 on the ACT and 2200 on SAT I (800 CR, 690 M, 710 W). He took SAT IIs in Chemistry, U.S. History and, somewhat on a lark, French. He made 730 on chem, 750 on U.S. History, and 530 on French, which is down around 30th percentile. Because his scores on SAT I and ACT were nicely complimentary (i.e., he scored highest on the ACT's math and writing sections, which were his relatively weaker SAT I parts), his college counselor -- who thought the change in how you can report SAT scores had already taken effect -- initially counseled him to report ACT and every SAT score but French. Once she learned that the change doesn't take effect till next spring, she said she thought that the French score would be so damaging (some of his ECs are related to French and he's interested in international studies and Japanese) that he should report ACT only and completely leave off SAT. Is she right?</p>

2

<p>She is wrong. Although it definitely is not good, it won't hurt him as much as she thinks. And most schools would require him to send in SAT II scores either way, so you are probably going to have to send them in regardless.</p>

3

<p>You guys, I have a similar problem with a 470 (yeah...you def. read it right) on the Literature SAT 2 Subject Test. I don't know what happened to me that day. </p>

<p>Should I just submit the act?</p>

4

<p>send it in. most colleges ignore low scores; luckily he has 2 high ones...unless he is applying to places that require 3, he is good</p>

5

<p>Unless he's applying to Harvard, Georgetown, etc, you won't need to worry.</p>

6

<p>i hate when they say they only look at the best.
of course colleges look at not as great scores. because if you are getting 700s on all your tests and then a 500 it is going to look like a sore thumb. just kinda weird. so I would make a note about the test to an admission officer. and just kinda say what happened. why you didnt do so hot.
i think the say is with the sat....is someone scores 500s on all the sections their first time and then after 3 tries they are up to 700+ on all the sections they are probably going to average the scores and kinda look at you more in terms of that. but i dont think that SATIIs matter nearly as much so you will be fine</p>