<p>Danny - you’re grasping at thin air here. I took the exam (and scored a 800), so I know exactly what is on the test, thank you very much. The questions on the exam are basic physics knowledge. There is nothing on there that should surprise anyone with a solid grasp of standard AP Physics.</p>
<p>My original post was meant to convey that the curve is large. Sure, I wrote 15 questions when I meant 15 points. Is that such a big deal? Perhaps the curve is even just 9 points, if you want to trust Sparknotes instead of the official CollegeBoard book. Do you really think that I am “dogmatically asserting” that the curve is X out of 75? Please, come on. Take a moment and reflect on what you are saying before you try to critique my math and reading skills.</p>
<p>It’s quite odd that you make a post whining how 770 is such a terrible and miserable score yet try to justify it to me - but in actuality, yourself - so vehemently. As you said, many factors can explain why one received a sub-800 score. Just don’t go complaining on CollegeConfidential if you do.</p>
<p>I think the bottom line is that the physics test has a very friendly curve, like many but not all standardized exams.</p>
<p>Another bottom line is that MIT doesn’t actually require you to have an 800 on your science subject test, or any test, as stated by one of the people who has read applications for MIT and decided who does and does not get in for the past few years, and will be (and has been) reading applications and making decisions again this year.</p>
<p>However, I can understand the frustration that comes with getting a test almost but not quite perfect. If DANNY007 wants to retake the test for his own personal satisfaction because that’s just how he likes to do things, there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s probably what I would have done, not that it would have necessarily been a productive use of my time or my parents’ money.</p>
<p>Keep in mind, though, that if you end up at MIT this kind of perfectionism most likely will not be sustainable. At least, mine wasn’t, though I still like to cling to it with writing. Firehose, right?</p>
<p>Lydia: I can’t retake both because of financial reasons and time constraints…
I know that I didn’t get an 800 because I was careless( which I often am). Thanks for the consolation btw :)</p>
<p>I got into one of the schools where you’re applying (Stanford) with a 750 on Physics. </p>
<p>First off, a score of 770 is not “abysmal.” With that score, you have more than demonstrated your competence in high school physics. Second, most of the schools you have listed care way more about whether you’ll fit into the university as a whole rather than your specific major. That is, they’re not really looking for someone who will be the best engineering physics major at their university, but for someone who truly belongs there, no matter what major they choose. Therefore, I think you should stop focusing on test scores and start focusing on making your applications into cohesive and holistic arguments for why you should attend the highly selective schools to which you’re applying.</p>