<p>I am asking this question on behalf of my son. He just finished 9th grade and took SAT II math test this year. He already completed Calculus I at local flagship, so he should know all the concepts.</p>
<p>He got 750. Should he retake, given that next year he will be taking SAT II Chemistry and maybe US History, and therefore will need to simultaneously prepare for at least 1 more test?</p>
<p>One more caveat. He has ADHD and is prone to self destruction. As result he is not very good student. He will be lucky to have 3.5 unweighted gpa, which will be that high only because he got credit for 4 years of HS math he took in middle school for which he received all As. He also will be getting extra credit for at least 3 Calculus courses which will probably be all As too. If he did not have all these extra As, he probably would graduate with 3.3 gpa maximum. </p>
<p>My son really wants to go to a top ranked school and having high test scores is his only hope to make it there. </p>
<p>He was quite overwhelmed at the end of this year with AP test and final tests at school and the U and literally only spent 2 days preparing for this test, so I am confident with the right preparation he can do much better than 750. The question is, is it worth the effort?</p>
<p>What does not add up? That he can be smart and have ADHD at the same time? Should I bring you a note from his doctor? </p>
<p>He finished HS math while in middle school by applying and being accepted into a special program at local flagship. </p>
<p>Since he already completed HS math program, he took another test at the local flagship and got accepted into the program that allows him to take Calculus there. There are at about 5 more of his classmates in that program. It is a well known program in our area.</p>
<p>No it’s not that but you said that he is not a very good student but the fact that he did well on the subj test (yes 700s are good) and did Calc I at an age where most are still taking Algebra makes him a GREAT student.</p>
<p>If you feel he can do better, then let him retake the test; just note that it’s what he wants to do (he won’t prepare as well if he doesn’t want to retake math). He’s a rising sophomore, so he’ll have plenty of time to prepare for other Subject Tests; if he’s just now starting AP Chemistry, you could hold that test off until June. Also, it would be impressive if you keep him in advanced mathematics through Dual Enrollment (maybe finish Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra?).</p>
<p>If you took a look at his transcript, you would disagree. </p>
<p>If you look at the profile of admitted students at the top Us, his grades are nowhere near where they have to be. So, he needs test scores to remain competitive.</p>
<p>I talked to my son and he said that he wants to retake. I originally was thinking about June, but he is planning to take Chemistry in June and it will be finals time again.
The best time would be in October, but October is when Debate competition starts and it is his favorite EC.</p>
<p>P.S.
I believe he will eventually take multivariate caclulus through the program at the U, but I am not sure. He refuses to apply for dual enrollment at the flagship, because he enjoys HS too much - many friends and many activities. So, I am not going to make him.</p>
<p>Anyway, a 750 is decent… Test scores don’t really do much either than but you in the right area to apply to top schools… Good ones won’t really help you get in, but poor ones will definitely keep you out. Test scores are what gets your application put either in the trash pile or the “for further consideration” pile. A 750 is fine… An 800 won’t really help him get into a top school, ahah, a 750 and an 800 would both simply “not keep him out.”</p>
<p>Your right his GPA/class rank is a concern, but, he does have a reason for that GPA and has time to work on it. A 750 is a solid score and many would be very happy to have it, but if he wants to go to a top science/math school 800’s in the math/science sat ii’s are desirable. Good luck.</p>
<p>I graduated from a top ranked school and, at least in my experience, did not find it a place in which someone with a lack of consistent focus (whether due to a medical condition or otherwise) could thrive.</p>
<p>There is nothing magical about attending one of these schools. You must still apply yourself, seek out the opportunities that are available, and then make the most of those opportunities. While some support exists for those who need it, there is no coddling. The expectation is that each student will hit the ground running.</p>
<p>I also had a close friend in high school with similar math skills to your son and a similar lack of focus in other areas. Despite his grades, he was admitted to MIT, but eventually transferred out because he couldnt keep up with the pace and breadth MIT demanded. </p>
<p>There are many college programs out there that Im sure would be thrilled to have a student with your sons math skills and could work with him to develop his full potential in that area. At that point a graduate program at a top research university might be more suited to his temperament and talent.</p>
<p>Of course, there is no way for me to know from an Internet post what your son is truly capable of either in high school or beyond. My recommendation is simply that you expand your focus beyond rankings and seek out programs that may be more specialized and/or focused on undergraduate education. It may take some time to find the right place for him, but the time could be better spent than worrying about whether a high school kid who might be capable of acing Linear Algebra should try to boost his score on a standardized pre-calculus test.</p>