dean5150

I'm going to try to take the Math II, Physics, and Chem test in May. I will need to do some studying for the former two, but I expect (hope) that I should be able to get high 700s. I took a practice test in my Kaplan Chem book and got around a 670. I think this is about an average score, but I think I got lucky with some questions, and unless I study a good amount I wouldn't expect to get higher than that on the real thing. If I do study, I probably could get upper-mid 700s, but I may not get around to it.

Will it possibly hurt my resume if I get a 650 in chem? Or should I just skip it? Is it better to get a 670 in it than not take it all? A 650?

I expect to be a science major. My SATs were ~2150.

kwu

Don't bother. 650-690 is an "average" score.

dean5150

I knew it would probably sound stupid, since I don't know much about the SAT IIs. I basically would just like to know if it's better to get a 650 (or possibly lower) on the test than not to take it at all. I've heard the Kaplan tests are a little easier than the real thing.

Thank you.

kwu

Well, it really does depend on what kind of school you're applying to.
For the Ivy League, a 650 range score is "average," as I've pointed out.
If you're applying to a school that requires three tests, then you will have to take the Chem exam.

The thing is, if you have, say, an A+ in Chem at your school, a sub-700 score will pretty much tell admissions officers that your school's curriculum isn't challenging.

If you have many more opportunities to take SAT IIs, if I were you, I would take the Chem now, see what score you get, and if you're dissatisfied, study harder and try again at a later date.

rob22

1) It depends on where you're applying. A 650 at Harvard would not look good, but a 650 at a state school probably wouldn't hurt.

2) If you got a 670 on a practice test, you can get much higher. To put it into perspective, I got a 720 on my Chem practice test. I got a 790 on the real thing. I just put in about 45 min a day for about 3 or 4 days leading up to the test ... you will see a significant boost once you are accustomed to the questions.

3) If you are enrolled in this course or the entry-level course of it, you can definitely improve. Taking the next level (AP/IB) can let you further your knowledge in the subject. However, most of this material is too in-depth to be directly tested, but most people receive higher scores after taking an AP class just because they know more about the material and are comfortable with it (plus, the SAT II after an AP test is a huge relief for most people...)

If you tell us where you are applying or thinking of applying and what courses you are enrolled in, that would help a lot.

P.S. If the worst happens, you can cancel the test (I believe immediately after taking it) at the testing center if you know you did poorly. <-- like 95% sure that's right.

applesandoranges

You can cancel if you know you did poorly, but you should have a basic idea of what your score is going to be before you take it.

dean5150

I think if I cancelled it, I'd have to cancel the others too, so I would want to avoid that.

I don't expect to go to Harvard, but if I was considering MIT as a BIG reach. I haven't made many specific choices yet, but I would also consider if a third subject test would help my chances of getting a scholarship or being accepted to a fairly good school.

I already took honors chem this year with an A+. I learned most of what's on it, and I agree that I could probably get over a 750 with a about 4-5 hours of study.

Now I think I'll just stick with the Math and Physics, though, because I don't see too much to gain, and I might not get around to those 4-5 hours. Thanks to all.

az1698

I would take chem, because if you can get the 750, its definitely worth it.