@ProfessorMom1 No question is dumb on these forums!
Under the admissions section of their websites most schools will have a stats portion about the incoming class of students. This reflects no only those offered admittance, but those attending, so it is an extremely useful gauge of the academic fit of the school to your child. Some list the median score. Most list the 25-75% scores - also know as the Mid-50 - meaning 50% of students attending score within that range. Realistically the 25% range is often hooked applicants: URM, legacy, First Gen, Geography etc. If your stats match the 25% and you don’t have something else in your app thats a push the likelihood of admittance is slim.
Note: I suggest using the actual college website to find this info. Sites like Prepscholar have much higher numbers, coincidently they are also trying to sell test prep programs!
Heres a quote from a NY Times article quoted the admissions director at Midd:
“It’s not unusual for the middle 50 percent of our entering classes to have SAT scores on each of the tests from the mid-600s to mid-700s. That is to say that if your scores are in that range, they will probably have a “neutral” effect on your candidacy at the nation’s most selective colleges. If your scores are higher than that, you may be at an advantage in the admissions process at those colleges, but by no means guaranteed of being admitted. If they are lower, you are probably at a disadvantage, but again, not necessarily out of the running.”
D took subject tests but didn’t do as well as hoped. (She’s the kind of kid that regularly scores 100 pts lower on the day she takes the actual test that matters vs taking a practice test in a test center… ugh!). Her scores were just below the 50% SAT median for the school she is ED1 so her CC told her it was best not to submit the scores as they would hinder not help. Meaning it was better to ‘not show’ than to ‘show average’.
I think for large schools with many applicants the process is driven more by numbers than at smaller schools and in those cases subject tests may be warranted. All Ivys want subject tests, most elite publics do too.
Not a single school D applied to “recommended” subject tests (all small LAC). When D took the practice test and scored in the 90%+ range CC told her thats great but its “not going to really matter very much”. So while she was bummed when she did not do as well on the real test she was not crushed. She had time to re-take but CC told her not to bother.
I do agree that for upper middle class kids there is an expectation of students knowing about them and taking them. I do think that by not submitting you are implying that you did not do well on them but I doubt that not submitting them to a school where they are “considered” will put your app directly in the no pile. If you have time certainly take them. If you do great on them then yes - submit!