<p>My daughter just got a 590 on the subject test. You think her chances to go to a good college are shot? She is in the top 10% of her class and will be a junior this yr. </p>
<p>Scared mom!</p>
<p>Relax. Her chances aren’t shot. I don’t know what type of scores she needs for the schools she is interested in, but she will have the option of not having that score forwarded to colleges if she so chooses. Here’s a link to an article explaining that College Board will be offering a choice as to which scores to send for high schoolers graduating in 2012 or later: [SAT</a> will let students pick which scores to show colleges - Los Angeles Times](<a href=“http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sat21-2008jun21,0,1318580.story]SAT”>Multiple choice for SAT takers)</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, did she study much for the test? If so, which books did she use? My son used Barrons and found it to be excellent prep. If she wants to re-take the exam, I’d recommend studying from it and planning ahead since that test is only offered in June and December. I wish they would change the frequency.</p>
<p>Thank you for the link. My heart sank first when I read the 2012 date. But it is actually starting for 2010 graduates. </p>
<p>She didn’t use the Barron’s manual. She used Princeton and had just taken the AP exam in May. She was making 95s in the class.</p>
<p>sleepieone, I’m in a similar situation. I’m trying to shoot for an ivyleague, but my current world history SAT score was not so good… </p>
<p>So… with this new policy, I can choose my top 3 and the colleges will ONLY look at my top 3 scores?? your link says that I have to call collegeboard before and tell them that I don’t want to send my score or else that they will be able to see my other scores as well. </p>
<p>Anyways, I am graduating in 2010, so I’m delighted.</p>
<p>I’m sorry. I made a typo with that 2012. I knew it was 2010. With a background like that, I bet she could study from Barron’s and get an 800. My son took WH his sophomore year, and then studied from Barron’s prior to taking the test in June after his junior year. He got an 800.</p>
<p>Sleepieone: Here is what you just gleaned from the test. Your daughter’s school is not nearly as academically competitive as other schools. A 95 in most honors programs at good public high schools should translate to around a 650 or higher. If it is a private high school, a 95 in the class should mean at least a 700.
Your school either has grade inflation or is not academically rigorous.</p>
<p>The good news is that colleges will know this and will take into account low subject test scores. Your other option would be to up your daughters level of coursework from regular to honors or honors to AP, or to have her transfer to a different school. </p>
<p>The flip side of this, however, is that she may reach a top college and be totally unprepared for the rigors. I suggest you seek a private educational consultant in your area who can clear this up and highlight your options. A one hour consultation may cost about $100 but in the grand scheme of your daughter’s higher education is well worth the investment.</p>
<p>Thanks for your suggestion. </p>
<p>Personally, I think her school is great. I just don’t think she is good at taking test. Kind of like me:(</p>
<p>The teachers seem to prepare them so much for the AP exam that I can’t believe the don’t even show them the option for Subject test. </p>
<p>In fact, I am working with a college coach who suggested she should take the test to open her options for small colleges. Personally, I would like for her to stay in state.</p>
<p>We will just see how we do the PSAT this year (as it counts). Maybe we will grow along the way and get better at test taking.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>One thing you might do is ask what the range of scores was among those who took the test from her class. That will give you more of a handle on whether the problem is test taking skills or the class. BTW a perfectly good class - especially in something as wide-ranging as World History - may just have emphasized different topics from the SAT exam. My son didn’t take the SAT partly for that reason - his class prepared for the AP test, and for the NYS Regents test. I know that next year his AP US History class will align very well with the SAT2 test, so he’ll plan on taking that SAT subject test then.</p>
<p>The nice thing about SAT going to score choice is that you will be able to pick and choose among the best SAT scores your daughter ends up with. There are also lots of good schools that are SAT optional.</p>