I am currently doing the IB Diploma and will be applying for Engineering. I know that the requirements are 7 in Maths HL and 7 in Physics HL. However, my Math teacher has a very bad history of NEVER predicting/awarding a 7 to anyone. Because of this, my predicted score will suffer, though I am the top student in math. I’m worried that I’ll not even be given an interview for this reason. What can be done about this?
Can you talk to the teacher and ask him what his intentions are? Ask for a meeting. Do it with a parent/counselor present. Otherwise, can you take SAT 2 subject tests to show strength in those areas? Or take the AP exams next year, but the scores won’t be back until July, which is too late, but maybe they will approve it conditionally.
^ Agree with above. A letter from the teacher regarding his prediction policy and attesting to your strength as a student might help.
I have already scored an 800 on SAT Math II. As far as the teacher is concerned, he openly confesses that he does not predict or even award such scores. Unfortunately, the school supports this, as he thinks that IB Math papers are very unpredictable and students tend to get overconfident regarding the subject. I really don’t know what to do. Please help.
Then go to the head of the school. Your teacher is being unreasonable. Explain what you said above, and specifically ask the head of the school how to handle this situation. Or talk to your school counselor, if there is one, and ask the same. And GET YOUR PARENTS INVOLVED.
I had done that this March. That’s why I know “he openly confesses that he does not predict or even award such scores. Unfortunately, the school supports this”. They are not willing to even give a written explanation for this. All they say is, “This is the school policy.” Is there a way we can report this to the IB anonymously or something? And what can we say to the university?
Then you must get an accompanying letter from either the head or school counselor and submit it with your application to explain the school’s policy. Your parents should make a big stink and demand at least a letter. You have an 800 in math 2, so that will help. Be a squeaky wheel. Keep pestering them until they give you something. Do not take no for an answer. I would also take SAT 2 physics if you are applying for engineering, as it will help your app.
SAT Math won’t be accepted at Cambridge, though you could sub in AP Calc BC.
The school can write a note with your predictions, saying that ‘as a matter of policy we do not provide predictions of 7 for any student’ and the person writing your LoR can note that you are the top student in your math class. No guarantee, but if you are fixed on Cambridge it is your only bet.
Have you/will you participate in any national math exams like the AMC 12 or the AIME? If so, would mention scores there in your personal statement as another marker on your math skills.
I am not an American student.