How much would this hurt my chances?

Test Preparation
1

<p>I’m applying to cornell ED and Carnegie Mellon next year and on my first SAT IIs i got a 660 on WH and 560 on Math I. I’m taking U.S History, Math II, and Physics next year. The reason i Got a 560 on Math I is that i left about 20 or more questions blank, due to the time. WH i didnt study at all for it. If i were to get an 800 on Math II and physics, and 770+ on U.S History, all of which is DEFINITELY possible, then would the Math I and WH scores hurt my chances?</p>

2

<p>I would think if anything that Math 2 would be a bigger time constraint than math 1. I’m not judging your abilities to perform well on standardized tests, but a 560 to an 800 (on a harder test), is not a realistic score if time was that big of an issue. Do you know that just b/c you didn’t do that well on Math 1 doesn’t mean you should just take Math 2? If you’re not comfortable with the higher level math tested on math 2, I would definitely not take it. My advice is to study more for math 1. Time yourself and take practice tests. Make sure you have around 5-10 minutes at the end to review all your answers/make sure all the bubbles are filled in correctly.</p>

<p>But to answer your main question, yes, they will hurt your chances. If you were to receive an 800 in physics or a high 700 in US History, they don’t cancel out your two lower scores. All scores are looked at for Cornell.</p>

3

<p>I didn’t fine the Math I hard, quite the contrary. except i wasnt looking at the time throughout the test and i was taking my time. with about 20 minutes left, i was startled to find i was only at question 27 or around there</p>

4

<p>You have score choice at a good number of schools, but at some you don’t, however most only require two and will only look at the 2 highest subject test scores.</p>

5

<p>Math I tests basic skills. Math II tests more difficult content. If time was your issue, it will still be your problem even if you take Math II. Still, most schools only consider your two highest scores.</p>

6

<p>If you got 560 on the Math I test, then I honestly don’t think you’ll score an 800 on Level II.</p>

<p>A 560 on Math I is in the 32nd percentile:</p>

<p><a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/SAT-Subject-Test-Percentile-Ranks-2009.pdf[/url]”>http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/SAT-Subject-Test-Percentile-Ranks-2009.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>It depends if the schools that you are looking at accept Score Choice. If they do, then just send your highest scores (and make sure that they’re competitive for the colleges you’re looking at). I can tell you right now that those scores would be on the low side for Cornell and Carnegie Mellon (regardless of ED). If they don’t accept Score Choice, then the college will see ALL of your scores- and there is a chance that the two SAT II scores you mentioned WILL hurt you when they examine your application holistically.</p>