SAT II Scores

insomniac159
Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:26:46 +0000

So, what types of scores are neccessary for Princeton admission? Obviously, they are considered as a single part of the greater picture of your application, but still, what scores would I need to be “safe” in that sense?

I took three subject tests in June, and these were my scores:

Math 2: 730
Biology M: 730
World History: 590

Okay, so obviously the World History one is bad. I got a 650 on the practice test I think. I haven’t taken the class in over a year now, so I didn’t think it was terrible, but I’m not sure it’ll be acceptable. What about my Math 2 and Biology M scores? Are they alright? I hear people all the time saying that they need to get scores above 750, but is it honestly really that neccessary to spend weeks preparing for a single test like this? I prepared for those with a single practice test. Is that enough?

Either way, I think I’ll register to take three more tests in the fall. Which three do you think would be easiest for me to score best on? My strengths lie in math and science, but I’m pretty good at English too. I really suck at history (obviously). Sophomore year I took AP World History and Honors Chemistry (our school just cut AP). Last year I took AP Calculus BC, AP Biology, AP Language & Composition, and AP US History. I definitely do not feel comfortable taking the history test. I’d probably do worse than I did on the World History test. But then what other choices are there? I’m taking AP Physics, AP Environmental Science, AP Literature, AP Psychology, AP French, and Multivariate Calculus/Differential Equations next year. So I’m not really sure I’m prepared for any of the other tests since I’ll be taking the classes for them NEXT year.

On that note, should I maybe take Biology E (I’m about equally prepared as I was on Biology M), Math 1 or 2, and something else? My friend took the French and only got in the 600s, and she’s typically better than me at French. Would my Honors Chemistry class have been enough to prepare me for the subject test? Would I be able to pass Literature maybe?

If it helps to put my SAT II scores into perspective, these are my other scores:

ACT: 33 (35 E, 34 M, 30 R, 31 S, 10 Essay) - Second Chance, first try was a 30 with an 11 Essay
SAT I: 2100 (670 CR, 650 M, 780 W) - Retaking and predicting a 2200-2300ish
AP World History: 4
AP Calculus BC: predicting a definite 5, maybe a 4 at the very least
AP Biology: predicting a probably 5, but a possible 4
AP US History: predicting a possible 5, but maybe a 4
AP Language & Composition: predicting a probable 5, maybe a 4 at the very least

Are AP scores in corresponding areas taken into account at all when looking at subject tests? For instance, would I be somewhat better off because I got a 5 on my BC Calc exam even though I only got a 730 on the Math 2?

This has been an incredibly long post, so thanks to anyone who actually read it! I would REALLY love some feedback on this issue.

Thanks again!