I got a 660 in World History, I don’t have any more opportunities to take them again. Should I submit it? I’m applying to top colleges that recommend 2 and I have a 770 in math 2. I study History at A-level (I’m from the UK- green card holder) but in A-level History we only cover Russian history (1917-1953) and Tudor England history. Is it worth me telling them I learnt the world history course by myself and if so where should I do this?
They recommend but don’t require. I would only send the 770 if it is top-tier schools you are looking at. For less selective schools the 660 is worth sending too, so what schools are you targeting?
Ivy’s mostly and a few others like Michigan, Chicago, UCLA.
From what I understand when they said they recommend I take 2 it means take 2 unless you can’t afford to?
As to Michigan and Chicago, subject test scores are neither required nor recommended. Those two colleges may give them some consideration if submitted and consider them only if they might help you and thus you can submit both. UCLA now recommends subject tests only if you are applying to the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and I assume you are not applying to that school since the subject tests recommended for that are a math and a science and you took history rather than a science. Submitting both will not hurt you at UCLA but may be pointless.
I agree with you and for some I’m not submitting at all as I took the ACT with writing but for colleges like Princeton should I submit both?
The question you need to ask yourself is does the score help your admissions case or hurt it. If the score doesn’t enhance the app than I would not submit it unless a college “requires” it.
Unfortunately, it’s a bit of a no-win situation. Almost no one ever takes only one Subject Test - almost all schools want either none of two (or 3). Submit only one and they will assume (correctly) that you omitted a low score.
Certainly leave it out when not “recommended”. I’d probably go ahead and send it when recommended.
I’m not sure that “my school didn’t cover the content” is a good excuse for your scores. There are thousands of students who self study subjects (you aren’t the only one) and do well, especially those who are applying to Ivys. When colleges say that SAT Subject scores are recommended or optional, the excuse that they are looking for is something more along the lines of “I couldn’t afford test prep.”
That would be a terrible “excuse” to try to use to not send test scores.
Schools have been quite clear that they make it optional when the actual cost of the tests themselves would be a financial burden.