Hello,
I have taken the SAT twice now. My first overall SAT score was mediocre, 2050, but my second SAT score was really good, at 2180. My “super score” is 2200.
On the reading and writing sections, I scored 790 and 740, respectively. On the math sections, I scored 670 the first time and 650 the second time. These are good but not great scores.
The irony is that I am in AP Calculus AB, I received an A in the class (no small feat with this particular teacher), and I am on track to get a 5 on the exam. My teacher is very tough. Her pass rate for the AP exam is typically 98%, and her LOWEST rate of students with 5s on the exam was 62%. Typically, she prepares students so well for the AP exam and her tests are so difficult that even students with Cs end up with 5s on the exam. So my success in that class is no small accomplishment. I have also received A grades in all previous math classes.
However, I’m still very concerned over my low SAT math score. I understand that college admissions officers look at individual section scores rather than the overall score when they review your application. I want to go to Yale and study Molecular Biology, so math is necessary to my career goals and intended major. Yale’s 25th percentile for the math section is 710. I am well below that. Will my AP exam score and grade in AP Calculus make up for that
Other things about me: I have a 4.0 unweighted GPA for the past three years of high school; I will complete a total of 10 AP courses by the time I finish high school, included AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Physics, and AP Calculus AB & BC; I have outstanding extracurricular involvement, included multiple years of participation in each activity and strong leadership roles. Although I want to pursue science, I am reconsidering my intended major and career. I have participated in many activities not related to science, and when I took the AP Chemistry exam last year, I only scored a 4.
Should I retake the SAT in the fall? I plan on applying to Yale early, and I don’t want to stress out over the test and my results.
Thank you!
Retaking the SAT won’t hurt, and scoring better can only help your chances, however I don’t think your score’s bad enough to impact your overall application significantly. You have great ECs and grades and your SAT is still in top percentile bracket so I wouldn’t worry. If your aiming Ivy League you might as well retake the SAT or try the ACT just because the applicant pool is so competitive and you need every edge you can get, even with as good as stats as yours.
I would suggest maybe trying the ACT to see if you can score higher (different formatting – you might find it easier). I would also suggest taking the Math II subject test. The material on it is probably more relevant to what you’ve been studying (as opposed to the regular math section of the SAT which covers material learned early on in high school). A good score on the Math II exam could show that you actually do know what you’re doing.
If you get a 4/5 on AP calculus, personally I wouldn’t bother retaking the SAT.
As a general rule, I think most students should stay away from the Math 2 subject test if they aren’t scoring over 700 on the Math section of the SAT. Of course, some schools / majors require or recommend it, so you have to take that into account too.
Taking a crack at the ACT is also a good suggestion per @Ranza123
I wouldn’t start studying for the ACT at this point since OP has demonstrated that they can score well on two sections of the SAT. The math on the ACT is unlikely to be much different than the math on the SAT so switching tests is not the answer. Plus, OP would lose the benefit of superscoring this next test with the other two SAT exams for schools that superscore. I think you should retake the exam in the fall and use the summer to concentrate on SAT math. Since you have already demonstrated you can work at a high level in math, you should have no problem improving your score. It is an area you can definitely improve with practice. I would be surprised if your score didn’t improve by at least 100 points if you review the concepts and take at least 8 practice math exams over the summer. If for some reason, your scores are not improving, then find an SAT tutor or see if your HS math teacher is willing to help you. Good luck!