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Hi guys,

Right now I'm really wondering if I should take the SAT IIs or not. I did good on my SAT1s- 1440, 740M 700V, and I registered for the October SAT IIs. However, I took some SAT II practice tests and did terribly - 600. If I ever do take the SATIIs in October, will colleges see them along with my SAT I scores? Or do I have the option to show or not to show my SAT II scores?

At first, I thought that you must submit ALL your test scores, all SAT 1 and 2 scores. But my friends say otherwise.

and sorry for the bad grammar, i'm in a bit of a rush.

Thanks!

By Meganc123 (Meganc123) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 09:55 am: Edit

You must submit all SAT and SATII scores that you take. I would say if any of your colleges require SATII, take it. If they don't, don't take it.

By Drusba (Drusba) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 11:23 am: Edit

With SAT you don't have options. Whenever you order any one official SAT score sent to a college, the College Board automatically sends all SAT I and II scores it has on file for you. Your friends also shoul be told that your high school sticks all of your scores (ACT's and SAT I and II's) on the official transcript that gets sent to colleges; in other words, it is really difficult to avoid providing a score to a college.

By Ohio_Mom (Ohio_Mom) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 01:24 pm: Edit

If your hs does not put SAT's on your transcript (not all do), you have a tiny bit of flexibility.

First, cancel your October test or concentrate only on one test (this is what my son is doing) and just take that if you think you can break 700 in it.

Then, send your scores to all your colleges.

Register for the November SAT II's and choose no colleges to send to. Then, when you get your scores, only send them if they will help your case. In your case, over 700 will help, significantly under 700 will make your transcript look weak.

By Neophyte31 (Neophyte31) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 08:04 pm: Edit

Thanks folks. This helped a lot. What if I already registered for my SAT IIs this coming October and decided not to take them? Will colleges see that I registered but didn't take them.

Also, all the schools I am applying to: (Claremont McKenna, NYU, Northwestern, and Skidmore College) do not require the SAT IIs. However, they say it is recommended. Does this mean if I do not submit SAT II scores, my chances of getting into the school are lowered?

By Mwlgal (Mwlgal) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 11:37 pm: Edit

Would someone have some advice on Neophyte31's question above. I've been wondering the same. How should I interpret SATII optional, vs highly recommended? Is optional really just that, or would it hurt the cause if you sent anything other than stellar scores? Thanks

By Drusba (Drusba) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 12:10 am: Edit

It is a question those colleges don't answer publicly. People do get in to those schools without II's (my daughter was admitted to Northwestern with only the ACT) but many construe recommended to mean you are better off doing so because likely the majority will. However, sending low scores is worse than sending none.