then converted to a scaled score.
So, what’s a good score on the SAT Chemistry Subject Test? Well, a good score
is one that falls in or above the range that the colleges you are interested in state
as desirable. On the scale from 200 to 800, 500 is considered the average score
of all test takers. If you score higher than this, your performance on the test is
above average—if you score lower, then your performance is below average.
Along with your regular score, you’ll receive a percentile rank; this is another
indication of how you fared in relation to all of the other test takers. If you
receive a percentile ranking of 60 percent, that means that you scored higher
than 60 percent of test takers and lower than 40 percent of test takers. But keep
in mind that even if your score is below average or below the range that the
schools of your choice list as being desirable for entrance, this doesn’t
necessarily mean that you won’t get into these schools. Your scores on the SAT
Subject Tests are not the only factor that goes into the admissions decision.
A Couple of Words About Score Choice™
As of March 2009, you can choose which SAT Subject Test (and regular SAT)
scores you want colleges to see by using Score Choice™. This is great news! So
if, for example, you take the French test followed by the Chemistry test, but
don’t think the Chemistry test went very well, you can simply opt to have that
Chemistry score withheld from the schools to which you are applying.
Score Choice is optional for students—this means that you have to opt in and
actively choose which specific tests you want to send to colleges. If you choose
not to use Score Choice, then all of the scores on file for you will automatically
be sent when you request that score reports be sent to the colleges you’re
applying to.
Students should still feel comfortable sending all scores, since most colleges
consider a student’s best score.
A searchable list of colleges and their requested SAT score submission
requirements, as well as more information on Score Choice, can be found at the
College Board website at www.collegeboard.org.