<p>My son who is a junior currently will be taking his SAT1, Subject Tests and APs this coming months.</p>
<p>It has been suggested that he take the SAT1 in May and to sit for ALL 3 Subject Tests in June. </p>
<p>He has registered for the April 1 SAT1 but the school counselor suggests that he sit for SAT1 on April 1 and May 6. Still leaving June 3 for ALL 3 Subject Tests.</p>
<p>Son had thought of splitting the subject tests into US History in May (day after AP US History) and Chemistry & Math 2c in June.</p>
<p>My concern is the SAT1 is more important and hence need the 2 Test Dates but taking 3 Subject Tests on the same day is also too heavy.</p>
<p>Any suggestions/advice from experienced parents would be welcomed.</p>
<p>*Why take the SAT twice before the first scores are in? I just don't get that part. If SAT scores aren't up to snuff, then re-take in October. There will be time to analyze the test, find weaknesses, and address those.</p>
<p>*Do not, please, do not take all SAT IIs in one sitting. I tried that. I was fried at the end and stressed at the beginning. Also, if you split them up, there's an open test date to re-take a mediocre or bad score from the first session. </p>
<p>*I like the idea of taking the SAT II in history right after taking the AP for it - if he wouldn't be fried afterwards. Nice relaxing evening would be in order.</p>
<p>*It makes a lot, lot more sense to re-take the SAT as a senior (when scores will presumably be a bit better) than to re-take a bad subject test during senior year (when all of the knowledge will be a good six months old).</p>
<p>"*Why take the SAT twice before the first scores are in? I just don't get that part. If SAT scores aren't up to snuff, then re-take in October. There will be time to analyze the test, find weaknesses, and address those."</p>
<p>I am not sure why the school is so persistent in the kids taking the May SAT1. Could it be the curve?</p>
<p>"*Do not, please, do not take all SAT IIs in one sitting. I tried that. I was fried at the end and stressed at the beginning. Also, if you split them up, there's an open test date to re-take a mediocre or bad score from the first session."</p>
<p>Exactly my fear. Which open test date are you referring to? Are you saying that if he has a mediocre score from the May Test (US History), he will re-take it together with the Chemistry and the Math 2c in June (ending up with 3 subject tests)?</p>
<p>"*I like the idea of taking the SAT II in history right after taking the AP for it - if he wouldn't be fried afterwards. Nice relaxing evening would be in order.</p>
<p>*It makes a lot, lot more sense to re-take the SAT as a senior (when scores will presumably be a bit better) than to re-take a bad subject test during senior year (when all of the knowledge will be a good six months old)."</p>
<p>Good point. So the October test date would be reserved for SAT 1 retake if neccessary (contrary to what some people advise that you should take it at least twice to improve the scores of the various sections)</p>
<p>Second the suggestion:
3 SAT IIs in 1 day is too much, 2 is fine.</p>
<p>This is based on knowing many kids,
& my own kids (with very high test scores).
2 SAT II's also means a more thorough & manageable prep process.
Good luck!</p>
<p>DS took the SAT 1, 3 times, best score the second time, in June. Took the SAT IIs twice. First time he took 2, chem and math2c. Great on the math2c, so so on the chem. Took them again in October, 3 at one time, chem, bio and us history and did much, much better. Chem went up 100+ points. He said he was more in the mood, whatever that means.</p>
<p>I can see taking 3 at once being really draining. He just isn't wired that way so for him it was "easier" taking 3 at once. And by the time he had taken the SAT1 for the third time he was sick of it. Sick of tests. He had taken 8 AP exams in the spring and just didn't want anymore tests. He did take the ACT once, in the fall of his senior year and did score even higher than he had on the SAT. Scores rose the most in science and reading, really bumped his composite.</p>
<p>So, that's what happened with the kiddo, senior this year.</p>
<p>I did it...it was stressful but to be honest not all that bad. They are only about 50 questions each. If it doesn't matter taking 2 and then taking 1 would be ok I suppose - but after he walks out after taking 2 he may have wished he had just taken the third. I'd say it is still not as bad as taking the regular SAT or ACT even though the material is harder. </p>
<p>In the end if your kid is a Junior he may want to just take all 3 in one sitting and then if he wants to retake he can do that next fall/winter (I only took them in fall/winter)</p>
<p>My son did fine with 3 tests in one sitting, but that was back in the days when one of the tests was SAT II Writing. (Which of course now has been incorporated into the SAT I)</p>
<p>However, I'd like to suggest something: it is possible to sign up for one SAT II only -- and then add other tests after you get to the test center. You pay for only one test - you will receive a bill in the mail for the extra cost of the additional tests. This is really an excellent option -- because the kid can prioritize the tests where he thinks he will do best, and then make a decision based on his own energy level. Feeling tired after 2 hours? Go home. Perky and in the "zone"? Opt for another test.</p>
<p>Katwkittens: "DS took the SAT 1, 3 times, best score the second time, in June. Took the SAT IIs twice. First time he took 2, chem and math2c. Great on the math2c, so so on the chem. Took them again in October, 3 at one time, chem, bio and us history and did much, much better. Chem went up 100+ points. He said he was more in the mood, whatever that means."</p>
<p>You can tell I am new at this, refering to son instead of DS. lol
Katwkittens, if DS took SAT1 3 times and the 2nd time was in June of Junior year, when was the 3rd? After October of Senior year? </p>
<p>If my DS takes SAT1 in April, break up the Subject Tests into US History in May and Chemistry & Math 2c in June, there will only be 1 Test date left open for any retakes i.e. October (to be in time for early actions/decision)</p>
<p>There is no room for error since you can only take either the SAT1 or Subject Tests on any given test date. </p>
<p>ariesathena, you can actually get the results for the SAT1 taken on April 1 about 2 weeks later, online. So there will be at least 1 week for DS to analyse that test results.</p>
<p>My head is spinning right now and I do not want to put any further pressure on DS. However, Tests registrations have to be completed. Help!!!!!</p>
<p>Taking 3 SAT Subject Tests is not an ordeal. </p>
<p>The biggest issue is the danger of running out of available dates. One solution is to sign up for the 3 tests and, if needed, walk out after the second.</p>
<p>PS The curve is not relevant. The myth of easier dates is just that: an old-wife tale that does not want to die.</p>
<p>"My son did fine with 3 tests in one sitting, but that was back in the days when one of the tests was SAT II Writing. (Which of course now has been incorporated into the SAT I)</p>
<p>However, I'd like to suggest something: it is possible to sign up for one SAT II only -- and then add other tests after you get to the test center. You pay for only one test - you will receive a bill in the mail for the extra cost of the additional tests. This is really an excellent option -- because the kid can prioritize the tests where he thinks he will do best, and then make a decision based on his own energy level. Feeling tired after 2 hours? Go home. Perky and in the "zone"? Opt for another test."</p>
<p>Great suggestion Calmom. (hope I am as calm as calm mom)
DS's college counselor actually said something along those lines. Try to take 3 tests in June . If 1 of the subjects has a poor score retake in October. Or if feeling too tired after 2 hours, take the 3rd in October.</p>
<p>The other suggestion that was questioned was the SAT1 being taken back to back in April and May this year.</p>
<p>A week to analyze the results isn't great. If he does badly - much lower than on practice test and on the PSAT - then an immediate re-take makes a lot of sense. Other than that, a week just isn't much time to really figure out how to improve. Xiggi has some great test-prep suggestions, and the main one is to find out what you did wrong, why it is wrong, and figure out how to get that type of question right. There simply is not enough time in one week to analyze his first test and prep for a second one. </p>
<p>The second score might be higher by chance, but it won't be higher because of improved abilities or intellectual development. If your son's weak point is vocabulary on the verbal (just doesn't know enough of it) and geometry on the math section, he would be best served by spending the summer reading a lot of books and learning vocabulary, then learning the geometry (and the shortcuts). If he doesn't finish either section, he'll need to learn test-taking skills which will allow him to maximize his score. </p>
<p>You just can't do that in a week. If you can, then why take it twice - just take it once - your scores should be top-notch anyway.</p>
<p>Personally, I'd take the SAT II's in May, especially if he has AP classes. Take all 3 on that day. You can retake if need be. Take the SAT once now and once in the fall of senior year. That's what I would do.</p>
<p>My D took all 3 SATIIs at once, Lit, Bio and Math. Did great on all three. Even 3 tests are easier that the SATI. Now that writing is included, that test is long and hard. Makes taking 3 multiple choice tests seem like a breeze.</p>
<p>Definitely take the US History the day after the AP, no matter what. I did that, got a 5 and 800...you're studying for the same test!</p>
<p>Also, I personally would split up the SAT II's because I tried to take all 3 at one time and my third one was a 690. I retook it in October and it jumped to a 790 because I wasn't tired and stressed out at that point.</p>
<p>He can take the SAT I in June if he decides to take them all on the same time.
Remember that if he's applying early anywhere he's got 2 test dates - October and November to take the SAT and applying regular he actually has 4 test dates (also December and January) durin ghis senior year to take the SAT I.
(May I advise the ACT as well, it has an October testing date also.)</p>
<p>Gospy: "Personally, I'd take the SAT II's in May, especially if he has AP classes. Take all 3 on that day. You can retake if need be. Take the SAT once now and once in the fall of senior year. That's what I would do."</p>
<p>Gospy, are you suggesting that the SAT IIs be retaken in June if need be, ie May and June. While the SAT I be taken once in April of Junior year and once in fall of senior year.</p>
<p>My entire AP History class agreed that taking the SAT II History the day after the test would have been the smartest decision possible. Cramming for the AP History sucks, frankly, and no kid is going to want to re-study for the SAT II. Nevertheless, I liked taking the SAT I after a week of AP tests because I felt in "testing mode," and the four hours felt pretty easy. </p>
<p>I never did SAT practice tests, and I only took the SAT once. Don't assume your son will want to retake them. Also look at the different testing dates, and make sure they all work. The June SAT date was always the day after our Prom, so you need to watch out for stuff like that. </p>
<p>I only took two SAT IIs in June (I had the Math 2c from a couple years prior), but I felt pretty tired and was ready to go home. My June SAT II scores were the lowest of all my scores by 50-180 points, and that could have been because of the timing (school was just out and everything) or the tests I took. </p>
<p>I didn't even know there was an April testing date--shows how much I know! If he is in pre-calc, he should definitely wait to take the math until June, but if he's above that he can take that in April, if he wants. He should look over the material to review it, if he's in a higher math class. My whole history class, as I said, wished we had taken the SAT II history in May, but it would be difficult for him to take other SAT IIs that day, if he hasn't finished pre-calc or chem.</p>
<p>You have a lot of options! Whatever you and he choose, I'm sure it will all work out fine.</p>
<p>Here's another input to the OP:
what tests/when to take, should also be based on your S's intended major area/field.</p>
<p>If he's math/science, then it's possible that he does NOT need SAT II US Hist,
since he will have AP score in that subject;
and if he has all the required # of SAT IIs from other subjects (bio, physics?)</p>