<p>I'm a junior now and I have taken two SAT Subject tests (Math 2 and Physics).
I'm wondering whether it's necessary for me to take another subject test ( it would be chemistry).
Will it hurt my chance to those top schools (MIT is my dream school) if I only take two subject tests? If not, I think I would not take another one since I need time to prepare for my SAT, TOEFL and other things.
I'm an international student from China.</p>
<p>I suggest that you take another subject test.</p>
<p>Definitely take another one!!! Especially if you are thinking of Harvard which requires 3. Schools like it if you take at least one humanities SAT II, so possibly a language, english lit, or history. It makes you seem more well rounded if you do that.</p>
<p>It shouldn’t hurt your chances espiscally if you applying to schools like MIT… IMO i think you are fine as is.</p>
<p>MIT only requires one math and one science SAT II. So you’ll be fine with just Math and Physics. Taking other SAT IIs may be helpful for other schools, but probably not MIT.</p>
<p>To find out what your specific college options require, you can either search their websites or search for “Common Data Set” for each college. Admission requirements are in section C of the Common Data Set. I like the CDS because it sets out all the admission requirements of the college in one place. Of about 15 colleges on my daughter’s current list of possibilities, only one (Princeton) requires 2; no college on her list requires 3. </p>
<p>If you haven’t taken the SAT or ACT yet, I recommend concentrating on that and the TOEFL before taking a third SAT II; and if you don’t have to take a third SAT II, I wouldn’t do so. But don’t just take my word for it; see what each potential college says.</p>
<p>Harvard and Georgetown are the only US colleges that require three Subject Tests. Several others will accept 3 Subject Tests in lieu of submitting the SAT/ACT, but MIT is not among them. I am in the camp that says you are good to go with two tests, so long as your scores are 750+.</p>
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<p>I have found the Common App website to be a good, comprehensive source of individual schools’ SAT II requirements:
<a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/docs/downloadforms/common2009_Grid.pdf[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/docs/downloadforms/common2009_Grid.pdf</a></p>
<p>MIT requires 2. Harvard and Georgetown are the only ones that require three. Northwestern and Hopkins don’t require any but recommend three. And MIT says the following:</p>
<p>“It doesn’t matter how many SAT subject tests you take. If you take, for example, math, physics, and chemistry, MIT will only take into consideration the math and the better science score.” </p>
<p>In other words if you already have two good scores ignore all the advice about taking more because it considers only the math and the highest science score.</p>
<p>For MIT specifically, if you have good scores, you’re solid.</p>
<p>Princeton requires three as well</p>
<p>Thanks a lot.
MIT is my dream school! I love physics~~
Since I’m a Chinese student and almost all students who apply colleges here take three subject tests, which makes me kind worry that if I only take two, I may be in disadvantage comparing to others.</p>
<p>Now I feel much better.
Really appreciate all your replies.</p>
<p>PRJ–Thanks so much for the link to the Common App’s list of admission requirements of various schools. I wish I’d known about this before I made my own chart based on common data sets! The CDS for each school is still useful for detailed information, but the Common App list has all the basic information for each school in one place.</p>
<p>Tito777–I believe that you are mistaken about Princeton requiring three subject tests. The Common App list says Princeton requires two, and the Princeton guide distributed to visitors says on page 59: “In addition, all applicants must submit the results of two different SAT Subject Tests.” I wouldn’t want you, the OP or anyone else to have to take any more tests than absolutely necessary, except by choice!</p>
<p>^Princeton req’d three subject tests until this application season. Tito777 is just a bit out of date.</p>