<p>Biology E 580<br>
Literature 620<br>
U.S. History 590</p>
<p>I know, I did really badly (for someone with top grades....). However, I did these tests with only a week of prep and zero classes (I'm also an international student, so U.S. History is extremely new to me.). Lost my focus during the Literature test, seeing as I was too exhausted to read the passages properly....hence the score. Think I could get at least 750s if I start preparing for the May or June session(s) now? </p>
<p>You should definitely retake as these scores are very poor. You can’t send these to any top uni’s as it will only lower ur chances.</p>
<p>Do you think I could really improve with enough time to prepare, though? </p>
<p>Seeing that u have more than 2 months to prep and u say that u are a top student, I think u can increase ur score by 100-150 points in each subject.</p>
<p>Alright, thanks! </p>
<p>@calmer410 There you are again haha!
Why did you choose US History if you have not taken it before/are an international applicant? Have you tried a Math subject test? </p>
<p>Hi, @book05! 
Haha! Well, because it’s a fascinating subject. I prepared for it in 2 days, which explains my score. I study A-Level Politics, though…and my concentration is U.S. Politics. Oh, I’m going to do more subject tests. I have to do Math 2, I think. </p>
<p>@calmer410 I took AP History for a semester and though I got an A+(the teacher loved me and I worked hard), I wouldn’t recommend the subject test. It is a lot of memorizing and studying.
I think sciences are great for internationals. You should probably start preparing earlier and you will be fine. What are you aiming for? </p>
<p>@book05 Hmmmm, I think memorisation was not my problem…just the lack of time in general. I’ll see whether my retake turns out much better. Or, I could just opt for another subject. Will decide soon. I’m definitely doing all the Sciences. 
As in, which colleges am I aiming for? </p>
<p>So I took the subject tests last May and did not prepare at all. I scored a 540 in Spanish and a 640 in literature. I took them again in January, and did not do much “studying” until a week before the test. I raised my scores by 240 and 140 points, respectively.
That being said, I really only studied for a week, about 3-4 hours each night. You can definitely significantly raise your scores by May. </p>
<p>@calmer410 I just think you have to study more for US History than for instance, Literature. As in what score are you aiming for? </p>
<p>Thanks, @kps2014! I needed that! </p>
<p>@book05 Good idea, I’ll work on it. 750+? 800 for Literature, hopefully! </p>
<p>I am sure you can pull off those scores! You have plenty of time left. Don’t be discouraged. Personally I also find it impressive to see how one has improved. </p>
<p>Thanks for the encouragement, I feel really motivated to give it my all now. Which universities are you applying to, by the way? </p>
<p>What year are you in school? Ideally you would take the subject tests at the end of the school year in which you had just completed the corresponding class. If you are taking AP anything, take the AP exam in May and the subject test in June. You’ll probably want to do a small amount of review before the subject test, but you should definitely familiarize yourself with the test format prior to taking the subject test (and the AP).</p>
<p>@crazymomster I’m following the British system, so I’m doing my A-Levels. Year 12. I tried doing APs a few years ago, there were no test centres except for the American schools here. I go to a British school, so yes. 
I have to do a lot of reviewing, seeing as I’m learning U.S. History and Biology E from scratch (yes, my Biology in school is completely different…).</p>
<p>@calmer410, Have you looked at the testing requirements for colleges you are interested in? It sounds like you are going way overboard and making this much harder than it has to be. Most top schools only require 2 tests (check programs for requirements). Why would you take a test like the BioE which you say is completely different from the Bio in your school, or US history, which you say is extremely new to you? You are meant to show them your strengths, not go crazy prepping for and taking 6? tests, some of which apparently aren’t aligned with what you’ve studied in school. Unless there are specific requirements (if you’re looking at a STEM major, you should probably include math and a science even if they don’t specifically require that) just pick 2-3 that you feel you will do the best on. There’s no reason to learn something from scratch just to take one of these tests. Pick a different test.</p>
<p>So true!</p>
<p>US History is not easy, even for American kids who have taken AP USH… that’s not a good choice for an international student to take :-).</p>
<p>Math should be an easy choice, but beyond that… find one that you feel you have gotten an adequate amount of prep for through your school/education. Also, some schools will accept ACT with writing and will not require any subject tests. Like mathyone says… check what the requirements are.</p>
<p>Don’t stress yourself if you don’t need to :-)</p>
<p>@mathyone Honestly, I think the Ecology part of Bio E saved my marks. It was the Plant Biology which I struggled with, amongst other things. The Genetics + Evolution parts are my strongest, seeing as those two things are related to what I wish to do. I have to do three, so yeah. I don’t understand my U.S. History marks, seeing as I have a pretty good grasp of the material I had to read (AMSCO). I’m wondering, because I had no trouble answering almost all of the questions. </p>
<p>Yes, I’ll do Maths later on. Thanks, everyone! </p>
<p>I’m impressed by your willingness to challenge yourself! The person/people who said you had “poor scores” wasn’t taking your international status into account.</p>
<p>Sure, take it again. You will do great with more study. Maybe take an SAT II in your area of strength. </p>