<p>Is taking 5 (different) Subject Tests too many?</p>
<p>Right now I have taken 4, and I have gotten decent scores on them (all 750 or above). But to my parents that’s not good enough, and they want me to either…</p>
<li>Retake my most recent one – namely Chemistry</li>
</ol>
<p>OR</p>
<li>Take another one (different one) – namely US History</li>
</ol>
<p>What should I do? I would use the summer to study.</p>
<p>BTW, They’re looking at schools like Harvard, MIT, etc.</p>
<p>Well, if you can do it and you don't mind, then it won't hurt you, but school won't accept more than 3 anyways so whatever. you basically only need 1 math and 1 science and then 1 random one.</p>
<p>your parents are dumb, 750+ is good enough and privates don't really consider more than 3 (though more would look better, it doesn't really matter)</p>
<p>What did you get in Chem and what would you get in USH?</p>
<p>Having more SAT II's which are 750+ is always better.</p>
<p>If your parents are <em>making</em> you do one or the other, I would definitely vote for the US History...retaking a 750+ score will only look obnoxious to colleges.</p>
<p>You should look at the common data set of the previous year of the college you're interested in and see the previous admitted student statistics regarding SAT II that should save you having to retake some tests. I was surprised to read that SAT II subject tests are important in the A for Admission book. All along, I thought it was the AP tests.</p>
<p>yes, just take 3.</p>
<p>You're fine with 4! More is overkill. The most any college requires is 3, and with your great scores you don't need to take any more. Tell your parents to relax.</p>
<p>I have never heard of anybody taking 5 subject tests; it is a waste of your time.</p>
<p>There are many many people who actually take 5 or more subject tests, you just don't need to.</p>
<p>Sure colleges only require 3, but does that mean that more wouldn't display a wider mastery of multiple subjects?</p>
<p>Most colleges don't require 3; they only look at 3. Very few colleges actually require 3.</p>
<p>spend your time elsewhere</p>
<p>Anything 750+ shouldn't be retaken--it's a waste of your time; you've already done very well on them.</p>
<p>If you really like US History, go for it; if it's just to improve your chances with colleges, don't bother. Even four already is more than sufficient.</p>
<p>Use the summer to study other things (maybe a summer course?) or do research, if you really want to learn stuff.</p>
<p>I agree with everyone else. Anything 750+ is competitive, and you definitely don't need to take more. Colleges only look at 2 or 3, taking more won't show a wider "mastery of skills" or anything.</p>
<p>I don't understand how these illogical beliefs have sprang up.</p>
<p>So what ekirth and Collegekid12 are saying is that 3 750s (let's say Chem, Physics, Math 2C) is the same as 7 800's (in a wide variety of subjects, including Lit and Spanish let's say).</p>
<p>If you were trying to pick the most well qualified students for a college, why the hell would you consider the first with 3 750's the exact same as the one with 7x 800's. I know it's not a huge difference, but to say that it doesn't matter at all is simply illogical.</p>
<p>And if a person knew that he or she could get an 800 by retaking a 750 without studying at all, I think 1 hour is worth raising your SAT II by 50 points.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you were trying to pick the most well qualified students for a college, why the hell would you consider the first with 3 750's the exact same as the one with 7x 800's.
[/quote]
Because a difference of a few questions doesn't really mean much, and because each test is just a one-hour test. It's really not worth that much, it's just a small aspect of the college application that ensures the applicant is up to par. I seriously doubt SAT IIs would be a make-or-break kind of thing.</p>
<p>tell you parents to read these "only 3 SatII's matter" responses and you'll be fine...</p>
<p>7 800s doesn't tell a college that you are the most qualified at all. It tells them that you are a good standardized test taker and that your priorities are mixed up if you are devoting that much time to these tests. Most colleges would rather not see applicants who are obsessed with perfecting their standardized test scores.</p>
<p>Dude, Subject tests have nothing to do with standardized testing, like
MAth 2, if you are the greatest test taker in the world but you don't know the material, then you won't get an 800. If you are a terrible test taker yet you memorize all the equations and know MAth like your life, then you can get an 800 without being a good test taker. It has nothing to do with test-taking.</p>