<p>I've taken 3 SAT IIs, (Biology, Math 2, World History) and scored fairly well. (780, 780, 770)
I know most colleges only require 2, and few request 3.
However, due to the AP classes I'm taking this year, my junior year, I feel I could take the Physics and English at the end of year and do well.
Would there be a benefit to having 5 Subject Tests on my record?</p>
<p>If they were also excellent scores, they might add a little. But you have 3 high scores in the three key areas (Sciences, Mathematics, Humanities). I don’t see much of a point in doing that, especially just to have another science and another humanity. Maybe if you had mastered a language, but still, unless those are required for a particular program, I would advise against unnecessary testing. You have excellent scores.</p>
<p>Only a few colleges require two and I believe there is now only one that asks for three. I think you are fine.</p>
<p>Blueribbon, there are many factors in deciding whether to take more than 3. My son is a homeschooler and I think 3-4 subject tests is a good way to show mastery of curriculum of an unconventional learning environment. If there’s any question of your high school curriculum being not as well regarded, I think taking more SAT IIs is fine. Even if it isn’t, if you think you can do well in them, I don’t see a problem taking them; I think it shows initiative.</p>
<p>Correct, Georgetown University is that one.</p>
<p>Here’s my opinion:
As mentioned, if your school is not that good academically, or if you are home-schooled, you may want to consider taking more to demonstrate your ability. However, in most cases I would recommend NOT taking any more for the following reason: You did not score “fairly well” on these tests. You scored outstanding. 770-780 puts you in the top category even at places like Harvard. What you want to avoid at all costs is taking more SAT-IIs and doing WORSE than the 770s you already have. Additionally, I have some personal experience with the SATII-Physics test, having a BA from Harvard in Physics and having tutored students preparing for taking that test. The questions themselves are not that difficult if you’ve taken classes on them, but then sheer BREADTH of material is substantial. Even if you are taking a typical AP Physics class which prepares you for the AP Physics test, you most likely WILL NOT COVER all the material on the SAT-II Physics. You’ll probably learn, at most, Mechanics and possibly Electricity and Magnetism— but at depth levels the SAT-II doesn’t cover. You won’t learn Quantum Mechanics, Optics, Nuclear Physics, and several other topics. So what will happen is that you’ll get all the Mechanics and EM questions right on the SAT-2 physics test, but miss many others on topics that you have never even been exposed to-- and you’ll do badly. Combine this with the fact that there actually ARE many advanced physics students out there who will ace the test— there are a large number of 800s on the SAT-II Physics— and, unless you are a self-motivator who starts preparing NOW— I would recommend staying away from the SAT-II Physics test. Now, that being said, if you ARE one of those people who already has a broad (but not necessarily deep) physics background, the SAT-II Physics is one of the easiest and most straight-forward SAT-IIs, with a substantial curve (I recall you can miss like 25-30 questions out of 100 and still get an 800.) But, if you just are one of those great students who is just being exposed to physics for the first time through your AP Physics class and not a physics jock, I would stay away from the SAT-II Physics at all costs.</p>
<p>GregB777,</p>
<p>Maybe you have a point. I am not in a position to know what’s typical for high school physics. My son, a junior, took the Physics SAT II exam in 8th grade (as well as the Math II and the Physics B AP exam) and got an 800 but he also audited a general physics class that year at a local private Christian university and they used Giancoli’s text. He didn’t study for the exam so I can only assume that the professor did a great job teaching and using the text. Since physics is one of the two strongest areas for my son, I have a skewed perspective. </p>
<p>He also just took the Literature SAT II and got a 730 and he was very happy with that. Though he loves reading and writing, clearly, it’s not his greatest strength. I still think colleges will like the fact that he can score in the 700s on something besides math and physics. (At least that’s my hope! Ha-ha!)</p>
<p>PS. Physics does seem like such a broad area. My son qualified for the physics olympiad semi-final last year and I assumed he’d qualify this year but I hear he’s sort of on the fence with his score for this year. (qualifiers haven’t been announced yet) My son’s had 5 college physics classes but there’s still so much he doesn’t know!</p>
<p>I know people whose best subjects are reading and writing, yet could barely get a 700 on the literature. 730 demonstrates ability.</p>
<p>The physics exam has a generous curve - the testers assume that nobody will have covered all the topics. Literature is very different from reading/writing. If you have had a strong literature course, you will do well, but otherwise, probably not. To find out, just try a practice test.</p>
<p>Yes, it seems for my son, nothing but good old fashioned time and hard work have improved his literature score. He’s in his second year of an honors literature class. Last year was world lit, this year is American lit, and next year will be British lit. I was thinking my son could take the AP Lit exam this year but his teacher (this is a fantastic homeschool class with a great teacher) said he will be much better prepared after having British lit. He’s learning so much and it’s good to see him work hard.</p>
<p>Greed is Good, I am sure my son is hoping colleges agree with your assessment!</p>
<p>Back to the OP, it sounds like you are a good, strong motivated student. It seems you’ve got some great options to think about.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the great responses!
In regards to Physics, my AP course is purely Mechanics, so I doubt I will take the test. A quick look at the sample questions on collegeboard.com confirms it.</p>
<p>In English, I am still confident, mainly because I got an 800 on the CR portion the last two times I took the SAT.
Are the two tests similar for me to risk a low score, for low gain?</p>
<p>Surely another high score on a Subject Test cannot be harmful to an application? Or are the benefits so little that it’s not even worth the trouble?</p>
<p>
^Yes. You would benefit much more by studying for the SAT and raising that up, then getting a good score. Or by participating more in EC’s or working on your essays or getting good AP scores this year. 3 is good enough. Lit is the hardest and the one that can’t really be studied. The SAT II lit is much harder than SAT CR. (from what I hear). Try some practice questions on collegeboard. But I maintain, thats its not worth the time or money(~$30). I have never seen a college recommend more than 3 SAT II’s. Your smart enough to get 3 750+'s, then your smart enough to know when you’ve reached the limit.</p>
<p>
My experience, in three consecutive months:</p>
<p>October (minimal Lit prep): 720 Lit
November (no CR prep – focused on math prep): 800 CR (up from 740 a year before)
December (moderate Lit prep): 790 Lit</p>
<p>As has been often said, Lit is in some ways a harder version of CR. But I took two college lit classes (American Lit since 1865 & English Lit since 1798) before both times I took Lit, and I still needed a practice book to improve my score. You have to be able to read for straight comprehension and overarching meanings/impressions of both the whole work and certain sections, with author/poet/playwright intent, literary devices, and the flow of works playing large parts. For anyone taking it, I recommend a prep book with a list and brief explanation for every term (I used Princeton Review, which had all used except apostrophe for some reason).</p>
<p>
As I said before, you have very high scores in each of the three major categories (Humanities, Mathematics, Natural Sciences). An extra one would be fairly pointless. Sure, a very high SAT Lit score would be impressive, but you already have the SAT II department down, not to mention all that effort that could potentially be wasted. Take a look at the Lit threads… it seems to me like most people with 750+ scores have retaken it. I feel like if I prepped a larger amount for my first test than I did for my second, I still wouldn’t have gotten a 790. The practice tests helped, but it was different taking the actual one in that environment, teaching me how to best approach it. Some people can ace Lit on their first try, but far fewer than the Histories or Math II. Also, you could score in the same percentile as one of your other tests, but it would be a lower actual score.</p>
<p>I think you’re good as far as subject tests go.</p>
<p>nemom said: “The physics exam has a generous curve - the testers assume that nobody will have covered all the topics.”</p>
<p>While that is true, my experience that that curve is STILL not enough for good students who have taken AP physics, even BC. I tutored one of the best students I have ever worked with for the SAT-II Physics this summer and he still only got a 620. I tutor these tests for part of my living, I’m a professor of physics and have a BA in Physics from Harvard… and I’m telling you, unless you have seriously studied a BROAD SURVEY of physics, it is dangerous to try the Physics SAT-II. </p>
<p>Believe me, or believe nemom. Doesn’t matter to me. Best thing to do if you are thinking of trying the physics test is to go the college board website and work through all the practice problems, then go to their book and take the practice physics test. You will see really quickly whether the test is for you or not. If you decide it is, the best prep I’ve found is SparkNotes, plus additional problems, especially in Optics.</p>