<p>[UGH sorry I posted this in the SAT section instead of the SAT Subject Tests.]</p>
<p>Hi, I'm a high school junior and I'm trying to figure out what SAT Subject Tests I should take. I've already taken Bio and Lit. I am also planning to take Math II.</p>
<p>I am pretty confident in getting good scores for Bio and Math II. However, my Lit scores are not going to be that great even if I retake it. I'm just not that good at it. So I'm thinking about taking Chemistry. I've taken college Chemistry, and although it would take some time to study for, I would put in the work. But if I took the Chem Subject Test, I would have two science tests, Chem and Bio.</p>
<p>First question:
Would colleges think I'm not well-rounded? (Note: I'm not applying to strictly tech schools such as MIT, CalTech, etc. I am applying to schools with more broad majors, such as UCLA, Occidental, Brown, etc.)</p>
<p>Second question:
If it is important for me to be well-rounded, I might self-study the World History Subject Test. What would be the best prep book for me? I don't want a lot of superfluous info (Barron's) but it needs to be in-depth enough for me to understand it.</p>
<p>I know that's a lot of info...but thanks for reading! I really appreciate any help.</p>
<p>If you have an expressed interest in science or better yet are applying into a science major specifically then it probably won’t be much of a concern. Unless you are very good at history, I do not recommend self studying the World History Subject Test. I was in the top of my AP World History class last year in which around 75% of the class got 5’s and I thought it was extremely hard.</p>
<p>I essentially self-studied the world history SAT 2-I was in Euro at the time (not AP), so IDK if it really counts as self-study, but I found it exceedingly easy and got a 790.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m honestly gifted at history, not to brag. I spent my childhood years reading about european/medieval history because it fascinated me, so I’ve always been at an advantage in history classes. I didn’t study very much. I picked up a few old SAT 2 review books from my school’s library for free, read a bit, and did a few practice tests. Not too much work honestly. I think that I would have scored 700ish without any prep, considering that I put very little in, and that history is my one academic skill.
My experience probably isn’t comparable to many peoples’ then I guess, you sound more like a science/math guy, which is where my weak spots are lol.</p>
<p>I think the question of “well-rounded” SAT IIs is important but overlooked. I, for instance, am concerned that colleges will not like it if I take only subject tests in English, French, and Spanish. I am planning on majoring in Linguistics/Cognitive Science, so will it matter that the tests are in the same type of area (awkward wording, I know, whatever)? I hope to get 720-750, 770-800, and 760-800 respectively, so…does it matter?</p>
<p>@IthacaKid: Cool! Actually, I’m not very good at math. Although I have become good at/interested in science over the last couple of years, I have always been naturally better at English. But the Literature Subject Test is a whole other things for me, haha.</p>
<p>Most students (including me) have an easier time with english than science. If you put on your college apps you want to go into biology it will help to back it up by showing you are good at chemistry and biology.</p>