Do top-tier colleges care about which SAT II Test you take?

Applying to College
1

<p>For example, if you were to apply to Wharton, would taking the Chemistry subject test be detrimental to your chances (As compared to French or Literature)? </p>

2

<p>Most top schools require the Math 2 test. They may take Math 1, but often say prefer 2. MIT wants Math and one science. The colleges websites are pretty clear on this; just check the sites for test requirements.</p>

3

<p>Many schools don’t care what subjects you take. However, if you take the Math subject test, the colleges strongly prefer you take the Math 2 test.
I would look at each individual program/school you’ll be applying to and double check. For example, MIT requires 1 math and 1 science test but Harvard just requires 2 tests of any kind.</p>

4

<p>Although colleges prefer math 2, if you didn’t take Pre Calc for some reason (like me) don’t feel bad about taking Math 1. I did and it worked out fine.</p>

5

<p>As others have noted, some colleges like MIT specifically request students take specific SAT Subject tests (see: <a href=“Tests & scores | MIT Admissions”>http://mitadmissions.org/apply/freshman/tests&lt;/a&gt;), while others leave it up to the student. </p>

<p>FWIW: The Ivy League schools are numbers driven. When they calculate the Academic Index (<a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/academic_index.htm”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/academic_index.htm&lt;/a&gt;) they take your best 2 scores without regards to where those scores place you percentile wise (<a href=“http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/research/SAT-Subject-Tests-Percentile-Ranks-2012.pdf”>http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/research/SAT-Subject-Tests-Percentile-Ranks-2012.pdf&lt;/a&gt;). For example, if you submit the SAT Subject Test of 770 in Chemistry, Admissions doesn’t care that the percentile score is an 80%, as compared to a 770 in Biology-E, which is 93%.</p>

6

<p>I think there are two basic rules that should be followed, but there are always exceptions, so check on the individual school. </p>

<ol>
<li>Take the tests in two different areas, e.g. don’t take two science tests or two history tests. Some schools may accept it, but having two different areas looks better. </li>
<li>Don’t take a foreign language test in your native language. That’s like a fourth generation American taking the TOEFL and expecting to get credit for it.</li>
</ol>

7

<p>

Although perfectly acceptable to do if it’s an extra test, especially if the language does not have an AP test option. It helps for placement purposes/placing out once you’re in college.</p>

8

<p>Misstated that. Yes, it can be a third test, but I wouldn’t make it one of only two tests you take.</p>