<p>What are the easiest SAT II's. I heard History, Match IIC, what could be the third.<br>
Mbe</p>
<p>You heard History??? I recall hearing that History was super-difficult because it covered tons of material. My son heard the same thing. Though he's a realy history buff, he skipped it for that reason.</p>
<p>His highest SAT II score was on Literature. </p>
<p>I've also heard that although Math IIC isn't too hard, it has a very challenging curve. For that reason, many would recommend IC as being easier to achieve a good score.</p>
<p>momsdream:</p>
<p>I think you have the math reversed...Math 2 is covers more difficult material (thru pre-calc/trig), but has a much more generous curve. So, kids strong in math should take it, instead.</p>
<p>The confusion on the maths is with respect to the curve v. the percentile. With IIC (which covers more advanced material) you can miss a lot more questions and still get a higher numerical score than on Math IC. However, the percentile ranking is tough with IIC. I posted the percentiles on another thread, but a 740 on IIC is a fairly low percentile, but on IC it is 95 percentile.</p>
<p>The percentiles on the SAT II I really DON'T understand. An 800 on some of the language exams equates to 80%ile. This is undoubtedly due to pre-selection bias...the best students take the tests so there must be larger numbers with equivalent high scores. I suspect this is indeed the case with the Math IIC. The strongest math students take it, so %ile are lower for the same score. But, am I right that the colleges consider the score and not the %ile as it reflects mastery of coursework? E.g., the heralded AI calculation uses absolute scores.</p>
<p>mowc:</p>
<p>the good new is that adcoms don't care about the percentiles....the score is what matters (bcos that is what is published by the raters). Heck, a 800 on Math II is only the 90th percentile, i.e., 10% of kids obtain that score. On physics, a 740 = ~85th percentile.</p>
<p>Bluebayou-</p>
<p>You are right. I meant to say that Math IC was an easier test with a harder curve. Thank s for picking that up and correcting it. I wouldn't want to confuse anyone over SATIIs. They're confusing enough already.</p>
<p>bluebayou:</p>
<p>you're right but you have to remember that students who take the IIC are more self-selective, those weaker in math choose to either take the IC or not take a math SATII at all.</p>
<p>Quiltguru - the languages are screwy because some of the tests are taken by predominantly native speakers, while others are taken predominantly by students with 3-5 years of instruction.
80%tile = 20% of students made 800 = at least 20% native speakers, probably 80-90% native speakers or first or second generation going to Chinese school on Sats, for example.</p>
<p>Compare the results of, say, French and Korean, to look at 2 extremes, the French percentiles will be similar to those of any other "learned" subject, like history or chemistry.</p>
<p>sixsixty:</p>
<p>yes, it is a bit of apples and oranges, that's why I suggest that kids who are strong in math take 2. OTOH, any student applying to most highly selective colleges is gonna need pre-calc...so, Math 2 is a good choice, imo. You can miss 6-8 problems and still receive an 800. Miss 20 and receive a 650. In contrast, Math 1 goes straight down with every missed bubble.</p>
<p>fwiw: UC, CB's biggest customer, will no longer accept Math 1, so it'll be interesting to watch the trend in that test over the next few years; moreover, Math 2 is now an optional test, so only math-strong kids will likley take it.</p>
<p>I got a 800 on the US History, and I didnt study at all. It was pretty easy.</p>
<p>Hm if they (Berkeley) do start accepting only IIC, it really is gonna become the People's Republic of Berkeley.</p>
<p>ss:</p>
<p>the previous req was SAT I + three SATII's, of which an applicant had to take Writing I, and a Math (Ic of IIc), and a third SATII of choice. The new requirement is new SAT (which includes writing), and two SAT Subject Tests (erstwhile SAT II's), of the student's choice, as long as the Subject Tests are in different disciplines, i.e., can't take two histories or two sciences. Thus, Math is no longer required. But, if math is submitted as one of the two Subject tests, it must be Math 2 (erstwhile IIc). Math I cannot be submitted.</p>
<p>the ones you are good at</p>
<p>There's no real answer to your q because it depends on you. For my son they were all easy, even Lit which he didn't even know he was going to take til he opened the test book (another test he was planning to take wasn't available that day) and he got 740. If you're a math geek, either the Ic or IIc is a breeze; if not you may struggle but the "curve" is more generous in IIc than in Ic.</p>
<p>I think I agree w. everyone...Lit is probably the best choice....but if ur planning to go into premed(like me)...do colleges care about ur lit score...or do they completely disregard it?</p>
<p>I read this on a newspaper, a hs student practice on a few tests and decide to take the test on the subject she scores highest. This may be an approach. Take a few sample tests and different subjects, whichever one that youscore the highest is the one you should take.</p>
<p>It might be convenient to take SAT IIs in AP subects if you took any AP classes this year. Many of the kids in AP US history took the SAT II and did pretty well. Similar thing in AP chemistry and biology classes. Otherwise, just choose subjects you're good at, although I would personally avoid the languages.</p>
<p>I found Literature and U.S. history to be the easiest ones.</p>