Getting Rid of Math Level 1 Subject Test?

Test Preparation
1

<p>Recently, one of my students (10th grade) approached me asking for help with the SAT Subject Test Math Level 2. </p>

<p>After inquiring as to why she wanted to take it so early, especially since she hasn't taken the Level 1, she told me that her college counselor said that the college board will be "getting rid of the Level 1 within the next year or two, and colleges will not be counting the test by the time she graduates." Supposedly, the Level 1 content is "too much like the SAT math section, and colleges will just look at that."</p>

<p>Now obviously, I've heard nothing about this through the College Board nor from colleagues, and I told her it would still do her well to take the Level 1, because for now this is just a rumor, but she went back to her counselor, and he was standing strong in his position.</p>

<p>She seems very influenced by her counselor and is adamant about taking the test. Has anyone else heard anything about this? I want her to make the best decision possible.</p>

2

<p>If anyone has any input on this, I’d greatly appreciate it…</p>

3

<p>I haven’t heard anything about getting rid of Math I.</p>

<p>Has she taken precalc yet? If she has, she’ll probably do better on Math II anyway. Most colleges prefer Math II.</p>

4

<p>From what my teachers have told me in class I always thought that taking the Math 1 test was completely redundant. Mainly because it is the same thing as the SAT math section.</p>

5

<p>I’m pretty sure it’s offered so that you don’t need to take the extraneous other 2 “sections” along with it.</p>

<p>In technicality, I think that people take Math I to boost their Math scores from the regular SAT.</p>

<p>My opinion would be that they don’t remove it, since there’s no other way to take that level of a math test ? (I’m not certain, of course)</p>

6

<p>i recommend her to wait another year and take the math II. math II has a much better curve and also colleges weigh it more heavy than I</p>

7

<p>The content and style of the math level 1 subject test is different from the regular SAT; arguably, the L1 test is more similar to the ACT than to the regular SAT. For example, the L1 test has trigonometry, more advanced function content, complex numbers, no grid-in questions, solids such as cones, etc. The L1 style focuses more on acquired knowledge than, as on the SAT, problems requiring less advanced math but also an insightful step or two to get. Not that there isn’t overlap, but these tests are not redundant, IMO; some evidence suggests that the L1 scores + grades are better indicators of college success than SAT + grades.</p>