<p>According to Harvard's Web site, the school has joined its fellow Ivies in no longer requiring three Subject Test scores; now only two are required for consideration, though more are considered if an applicant sends them.</p>
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To satisfy our application requirements, applicants must take two SAT Subject Tests. Students should not submit two Subject Tests in mathematics to meet this requirement. Candidates whose first language is not English should ordinarily not use a Subject Test in their first language to meet the two Subject Tests requirement. . Applicants may wish to convey the breadth of their academic interests by taking tests in different subjects. All students are encouraged to submit additional Subject Tests (which may include one in a students first language), Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate test results, or any other evidence of the breadth and depth of their academic accomplishments.
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<p>(Georgetown is now the only school that comes to mind which still requires three Subject Test scores.)</p>
<p>This will make more students eligible for consideration and should, in turn, cause the already-low acceptance rate to drop further.</p>
<p>Actually, this just seems like a reversion to what it was like a few years ago, before the new SAT-with-writing was introduced. 3 subject tests were required, one of which needed to be the writing. So the new conditions are de facto, the same as back in pre-06…</p>
<p>So does this mean that for the applicants to the Class of 2014, a third subject test (with much lower scores than the other 2) will not be used against them as much?</p>
<p>^No, that’s not what I meant. Since Harvard has changed its policy this year, will it have affected applicants to the Class of 2014 (like they don’t take the 3rd as seriously) or will it only really matter for Class of 2015?</p>
<p>Obviously, some consideration will be given to the “third,” (abitrary numbering) required test. The intent to implement this new policy may have had some effect on the admissions officers’ mentalities, though.</p>
<p>Yes, I agree. I, for example, intend to take just Math Level 2 and Chemistry this May and June; but I hope to self-study for U.S. History and Physics and take them in October.</p>
<p>AP tests are more expensive than Subject Tests. Moreover, Subject Tests are more accessible to students who come from high schools with fewer opportunities. They also offer more precise comparisons than the 1-5 scale of AP tests.</p>
<p>Why does that indicate their being a joke? This was one of my points in support of their viability: they are more accessible to students with fewer opportunities otherwise, as demonstrated by your ability to self-study and achieve a good score.</p>