Today I took 2 sat subject tests (math2 physics) and I noticed a dramatic increase in difficulty (math 2 more so). On math 2 practice tests (previously administered by college board) I scored 800’s every single time. However, today I felt the test was much more difficult. Could it just be a more difficult test with a more generous curve, or is college board trying to make the test more difficult because it is dissatisfied with how many students score 800’s.
As far as physics goes, it was marginally more difficult than the practice tests I had taken.
Anyone else experiencing an increase in difficulty?
I feel that way too. I got an 800 with 10 min to spare on an official math II last night, but today I had to leave 4 blank since I ran out of time 
@neoking Phew, It is nice to hear someone else experienced an increase in difficulty! Yeah, my prediction is that college board was just sick of so many people getting 800’s (i think 800 was something like 80th percentile last year, probably due to the select group of people taking subject tests). I just hope my scores turn out solid, I was shooting for an 800 on math 2, and I was very confident I could get it, but my preference didn’t feel like an 800 performance.
good luck to you as well.
Hmmm. That’s interesting. I used the Barron’s prep book (scoring 750-760 on the practice tests) and thought the actual test was MUCH easier than the Barron’s.
with so many prep options for students, it probably was too easy to get high scores, and on standardized tests most people should not be getting high scores
@martial1 generally, the vibe I get is that Barron’s produces tests that are harder then the real thing. I practiced with previously administered tests.
@ManaManaWegi Normally I am a huge advocate of practicing with real tests only. But there is no QAS (Question and Answer Service) for the Subject Tests, and the College Board has only released 2 real SAT Subject Tests in Math 2 (1 which is out of print), both of which are both significantly easier than the current version.
This is why I recommend the Barron’s book: yes, it’s harder than the real thing, but the real test is also harder than the test(s) in the Official Guide to the SAT Subject Tests. The Princeton Review book is also helpful for facts and formulas, etc., but the tests are on the easier side.
Either way, 1 or 2 practice tests is far from sufficient for a full preparation. The Barron’s book has 7 additional tests and the Princeton book has 2.
@ivysource Thanks for the advice. If I decide to take them again in September, I will use barrons.
Sometimes they make it harder but gives a 8- to 10-question curve, sometimes its easier but only a 5-question curve. It normal. I took Math and BIO/M on May 7, the math was insanely easy but the bio really got me
@ben576569 Well let’s hope for my sake that the curve was more generous 