@ucbalumnus All good points, but…
- After listening to several test prep companies (local and national) and various speakers that have come to my D's campus over the last couple years, a large diverse multi-cultural public HS in Silicon Valley, nearly every student that applies to universities with "recommended" for subject tests, chooses to take the subjects tests.
- If you're not submitting subject tests to the top UC's, no matter your major, then you'll be at a competitive admissions disadvantage.
- IMO, you prep for any subject test, no matter the HS course. I would never have my D go into a subject test without prepping for the test to make sure all material has been reviewed to be sure the HS course has covered it. Your anecdotal example wouldn't sway me or my D. Hard for me to imagine the HS course covering 100% of the subject test material. But if they did, I'd still prep for insurance.