<p>Do you focus on 1) variety of subject areas (e.g., 'hard' science plus social science); 2) likelihood of highest score; or 3) likelihood of highest percentile? S13 is trying to decide whether to take US History or Physics SATII in May (he has already taken bio). I saw on some listing that a 750 in physics is at like the 75th percentile (doing this from memory; don't hold me to the exact number). History is more generous with the percentiles but it seems like the curve is harder--with physics, it seems like you can get as many as 8 wrong and still get an 800. So what are colleges looking at? The score or the percentile? And do they care if you have two sciences? Do they want variety?
Thanks....</p>
<p>Do not consider percentiles when deciding SAT II tests to take. Colleges look for high scores not high percentiles because they know those taking the tests are mostly highly achieving students who have the kind of stats that allow them to apply to the high ranked colleges that require SAT IIs and thus a large percentage are expected to score high in the IIs.</p>
<p>Also, do not look at it as needing to take many IIs. All colleges that require IIs require only two and most of those use highest two if you submit more. Georgetown and Johns Hopkins, which recommend but do not require IIs, recommend three. Thus, regardless of which college you are applying to you never need more than three.</p>
<p>As to which to take, make sure they are in different subject matters. Also, if you are indending to apply for engineering or science, you should take a math and a science because that is required by some colleges, and the math should likely be math 2 because some of those require the math 2. Sometimes other majors also require or recommend IIs needed, such as at some colleges a math is recommended for business applicants. Nevertheless for most liberal arts majors, any two will usually do.</p>
<p>Thank you. This is fabulously helpful. It really helps to take your eyes off the percentiles!
Thanks again.</p>
<p>Unless the college is an Eng/Tech school colleges prefer strength across disciplines. (Think of it this way, a strong lit/history score will help a math/science geek to stand out.) But Engineers/Tech majors should take Math 2 and a physical science (Chem and/or Physics).</p>
<p>Ignore %;s; the colleges do since they know that students self-select the tests that they take.</p>
<p>Higher is always better. For the most selective colleges, one should aim for 750+ on every test. If he really strong in physics (750+), but thinks he can clear 700 on history, I’d take both.</p>
<p>Are all subject test scores automatically sent with regular SAT scores? Can you choose which SAT subject scores to send? For example, can he take both history and physics and since he already has bio, then choose which 2 to send when the scores come in?</p>
<p>When ordering scores sent through College Board, you can exercise score choice and exclude any test for a which a score has already been released, either SAT or SAT II. However, be aware there a number of colleges that require you to send all scores including all SAT II scores (e.g., Yale, Penn, Cornell, Columbia). Also, excercising score choice with College Board may not actually result in concealing the score. You have to check with what your high school does because many put all your scores on your official high school transcript that they send to colleges when you apply for admission.</p>
<p>Take the SAT2 for the AP classes you are taking that you feel confident in. You only need a couple. If you are a STEM kid, take Math2 and your strongest science.</p>
<p>^^agree with glido. Mirror the SAT II to AP exams. </p>
<p>Remember, it only costs $10 more to add a 2nd test. I see no reason to limit - have him take both History and Physics and then utilize score choice.</p>
<p>My D didn’t realize in junior year that she would need SAT IIs and therefore had to squeeze them into October of senior year, when she was extremely busy with other things and had not recently completed any courses. So she picked the two on which she was most optimistic of being able to do well without studying. That was Math 2 and Lit. Worked for her. She scored 790 on Math 2 (woo-hoo) and 760 on Lit.</p>
<p>If I’m a Spanish speaker, should I take it as a subject test? Or is that thought of as “unfair” since it’s my first language? Do you need to know grammar rules, or just how to speak fluently?</p>