My top schools are UCB, UCLA, UCSD, UCI, and Cal Poly SLO, and I plan to apply for engineering. I’ve heard that schools like to see the math level 2 and physics subject tests for engineering majors. Do these schools require the SAT subject tests? If not, does it still help to take them?
I took the math level 2 test last year and didn’t do that well, so I’ll probably retake that one anyway, but I’m not sure if I should bother with physics. I just want to know if I should spend a lot of time to study for these or focus more on my actual SAT.
As far as I know, none of these schools require the SAT Subject tests, but almost all of them strongly recommend it, especially for engineering.
Most of these schools recommend taking a Maths subject test (preferably Math 2) and a Science Subject test.
The SAT is of course, much more important, but if possible, try preparing for the Subject tests too - it adds positively to your application and it really would help to take them since it shows proficiency in these subjects (to a certain extent, it also helps compensate for lower grades).
If you’re unsure about which subject tests to take or how much you should prepare for them, try taking practice tests first and base your amount of preparation on that. You could either try focussing entirely on SAT and studying for the subject tests later (if you have time) or you could prepare for both simultaneously.
A good score would be in the 700s, preferably above 750.
Some other schools you may be applying to may require SAT Subject tests - check out the individual university website to make sure.
The four UC’s you list all recommend math 2 and a science (physics, chemistry, or biology) if applying for engineering. They are not required but having such tests with high scores can definitely help. At Cal Poly SLO, they are neither required nor recommended and of little to no value unless you are submitting one to meet a required high school course needed for admission – qualifying scores on SAT subject tests can be used to meet certain course requirements for admission to the CSU’s, including the Poly’s, such as in math if you failed to take a required high school course or got a D or F and need to replace the course, but they are not otherwise used to detemine admission.
They’re like Letters of Recommendations, except they’re tests that can help your admittance into a university. Think of letters of recommendation for example. They say that Letters of Recommendation are optional, but we all know that Letters of Recommendation are pretty much mandatory upon ourselves and we will not fail to submit them. Therefore, if it says that something is recommended by the college, then you should take a hint that having it, and making sure it is high quality (High Scores in Subject Tests in this example) will help you in the admissions process.