How important is a third "optional" SAT II Subject test?

Test Preparation SAT Subject Test Preparation
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I am wondering how important a third "optional" SAT II Subject test is
if I wanna apply as an international student to schools like MIT, Stanford, Caltech, UCB
for mechanical engineering?</p>

<p>I am pretty sure that all the schools only ask for two subject tests - Math II and a science
for engineering. </p>

<p>I do not really know what else I could take instead of my native language - German.</p>

<p>If it would be necessary to make me more competitive what would
one of easiest subject tests? (except physics and math II)</p>

<p>I went to school in Germany, so I am almost sure that I have no concrete knowledge of any other SAT II.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>Some schools (e.g., Georgetown) require a 3rd SAT II, so if there is any chance you’ll be applying to a school that requires 3 then you might as well take a 3rd one. Which 2 are you planning on taking? The Math 2 SAT II seems pretty easy (my daughter did very well on it with just 1 hour of preparing for it the night before.)</p>

3

<p>I wouldn’t stress about a third test unless you think not having one would seriously hurt your chances of getting in (probably not likely). Remember, it’s better to have two QUALITY tests than three “lesser” ones :)</p>

4

<p>I think very school require a third SAT II test.</p>

5

<p>You can easily get it with just 2 SAT IIs, but a strong majority of the qualified applicants to top colleges have multiple SAT IIs. If you can pull off 3-5 750+s, it’s pretty good. </p>

<p>I think I saw someone on an accepted thread boasting 5 800s and success at Princeton and I think UPenn. Obviously she/he had many other great factors, but it helps.</p>

6

<p>I was just wondering if you can send colleges more than two SAT II’s if they state on their websites that they only request 2?</p>

7

<p>

</p>

<p>Lol. Yeah, send extra scores in.</p>

8

<p>Colleges only want “one MORE” than what they say is required. </p>

<p>If they require two letters of recommendation, then the third one is the only additional one they want. Same thing with scores. If you send in additional things, they better be very strong. </p>

<p>To an earlier poster:
Also, Math2 is the more rigorous SAT II (as opposed to Math 1). So maybe your daughter is keen at math.</p>

9

<p>I say it couldn’t hut to take it. In fact I would go far enough to say that you should actually take the test</p>

10

<p>

</p>

<p>Yes, but approximately 10% of students taking the Math Level 2 test score an 800, whereas less than 1% of students taking the Math Level 1 do so. Thus, while Level 2 tests more difficult concepts, the curve is much more lenient, and so has a significantly higher average score than does Level 1.</p>

11

<p>Its more lenient because it’s “harder” math</p>

12

<p>@with<em>one</em>voice Okay but you also have to look at the people who take the test. The “smarter” people are more likely to take II than I so that leaves the “stupid” people taking I. Since there are more “stupid” people in this world that’s why the curve is weird.</p>

13

<p>Depends on the school. Some schools merely “require” two tests (rarely, three) but don’t say anything about more; however, Dartmouth for example states that “If you submit more than 2 Subject Test scores, we will look at your two best scores. We encourage applicants to take the tests from the subjects they like the best or feel they will perform best in.” I think Duke says something similar. So at those schools, if you have two scores you like, you’re good: more won’t help. Check your schools’ requirements.</p>