<p>A parent of a junior here.
The kid will be applying to top schools.
So far : SAT Math II - 800, SAT APUSH 800, SAT 2330 (730, 800, 800), ACT 36.
Would it be in the best interest of the kid to take more SAT subject tests?
I know that some schools require more than two, but not many.
Does it look better if you have more than two? Does it really matter?</p>
<p>Most schools and programs are happy with two SATII scores. Some programs (especially engineering) want math + science SATIIs. some schools want one test in math-or-science and a second test in a humanities subject. A very few schools and programs (e.g., Northwestern ISP) want more than two tests. Some want only one. And some are test-optional.</p>
<p>You need to check with the specific schools/programs that you’re interested in to find out their requirements. Usually their admissions web pages clearly spell out whether they are open to considering additional test scores. If not, the student can email the regional admissions rep to inquire.</p>
<p>Wow. Impressive. If it were me, I’d declare him done with standardized testing, unless he loves spending Saturdays taking tests. I think schools will get that your kid is very, very good at whatever it is standardized scores measure.</p>
<p>He would rather be making movies…but testing comes fairly easy to him and since he will be taking several AP test this May, he might as well…if needed…</p>
<p>Some schools require a math and science sat II for application.</p>
<p>Georgetown and JHU like to see three. Everyone else is fine with two.</p>
<p>I’d suggest one science SATII in whatever AP science he is taking this year. Good luck!</p>
<p>It’s time to check the test requirements of the schools the student is planning to apply to (or might apply to – at this point, there’s no need to narrow down the list). There’s a good chance that no more SAT Subject Tests will be needed, but people have mentioned most of the possible exceptions, and one or more of them might apply to your kid.</p>
<p>Several programs at Carnegie Mellon want to see Physics or Chemistry - a couple will take Biology if you don’t have Physics or Chem. [Admission</a> > Academic Requirements](<a href=“Home - Computing Services - Office of the CIO - Carnegie Mellon University”>Home - Computing Services - Office of the CIO - Carnegie Mellon University)</p>
<p>In your shoes I’d have the student take Physics or Chem, he obviously tests well. It won’t take a of extra studying or time.</p>
<p>kelowna, MIT requires a science test as well.
check this out: [Tests</a> & Scores | MIT Admissions](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/apply/freshman/tests]Tests”>Tests & scores | MIT Admissions)</p>
<p>On the other hand, a lot of schools and programs do not require a science Subject Test. If your kid doesn’t need one for any of the programs he/she is applying to, there’s no need to take one.</p>
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<p>Funny…the ONE school my kid needed SAT II tests for…required one of the English tests.</p>
<p>These are the combinations I’ve seen
- SAT or ACT - using ACT - Done and maximized.
- SAT I + 2 subject tests or ACT - using ACT - Done and maximized
- SAT or ACT plus 2 subject tests - ACT + 2 subject tests - Done and maximized
- Georgetown and JHU recommends 3 subject tests - need one more
- Engineering applicants are often required to take either the Physics or Chemistry subject test
- Some Canadian schools require 3 subject tests, but AP tests can be used instead. Watch out though, I know McGill requires you to take the credit if you submit an AP score and you can’t repeat the course even if you want to.
- Northestern ISP wanted Math II, Physics and Chemistry. I believe an AP score would substitute for an SAT II. </p>
<p>Basically if your son is taking either AP Physics or Chemistry, then taking the corresponding SAT II in May would satisfy any conceivable combination except Northwestern ISP. </p>
<p>Otherwise… Done and maximized. Nothing left to prove.</p>
<p>It was suggested to my D, who is a student at a math/science magnet, that she have either an AP or SAT II in a humanities to show that she was well prepared for a liberal arts education at a top school.</p>
<p>Given the relatively weaker SAT I CR score, an English AP or SAT Subject exam might make sense IFF he can get a very high score.</p>
<p>I also recommend taking one or more science SATIIs in whatever subject(s) your D is taking this year, even if not AP science class(es). A strong student like yours can do very well on these tests with almost no extra prep if taken at the end of the year when already studying for finals. They don’t require AP level knowledge. It won’t be as easy in the fall when she’ll have been away from the material for several months yet will only be halfway through the material of her senior year science subject.</p>
<p>I also recommend taking the English SATII at the same time, especially if your D is taking an AP English class. It won’t be wasting a Saturday, since she’ll be there already for the science test, and it’s generally not as hard to get a high score on it as on the SAT CR. Consider taking a third if there is another subject that she feels is easy.</p>
<p>Unless your D knows exactly to which schools she’ll apply, it’ll be a lot less stressful to just have them done this year. Many top schools do require some SATIIs, and requirements can change from year to year. It can be surprising which schools require which tests. For example, Carnegie Mellon requires SATII chemistry or physics for applications to the architecture program even though that program is within the College of Fine Arts. Taking these tests this spring will ensure that she’ll have covered the test requirements for just about any top school/program.</p>
<p>She’s already in a great situation with her current scores. Top schools won’t penalize her for lower scores on “extra” tests. They generally say they’ll use the scores that most benefit the applicant, and that was my D’s experience.</p>
<p>I would play it safe and take a science SATII eith Bio or Chem. Check the schools and the programs he is interested in applying to just to be sure. I know that it can vary within specific schools at the same university.</p>
<p>Thank you all!</p>
<p>@ ClassicRockerDad - I need a tutoring session from you 
You seem to have it all figured out ! How does sending SAT scores to schools that do not allow for score choice but want to see them all works? Do we need to send SAT reasoning just becasue we are sending SAT subject?
I have heard the same thing but thought SAT USH was considered a humanities SAT. Is it?
As for the AP test showing well rounded individual, right now the kid has: AP Calc BC (5), Physics B (5), AP Stats (5), APUSH (5), Music Theory (5), AP Biology (5). This May will write: AP Euro, AP English, AP Economy Micro and Macro, AP Chem. Will have 11 AP classes at the end of junior year with projected 4 more AP exams the senior year.</p>
<p>@ DONIVRIAN - thanks! He will definitely apply to MIT! I guess I will give him practice Chem and Physics test and just see which one he does better at.</p>
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He got 35 on ACT English.</p>
<p>I guess I don’t want to overdo it. Thrilled with ACT score, OK with SAT score - both taken only once. The schools the kid will be applying to are still a great mystery to all of us…</p>
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<p>It all depends on the policy of the individual school. For instance, neither S or Y permit Score Choice, but have different policies about reporting SAT/Subject tests:</p>
<p>[Testing</a> : Stanford University](<a href=“http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/application/freshman/testing.html]Testing”>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/application/freshman/testing.html)</p>
<p>[Frequently</a> Asked Questions - Standardized Testing | Yale College Admissions](<a href=“http://admissions.yale.edu/faq/standardized-testing]Frequently”>http://admissions.yale.edu/faq/standardized-testing)</p>
<p>For this kid just send everything. When you order a report from the College Board, the default is everything. </p>
<p>Yes, for MIT, you need Chemistry or Physics, so I guess he has one more to do. Might as well take both. They will take whichever is better. He’s probably more prepared for Chem in May, but the Physics has a better curve - you can get more wrong and still get an 800. Maybe take Chem in May and if not an 800, take Physics in June so he has a few weeks to study. </p>
<p>For MIT, they say they treat 750+ as the same as 800, so that June exam might not be necessary. </p>
<p>We waited until all scores were in before we sent any scores. Then we just sent all of them at once. For D1, we didn’t do score choice, just sent them all and let the colleges figure it out. I don’t think that you have to hide any scores.</p>
<p>Humanities is usually English, Languages and Arts.
Social Science is history, government, economics.
Science is what you’d expect.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t take both Chem and Physics I’d just take one - whichever course he’s taking at the time or whichever one he does better on if he takes the practice test.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t overthink what scores to send - just send them all. That 730 CR score is fine - especially coupled with a 36 ACT. I don’t think there’s any need to take the Lit subject test.</p>