<p>Our state university requires two SAT subject tests, but word is going around that very competitive universities like to see more. Now my son is planning to take five. Is that too many? He has very high SAT and 800 on the first subject. Would it help with top-20 admissions to have more? Thanks.</p>
<p>I believe Georgetown is the sole remaining university that requires three Subject Tests as part of its admissions criteria. Many selective universities claim to only evaluate the highest two (if more are taken); others affirm that they consider all scores as part of the admissions process and look favorably upon strong performance on additional tests. But unfortunately, there is really no generalized answer to the question.</p>
<p>My daughter took 5, but she had a very non-traditional transcript and also applied to college at 16, so she though the extra validation might serve some purpose.</p>
<p>In your son’s case, I think it’s certainly more than is necessary… and is probably not helpful except in odd cases like my daughter’s. Unless he just loves taking those tests! I suppose one advantage is that most colleges say they’ll consider the highest scores, so maybe if he takes 5 they’ll cherry-pick the top two. ;)</p>
<p>You only need two (except Georgetown) Some schools want to see every test you take (Columbia). If he feels is is prepared, he should go ahead and take all five. He only needs to send in his top two.</p>
<p>Two is all that is required (except Georgetown which requires three) for schools that require IIs. Most of those will use highest two if you submit more than 2 (and thus if you already have two very high SAT II scores, no point in taking more for most colleges that require IIs; the UCs are included in that group). Harvard and Princeton will consider all scores submitted even though they require only two. Northwestern and Johns Hopkins recommend three but require none; Stanford also does not require IIs but recommends two and will consider any submitted (even if it is less than two)</p>
<p>Georgetown no longer requires three; they do strongly recommend sending three, though.</p>
<p>^Yep. Unless you do EA. Though if you’re deferred, you’ll still have to take them.</p>
<p>Thanks to all for your responses. I appreciate the sharing of information on CC.</p>
<p>D has also taken 5, but only because she was/is unsure about her major. Some departments require certain types of exams (e.g., for engineers, they often ask for Math2 and Chemistry/Physics whereas other departments want to see math1 or 2 and one humanities, etc.). Since she wanted to keep her options open, she took one from each category.</p>