So, I just realized that the last date to take the SAT is beginning of Oct before application. Maybe Nov(?) too depending on how long they take to grade the SATs. (The May SATs scores are available today, so maybe they’re speeding things up.)
The thing is, I’m not happy with either my SAT score or my subject tests scores.
My new SAT score is 1380, which is the equivalent of 2020. This isn’t awful I realize, but I would have had a much higher score if I had actually studied the math. I want to get to the equivalent of about 2200.
I retook the test this June and am waiting for the scores. I have a feeling I did a little better on the math, but because I didn’t have much time to study, the score probably won’t go up much.
My subjects are 690 in us history (which I thought I rocked!) and 650 literature (which will look reaaaalllly bad since my focus is English). I wouldn’t even think of sending these scores in to a college.
It’s just difficult with these tests because there is no way to study or know what to expect from the test before taking it. Even with us history, which I took the day after the apush exam, I felt solid, but received an extremely low score. How do people get perfect 800s???
Obviously, my other option is ACT, but I’m not familiar with the format at all.
I honestly have no idea what to do. The plan was to take the SAT my last time in Oct, but now I have the subject tests to worry about. Please give me some advice!
there are a lot of real practice sat’s available online and in books. The Sat will be much more important at almost all schools. There is a long time between now and OCT, plenty of time to study the material. http://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-sat-score-by-a-2400-sat-scorer
consider looking here, this guide is good for anyone trying to improve a score that is already well above average.
Not vouching for the company or anything, I never used their program, but from studying (over a 70 hours probably, though not much more)using some of the strategies in their ACT 36 guide, I improved from a 26 (first practice test in red book) to a 34(april ACT). Most of this improvement came after just one test however. Now I am competitive for any school in the country. (with a 4 gpa)
As long as you prep correctly, scores can be improved. Really the act and sat are just tests of how much you prepped for them. Of course their will be the kids who walk in without prep and score great, but the majority of kids who score 99th percentile (I would guess) prepped, and some rigorously.
@ManaManaWegi wow, that’s incredible improvement on the ACT! I think the ACT might be my best bet, since they even have a test date in sept, so I’d be able to take it twice before applications. May I ask some tips on how to study? Did you purchase a book or did you use an online program?
It sounds (based on the charts below) that your SAT score and your subject test score align with each other, even if neither is as high as you would have wanted.
Whether or not a particular score level is “good enough” depends on:
A) What colleges you are applying to
B) Whether or not the scores are better or worse than the rest of the application folder (your transcripts, essays, recommendations, and activity list).
These scores are nothing to be ashamed of for any number of fine schools, depending on what the rest of your application portfolio looks like.
@AroundHere huh, that’s really strange considering I was in the 97th percentile for my SAT but both in the 50th percentile for my subjects.
My dream school is Stanford, but obviously that’s a dream because it has 4.7% acceptance rate. Nonetheless, I want to do whatever I can to better my chance of being accepted there. The reason why I want to get above 2200 is to raise my grade above the average score there.
As for other colleges, I’m considering most of the UC’s, Hamilton College, Northwestern University, Columbia (another dream), and a few more.
I’m not too worried about the rest of my portfolio because I’ve found my niche in writing and journalism, and I have a 4.0 and 4 aps so far as a rising senior (my school doesn’t offer too many or I would have taken more).
But, I’m reallllllly worried about these test scores. I’m now viewing the ACT as my best choice.
Speaking as a 2400 SAT, 36 ACT, 800 SAT US History student (all in 1st tries), I suggest you look at your June SAT score. If it’s good enough, congratulations. If not, make the tough decision:
Study for and take the ACT. It may be a different format, but I did zero studying for the ACT and got a perfect score, and to me it's much easier than the SAT. This way, you can also take the subject tests in October. For US History, the big thing you must understand is that this is much different than the AP exam. The AP exam tests your knowledge of historical trends, movements, big ideas. The subject test is very specific, and contains a lot of trick questions that require you to REALLY KNOW YOUR STUFF. This means you have to sit down and seriously study for it. Fair warning, the Barrons prep book's practice tests are insanely hard, like 5x as hard as actual, and crack sat online practice tests are about like 3x as hard.
Continue to study for the SAT. You may be able to take the subject tests in November...? This way, you have the rest of the summer to improve your SAT score, and you'll be able to raise it significantly come October.
Personally, I would go with option 1. Explore the ACT, take a practice test or two. You might actually prefer it over the SAT! Overall, do what you must, but don’t stress out about standardized testing. Focus on the more important things, like your EC’s, painting your passion in your essay, getting strong rec letters, and spending your summer productively.
If you read the article, it explains why you cannot use percentiles to understand your subject test scores.
The pool of students taking the subject test is very different from the pool of students taking the full SAT.
Suppose 100% of college bound kids take the SAT, but only 10% (mostly from higher scoring SAT test takers) take the history test. Scoring in the top 50% on the history test within that top 10% pool is still very respectable.
Read the article again and the bottom part of the appendix post that tweaks the data for the new SAT. Your scores are very respectable. The dots on the chart show that history and literature have lower typical scores than some of the other tests. Your scores are above the “typically expected” score dots (within that more competitive test pool) for both exams.
@AroundHere ah, I see! I didn’t take into consideration the other test takers I would be put up against. Thank you so much. I feel an awful lot better about my scores now. This morning when I rolled out of bed and groggily opened my computer to look at my scores, the 55th percentile woke me up like a shot of caffeine to the heart. Now I understand, though.
@DeeperBlue25 I think I will go with option one, given the possibility that my June SAT may not look too hot either! Taking the ACT will potentially allow me to take it twice or more before applications depending on how it goes the first time. I’ll also look into retaking the some subject tests to see if I can raise my scores. Thank you for your help!!
Also, why did you think the act is easier? I’m curious because I’ve always assumed it to be harder for some reason.
@cameronalexis I bought the Act Red book (real act prep guide) and the ACT black book (had good ratings, good reputation, didn’t end up using it much though, as I stuck to more recent practice tests from 2015/2014) I didn’t use an online prep program, though I did consider it. For a general Idea on how my practicing went, the process was generally as follows.
take official practice test (I ONLY used official tests) ~4hours
2.Review ALL incorrect answers and most correct answers. Ask why why why (very important) did I get that wrong. How can I avoid that mistake. ~at least 4 hours for a full test, probably more (this takes time).
3.repeat
This is VERY general and I generally approached each section a little bit differently. For example, towards the end of my prep, I started taking just the science and reading part of tests (weaker areas) and used steps 1 and 2 for them. After about 3 tests, I was consistently scoring 35 and 36 on math and 32-35 on English (I found English varied the most for me) I probably did around 5 math practice tests, 6 english practice tests, 8 science tests, and 9 reading tests ( do the math on how long that takes, plus consider that you will spend more time reviewing the test than taking it).
I used the guide I linked you to prep efficiently and effectively.
Here was my composite progress over the first 5 full tests (practice tests) for fun facts if you’re interested:
26,30,31,33,33.
Also, a seperate note on the subject tests.
You cannot compare the sat 1 and sat 2 percentiles because of the different groups taking the tests. The group of people that is taking the SAT subject tests is generally much more accomplished and college bound ( often top college bound, since many top schools require or recommend them)
Sorry for typos if they are there, I typed this very quickly.
@ManaManaWegi that is pretty much exactly how I prepped for the SAT: do a practice test, review the answers, repeat.
@cameronalexis I have heard that the red book, as ManaManaWegi mentioned, is very good for preparation. There are ACT 36 books out there if you want to strive towards a perfect score. Generally, I thought the ACT was easier because, compared to the old SAT, the reading comprehension stuff was much easier, not as much nasty vocabulary was present, and the essay was more relatable (asking about topics high school students can relate to). I have heard that students struggle with the more time-intensive nature of the ACT, especially with the math section. The science section can be a struggle as well if you’re not used to analysis. However, these issues can all be solved through practice, and overall the test just felt much more relaxed for me when I took it the summer after sophomore year.
If your June scores aren’t good, prepare for the ACT and take it in September. That’ll leave the October date free for subject tests.
If you’re into journalism, the best undergraduate program is at the University of Missouri. You’d be eligible for merit aid, too.
@deeperblue25 but you probably prepped extensively for the sat (I know you prepped at least a little, but I would assume a lot with your scores in mind) The act and sat test very similar topics.
Take true practice ACTs at home then and see how u do. As mentioned above, time yourself STRICTLY. If u like it, focus further practice on individual sections where you are weak (say science, English) and do them over and over, checking WHY you got each answer wrong, as mentioned in other posts. This is key
Then take the ACT in the fall. More straight forward than spending your summer studying for the subject tests, on classes that you took months ago. Honestly there is a LOT more to your portfolio than these standardized tests. Work on your essay (s), do something this summer other than just studying for tests. UC’s don’t look at Subject tests, unless you are trying to get into specific majors.
