I am a rising senior and I have taken multiple subject tests and my scores are terrible! My Math I score is 570 and my Biology E score is 550(My molecular score is lower, so I don’t think I should do that my next try) I will retake subject tests before the end of November. My most recent science class was AP Physics but I did not do well. What can I do to raise these scores to 700’s? Are there certain tricks to know or certain prep books that are helpful? My top colleges require subject tests so I need to do whatever I can to raise them.
Which colleges on your list want subject test?
Are you home schooled or go to an online school? Or in an unaccredited school?
Have you taken the SAT1 or ACT yet? Or the PSAT? What are your scores on those tests if you have taken them?
For the most part, unless you are in certain situations or are looking at a very small handful of schools, the subject tests are not anywhere nearly as important as the
SAT1 or ACT and those are the tests along with your grades where you should be focusing
My SAT1 score was 1220, but I’m going to have a tutor soon so I can expect it to be in the 1400’s hopefully. I’m in public school and most of the colleges on my list are top tier schools that recommend or ask for subject tests. I’m not too worried about my grades since I have straight A’s.
Do you have any safety and match schools? Those are important…you can’t count on getting into those reach schools.
What schools are you talking about when you say top tier?
Which schools ask for SAT2s? Do you have any “hook”, unusual attributes?
@CottonTales Harvard, Rice, Stanford, Brown, UC Berkeley, and similar schools
@cptofthehouse Harvard, Rice, Stanford, Brown, UC Berkeley, and similar schools that I am applying to. I speak 5 foreign languages so I would consider that to be my unusual attribute.
Not to discourage you, but having a “tutor soon” won’t guarantee your SAT1 to increase 200 points. If I were you, I would focus on getting SAT1 up and forget about subject tests and working on a list of schools that don’t require subject tests. You might not have time to do them both.
But if you think you must, try take Math II and a non-stem subject tests?
Tbh, you might get more bang for your buck by focusing on college essays and looking at test-optional colleges.
Good luck.
With SAT II scores in the 500’s, schools are going to look at your GPA as inflated. You can’t just hope your SAT score will improve, you need to make a more realistic list. As it stands now, your chance of getting into any of those schools is virtually nil. Your speaking 5 languages will make for an interesting essay but won’t override test scores. Good luck.
Like the other posters, I don’t want to discourage you, but you need to be realistic: It is very unlikely that you will be able to raise your SAT and SAT Subject Test scores enough to have the scores necessary for the schools that you listed in this thread. If you haven’t done so already, you should being researching colleges that fit your criteria and admit students with test scores similar to the ones you currently have.
Unfortunately, A grades with SAT subject test scores under 700 in the tests related to those high school courses suggest that your high school’s courses are not of very good quality, or are heavily grade-inflated.
The UCs only recommend SAT subject tests in some admissions situations: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/freshman/minimum-requirements/examination-requirement/sat-subject-tests.html , although they can also be used in some situations to fulfill a-g requirements. The CSUs do not use SAT subject tests at all for admissions, except if they are used to fulfill a-g requirements. But the UCs and CSUs only give need-based financial aid to California residents or those under AB 540 (graduated high school in California after three years of attendance and not on a non-immigrant visa or some other similar situations).
You can research test prep for the SAT2s, however, they are best taken fresh after the relevant courses. Bringing up a 500 score is not easy and you don’t have much time, given the retest you are preparing for the SAT1. How about a foreign language SAT2.? Try a practice test in a language.
What courses have you taken each year , and what are your grades?
Are you going to need financial aid? What are your parents willing and able to pay for college?
Have you researched and selected some good target and safety schools? You should have at least one college that you know Will accept you. Really, a couple of them would be great and a few match schools too
Once you have those in place, you can apply to the lottery ticket schools with impunity .