Is Literature SAT necessary?

<p>I posted this on the Testing Forum, but thought I would post it here as well -</p>

<p>Here is my son's situation:
1. Homeschooled
2. Junior
3. Completed 5 AP exams (three 5s and two 4s and is currently taking 3 - will take 3 more next year
4. Chemistry Exam - scored 740 and plans on taking Math II in June
5. SATs CR680 M 770 Wr690
6. Schools he is considering: Colgate; UMD - Business School; not sure where else he will apply
7. He still needs to complete a research paper by early June and hasn't really started it - he has a topic and did some research but is considering changing topics.</p>

<p>So, knowing that he still needs to complete his research paper (not part of his actual grade - but requirement for his homeschool oversight), should he sign up to take the June SAT II Literature test? As noted, he already has 1 science and will have a 2nd SAT II this year with Math II. One of his APs this year is English Lang. & Comp. Will that be enough? He's kind of feeling tested out, and I don't blame him. Plus, he had to take the Stanford Achievement Test this year as part of his homeschool oversight requirement. Any thoughts on whether or not he should have a Literature score?</p>

<p>Yes, let him take the Literature. His cr and writing are okay, he should find literature okay.</p>

<p>I suggest you check the websites or contact the schools of interest for guidance on this. I don’t have experience with homeschooling but have noticed on a few college sites that some suggest more SAT2 testing for homeschool students than they may normally require, just for additional external validation. Since he will be able to show quite a few AP scores maybe that is enough.</p>

<p>A couple of SAT IIs and a few APs are, in reality, good enough to confirm the quality of your education, but a 700+ on the Literature SAT wouldn’t hurt either.</p>

<p>Let your son take a practice test and see how he does. If he gets above a 650, then it probably wouldn’t hurt to take the SAT II exam. Having a research paper due is no excuse; he can surely spare an hour of time to take the SAT II. If he scores below 650, and he feels “tested out,” don’t worry about it.</p>

<p>(Of course, you shouldn’t have to force him to take any tests. He <em>should</em> be willing to do it by himself, if he’s prepared.)</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for your feedback. We have decided to take a practice exam and see how he does on it - that’s a great suggestion. </p>

<p>DiscipulusBonus, we were looking at it as taking more than the hour for the actual exam. Perhaps we are making it more difficult than it needs to be. (It wouldn’t be the first time!) Typically he studies and practices for AP, SAT, and SAT II testing. </p>

<p>In addition to his regular classes that he is taking (Bible, AP Lang., AP Macro, AP Micro, AP World History - won’t be taking the APWH test as that test is offered at the exact same time as one of his economics tests and couldn’t find an alternate test date/test site, Calculus, Biology, Literature and Spelling - his oversight requires Lit. & Spelling in addition to his AP Language as that only counts as an English component for them) he is prepping for 3 AP exams, the Math II exam, took the SATs twice, PSAT, and the Stanford Achievement Test - ALL this school year. </p>

<p>I’m sure it looks like he is making excuses for not taking the Literature SAT, but actually it is ME! lol! He is my one son that I actually have to tell to “have some fun!” He is VERY driven and it sometimes concerns me. Because of that, I was hoping the AP English Language would be enough confirmation, but from the sounds of it, he should have the Literature exam for that extra confirmation. </p>

<p>Mathyone, of the schools he is looking at, none require more than 2 subject tests - even for homeschoolers. Does a third SAT II show extra rigor/confirmation of that rigor? </p>

<p>I am talking from experience as we home school. A thrid SAT II would be very good and will help dispel any doubts. A combination of math, science and literature would show well-roundedness.</p>

<p>No reason to take the Literature exam. He has enough validation and credentials. Good for him!</p>

<p>You know the test was yesterday, right?</p>