Just Took First Practice Test... Course of Action?

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>I've been a lurker on this site for about two weeks now, but have just recently decided that it would be a good idea to create an account! I have just started this thread in hopes that some of you could help me out with a couple of questions that I have about analyzing my SAT score.</p>

<p>I am a sophomore (class of '17) and have just recently become interested in the SAT, this site, and college admissions in general. I'm an ardent, competitive student from a ridiculously competitive private institution, so if any of you are wondering why I'm starting to worry about the SAT now, there's your answer! I took the online CB practice test over the course of two days. I've woke up slightly sick today and I noticed as I took the CR sections that my attention span slowly diminished over the course of the test. This may have affected my scores slightly, but not significantly by any means.</p>

<p>Anyways, here is the score that I received (without any studying): 1960 (650 M | 710 W | 600 CR)</p>

<p>I believe that this is quite a good score to begin with, but I'm also quite worried because after reading numerous SAT-related posts I've come to the realization that CR is the hardest section to improve upon.</p>

<p>A couple of things to note:
- The SAT is changing in the Spring of 2016. I would like to take one test before the end of this year (possibly in May) and one in January of next year to give me two shots at the test before it is drastically altered. If I reach 2200+ (my ultimate goal) before the new test is put forth, do you think it would be necessary to take the new test at all? My reasoning behind taking the old test twice is that it is predictable and learnable; there are many useful, reliable resources out there made specifically to study for it, and I have been told that certain aspects of it are supposedly easier than the new SAT.
- I am only 2 months into Geometry; in the Math sections, I mainly had trouble with geometry problems, so when I have learned all of the material relating to that, I believe my score will be low-mid 700's.
- I am a white male who grew up in the USA, so English is my first language. I hope knowing this will help anybody who is interested in helping a young tyke out assess what my focus should be.</p>

<p>So, to condense this whole post into a couple of questions:</p>

<p>1) How much can I expect to improve after 6 months of dedicated study after an initial score of 1960 (650 M | 710 W | 600 CR)? Is the online College Board test a reliable prediction of one's real SAT score?
2) What do you recommend I do to increase my critical reading ability? Is there any sort of mental exercise or strategy that will increase my attention span? (Please do not tell me to use the CB Blue Book practice tests; since there are only 11 of them, I want to use them sparingly at certain intervals to measure my progress, not all at once to increase my critical reading ability.
3) Am I making the right decision in trying to take 2 SATs before Spring of 2016? If not, please elaborate why the new SAT will grant a higher score/make it easier for me?</p>

<p>Thanks to all who read, and I'm sorry for the lengthy clutter of information!</p>

<p>@LucidGman‌ </p>

<p>You are starting at a very good baseline and getting to 2200+ is fairly reasonable with ample hard work. The critical reading passages on the SAT are quite dense and require deep focus. To a certain degree it is about getting used to the structure of these passages, and the typical questions they ask. For this I would highly recommend you to stick to official CR passages, and get a hang for the general category of questions that they ask. There are different strategies to approach CR, and you will have to figure out what works best for you. I like to read the passage deeply absorbing the information, and then dive in to the questions. Also, you may choose a different strategy such as skimming the passage, reading the questions and then coming back to the passage to answer the question. </p>

<p>As for the Geometry, definitely brush up on all the basics, and then use the collegeboard content for practice. And don’t worry about exhausting the Collegeboard tests. There are plenty. You can get ten additional tests from [url=“&lt;a href=“http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/145730001X/st06202-20"]Collegeboard’s"&gt;http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/145730001X/st06202-20"]Collegeboard’s</a> online course<a href=””>/url</a>, it is really just a collection of tests, not really a course. Also, they have subject quizzes. For example, they have three quizzes for geometry(20 questions each), that would be excellent for practice. </p>

<p>Also, you can use additional official practice tests released by collegeboard over the years. I have listed the links in this post: <a href=“Links to Additional Official SAT Practice Tests from CollegeBoard - SAT Preparation - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/1277787-links-to-additional-official-sat-practice-tests-from-collegeboard-p1.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Best wishes</p>

<p>@SATQuantum‌ </p>

<p>Thank you for your reply!</p>

<p>I agree with everything you said. Both of your CR strategies seem interesting - is there any type of book or website where you got these from, so that I can look into it and get a more in-depth explanation of how to approach these passage analysis questions? It would be of great help, thanks.</p>

<p>Your links to extra practice have been exceptional as well. In fact, I’m going to bookmark them right now, just in case something happens to your post. I have ‘Liked’ your post and rated it as ‘helpful’ because of your useful, supportive post. One final question; do you think it would be a problem for me to take the May SAT this year, as a sophomore? If I reach my goal (2200+) would it look bad to never take it again? I would of course take some subject tests next year, but not the full-blown SAT. </p>

<p>Thanks all </p>

<p>@LucidGman I should add the caveat here that I don’t teach the Critical Reading part of the SAT, just the math, so please consider my advice in that light. I have never really found anything useful in CR, any strategy that I thought was earth shattering. It really boils down to how well you can read a passage with deep focus and concentration, how well you can understand the structure and the underlying arguments. There is certainly the case of getting comfortable with the style of the test writers and having seen different types of passages, but that comes with practice. </p>

<p>Here is an extract on dealing with Reading Comprehension that is from the official test writers. It is somewhat generic but helps you to see what they think are the standard approaches. </p>

<p>“As you move through the reading comprehension sample questions, try to determine a process
that works best for you. You might begin by reading a passage carefully and thoroughly, though
some test-takers prefer to skim the passages the first time through, or even to read the first question
before reading the passage. You may want to reread any sentences that present complicated ideas or
introduce terms that are new to you. Read each question and series of answers carefully. Make sure
you understand exactly what the question is asking and what the answer choices are.
If you need to, you may go back to the passage and read any parts that are relevant to answering the
question. Specific portions of the passages may be highlighted in the related questions.”</p>

<p>Perhaps an expert on CR can chime in. </p>

<p>And I don’t see why taking it in May 2015 and achieving a 2200+ score should be an issue. </p>

<p>Cheers</p>

<p>Hi LucidGman,</p>

<p>I’m also a sophomore and I’ll share my experience with you. I recently took the SAT this October and I got a 2090 ( 640 R, 700 W, 750 M). I’m pretty happy with this score, but I’m aiming for a 2300. I’m probably going to take it once more this year and take one in october of my Junior year if I have to. I want to take it before the revised copy because there would be no practice tests and the test is supposedly harder. You just need consistent practice and things will start improving. Doing SAT stuff is hard during the school year, so the summer is probably the best time </p>

<p>Thanks @sharkshockey‌.</p>

<p>Glad to see another person who’s in my boat! Congratulations on the 2090, that’s really quite good for the beginning of sophomore year (better than me). I decided to take it twice, once this year in May and once next year in October (but, like you, only if I have to). I had the same thought process as you about the new SAT. This is precisely the reason why I want to take it this year, even though I know that it can be hard to keep up with along with school and all that. Good luck on your goal of 2300+, that’ll be tough! Cheers</p>

<p>@‌ LucidGman</p>

<p>I tutor CR for advanced students like yourself (and @sharkshockey). Ever since 2005, when the test was last changed, I personally witness hundreds of students every year go from where you are to above 2300. It is totally doable in a six month period. You are right in suggesting that the current SAT is very predictable and just as prepable: there are methods and strategies for different parts of the test that work wonders.</p>

<p>There are two basic approaches to reading comp:</p>

<p>1) Read the passage first and then go to the questions
2) Read the questions first and underline the references in the passage - then read the reference and surrounding context. </p>

<p>Option one is for strong readers who have the capacity for intense focus. If you can get through a passage without “blanking out” from beginning to end in less than two minutes and have the ability to discern main idea and tone in one swoop then I suggest you do this. This is becoming an increasingly rare quality among kids these days.</p>

<p>Option two is for most students who do not have the ability to read fast and retain. I teach this one to most of my students as they fit into this category. It saves a lot of time which they can use to delve deeply into the context of each question.</p>

<p>These options are only approaches. They are not techniques in and of themselves. You have to decide what kind of reader you are first then pick your approach and then work on a technique for each question type (refers to, best characterized as, implies, suggests, tone, analogy, main idea etc…)</p>

<p>As you practice make detailed notes on the types of questions you get consistently wrong. Figure out your persistent weakness, then tackle it. You can figure it out by yourself and it is more fun (and rewarding) doing it that way than by paying for a tutor or reading through three hundred soporific pages of generic tips that most of the books out there try to peddle.</p>

<p>Practice, sure, but collect data while you do so. </p>

<p>If I have time I will check back here and try to help you out some more. </p>

<p>and remember</p>

<p>IT CAN BE DONE</p>

<p>PS: absolutely get you your goal score on the current SAT. The new SAT is a bit of a mystery and I would not bet my academic future on it. </p>

<p>@grassfed - welcome, you seem to have some helpful ideas to contribute to the forum. Hope to see more of them.</p>

<p>I am still figuring out what to recommend to my students (and my daughter - - also a lucky soph this year). But I think you have the right plan. For students who are starting as strong as you are, it’s just too appealing to pass up the opportunity to be done with the SAT by next fall. And we do know how to prep for that one. I am probably going to have my daughter prep for this May or June and a second go next October. But I do have two caveats:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Students hoping to break 2300 are also students hoping to win National Merit (or at least be semifinalists). This will be based on the new format PSAT so you are going to have to at least look at the new format when it is released and maybe do a little practice. The new blue book will give you enough to work with, so there is still no reason to work with 3rd-party materials. </p></li>
<li><p>Then, suppose you succeed on the PSAT and become a semi-finalist. To then become a finalist, you have to confirm your score with an SAT score consistent with your initial results. I don’t know if that confirming score can pre-date your PSAT! It may be that you have to take a new-format SAT to confirm. But I am only guessing here – it seems premature to look into it now – don’t want to jinx it :)</p></li>
</ol>

<p>On the other hand, I will say one more thing: the purpose of the SAT is to make distinctions among the testing cohort. That will still be the purpose of the new SAT. If you are able to score at the elite levels on the old one, I am betting that you will do so on the new one as well. </p>

<p>And on yet another hand, if you are not at the level where you can reasonably hope to close this all out by next fall, then it may be a better use of your prep time to focus only on the new test. I hope to sort this out once and for all by early spring. We should start a thread then to hash this out further.</p>

<p>You have Oct, Nov, Dec & Jan test dates before the new format exam is released for the March 2016 date.</p>

<p>Re: confirming SAT score for NMSF….this was addressed in another thread on CC, but I can’t find it after searching. A parent called CB and they confirmed the date range of acceptable confirming test dates and it covered this school year and next for the class of 2017….IIRC. I believe the confirming score can be as late as Oct of Sr year, but I am not 100% confident of that.</p>

<p>I also recall reading that the new March 2016 exam will take seven weeks to score, instead of the usual 19 days, resulting in scores delivered after the May test date. Again, cannot confirm/recall where I read this, so don’t quote me. This delay would make it more difficult for students thinking of retesting.</p>

<p>^If that is true, it is good news (about the flexibility of test dates for confirming PSAT scores). Of course, you still have to ace that new format PSAT! </p>

<p>By the way, from what I have seen, the released details on how the new PSAT will be scored do not address selection index. Will they go back to doubling the reading score and adding it to the math to get the? I looked at the national merit website but didn’t see this yet. I guess we will know eventually…</p>

<p>@‌ pckeller –
I agree that we will have to wait and see….or get really ambitions and call the NMSQT folks. I could not find anything on their website but I didn’t spend much on it. The CT cutoff is rather high so I haven’t focused on attaining the confirming score as that is a solid 20/200 points lower than the required PSAT score. Agree that acing the new format PSAT may be an issue. </p>

<p>@sharkshockey – just one suggestion for your testing schedule. As you say, it can be difficult to carve out time to prep for the SAT during the school year. For that reason, I would not rush to take your second sitting this year unless you are hitting the levels you want during practice exams. Summer can be a great time to prep. I think it is possible to move from a 2090 to a 2300, but CR is the toughest # to increase. Also be sure to carve out time for subject tests and APs next spring, if needed. </p>

<p>My sophomore had planned to take the SAT for the first time fall of Jr year but after seeing how busy he was every Saturday this fall, he decided to move his first test date up to March of soph year, as he will not be playing a winter sport. </p>

<p>@‌ct1417 -</p>

<p>I am not going to look into this further right now. It seems silly – like those threads speculating about the curves on future tests. There is nothing gained and worrying about it just adds stress and distracts from the task at hand. All of these talented, hard-working students are going to land fine…</p>

<p>I started with an 1860 on a diagnostic test and improved to a 2240 after about 6 months of prep classes on the weekends (6 hours a week plus homework). I definitely could have achieved the same results on my own, but I knew I wouldn’t actually sit down and study if I wasn’t in a class. So if you’re like me, a class can be very helpful. But you seem pretty determined, so maybe the self study route will be fine for you.</p>

<p>It’s great that you’ve taken a diagnostic test. Here’s my advice now to raise your scores:
-Get yourself some SAT prep books. I personally had a princeton review one since i was in one of their program’s classes. This will have great info and study tips for each section. Review it and work out of it/do some practice problems.
-After a few weeks, take a full length, timed practice test. I think the best way to improve is to take loads of practice tests (in addition to studying). I think I did 4 proctored ones and like 5 on my own. Tip: you can take a free online full length test at the princeton review website. They even grade your essay! That was a great resource for me.
-I kinda had the opposite problem as you (I love reading/writing and hate math) but I don’t believe CR is crazy difficult to improve. I would definitely recommend studying the common vocab words, and the advanced sets. You should be able to get vocab words from a local bookstore. For the passages, definitely don’t read the whole thing and then answer the questions. My strategy was chunking it. Many of the questions start with “In line 3-4…” so begin with the earliest lines, and answer those questions based on them (and a few lines above and below them). Then i would work my way through the passage and questions, saving general/thematic questions for last.
-I’m probably a little but biased since writing is my thing, but I really don’t see why everyone can’t get an 800 (aside from the essay which is pretty subjective). To me, writing is the easiest to improve. I started where you are and got an 800 on the real deal.</p>

<p>But yeah, it’s great that you’re ahead of the game! Good luck :)</p>

<p>Hi @grassfed‌, @pckeller‌. @CT1417‌, & @Melissawilliams‌:</p>

<p>Thank you so much for your helpful replies! I am ecstatic to see that this community is so supportive, and I’m sure I’ll be able to make some good friends here at CC. Sorry for the very late response to you all; I’ve been quite busy with school work, chorus, and I was asked to join our school’s Mock Trial team (I’m thrilled but lots of work goes into it!). Here are a few updates:</p>

<p>1) I have talked with my adviser in school about my current plan as far as taking the SAT, and after consulting a college guidance counselor at my school, he recommended that I not take the test until next October. This will grant me the entire summer to be focused on SAT prep without having to deal with the hassle of school life. Furthermore, if I don’t do as well as I plan to, I could take it once again in November, December, or even January without the test switching to the new format. I decided to comply with this plan, so I will probably put off much of this serious SAT preparation until later (though I will be reading incessantly, answering SAT QOTD daily from my iPhone, and working on some vocab lists progressively :wink: )</p>

<p>2) Today, my father handed me my PSAT scores that were mailed to me, and I feel comfortable sharing them with you all… here goes! (Keep in mind I didn’t have a darned idea about what a PSAT was as I frolicked into the classroom at 9 AM that morning)</p>

<p>Total: 192 (no NMSQT… not even close :neutral_face:)</p>

<p>CR: 63 (-9)
M: 68 (-4)
WR: 61 (-7)</p>

<p>I’m quite surprised that my Critical Reading and Math scores were higher than my diagnostic test’s (30 pts better in both!), but I am even more surprised that my WR score went up 100 points from the PSAT to the diagnostic test. I believe I skimmed some of the major grammar rules that the SAT tests during the time period in between the two, and also the automatic essay scorer robot gave me a generous 12 on the essay, which unfortunately I don’t think I deserved. Nevertheless, I’m quite happy with these results, seeing as my lowest score is in the section that is easiest to improve!</p>

<p>@grassfed‌ :</p>

<p>Very helpful insight on the Critical Reading section. I believe I’m part of the second group of students that you refer to, since during my diagnostics test I often found myself thinking about something completely irrelevant to the test while reading some silly story about a boy from the 1950s and whatnot. I will certainly go through my PSAT booklet and mark detailed explanations of every answer that I got wrong and why. Thanks!</p>

<p>@pckeller : </p>

<p>You and I think alike! I am completely unaware of how things will go down regarding my unfortunate fellow class of '17 and the National Merit Qualifications. You say I will have to look at the new format when it is released-- when/where will it be released? From what I’ve heard, College Board is pairing with Khan Academy to prepare students for the new version of the SAT. I don’t believe other sources such as Barron’s and PR will have new books out until a few of the new SATs are administered, so will Khan Academy basically have a monopoly on SAT Prep for almost a good year? This confuses me.</p>

<p>Also, I haven’t considered your question regarding moving from a Semi-Finalist to a Finalist yet, and now it’s making me nervous. If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask a similar question that my adviser at school was unable to answer for me: When colleges see my SAT scores, will they see whether I took the old or new format of the test? What about super-scoring – since the Writing section is being replaced by just one optional essay, will my old WR section score count for anything? I’ve been told that the new SAT will be much easier, providing a better chance for less privileged students to do well, meaning there will be less disparity between applicants’ test scores. This would lead to more competition for admittance very prestigious institutions. This is why I’m asking about whether colleges will see my old scores or not!</p>

<p>Also, we could certainly create a new thread later on regarding the logistics and information gathered about the new test, and in the process hopefully provide many CC’ers with as much information about the new PSAT as we can!</p>

<p>@CT1417‌ : </p>

<p>Interesting post. It is for reasons like what you mentioned above (scoring taking longer) that I am planning on taking the SAT once, or even twice if need be, before these major changes take place. Everything that’s new takes at least a short while to settle in, and I for one don’t wish to gamble my academic future with “the new guy.” </p>

<p>@Melissawilliams‌ : </p>

<p>Thank you for your post! Your first few sentences gave me some real motivation, and the rest of your post gave me some good guidelines to follow. I feel determined, but my father also insists on sticking me in a prep class this summer. I know that he wants me to succeed, but I believe it’s a waste of money on his part unless I lack the motivation to self-study. I have the Blue Book, but it seems to give me mostly vague information that I already use while studying (e.g. “Cross out an answer if you know it’s wrong” :neutral_face:). However, I know that the practice tests will be immensely helpful to me. Hopefully writing will come as easy to me as it has to you after some quality practice; I believe I can get over 750 in writing and math, and hopefully in the low 700s for CR in the end.</p>

<hr>

<p>Thanks to everyone who posted, and if you have any more advice / insight regarding what course of action I should take, information regarding the new SAT, or anything else, it would be much appreciated :blush: Thanks!</p>

<p>That’s so funny, I got a 192 on my junior year PSAT (no prep or anything)!</p>

<p>You seem to have a good plan ahead of yourself. I feel like were pretty similar - I was on the mock trial team (captain), debate team captain, editor of the paper, NHS president, IB program - the whole shebang. And I still managed to take classes on the weekends junior year from Dec to March and I wasn’t too stressed. Took the test in March of my junior year and got a 2240, so I never took it again. Then I did subject tests at the end of junior year. </p>

<p>I can’t recommend hard enough that you finish all SAT testing (including subject tests) in your junior year. If you think you’re busy now, first semester senior year is hell… + mountains of college apps. All my friends who put off taking the test (even for the second time) till fall of senior year didn’t do too well, and were crazy stressed. And I think it’s good to focus on the old test so you’re seriously prepared for it - disregard the new one.</p>

<p>Also factor in subject tests into your planning, if colleges you’re thinking about require them! Good luck :)</p>

<p>@Melissawilliams‌ : </p>

<p>Nice! We do seem quite similar! I’m not the captain of Mock Trial, but I’m a witness on Varsity (There’s 2-3 teams each year). I’m really nervous because it’s my first time doing it, and I’m taking on a huge responsibility here since our school has a reputation for doing exceedingly well in these sorts of things. Do you have any recommendations on what I should do to prepare and not screw up on cross examination? I’m already cracking down on my direct examination, which we wrote last week, but they haven’t written my cross yet (I know another school’s cross may be different than theirs) and we have our first scrimmage in a week! Thanks.</p>

<p>I completely agree with you. My plan is pretty much the following:</p>

<p>1) Take OCT 2015 SAT (old) - If 2250+, stop, if lower, go to next step.
2) Take JAN 2016 SAT (old) - If 2250+, stop, if lower, go to next step.
3) Take MARCH 2016 SAT (new) - If 2250+, stop, if lower go to next step.
4) (?) Either take OCT 2016 SAT (new) or cry and live with it.</p>

<p>I’ll probably take Subject Test of Math II next May, but I am nervous about a second one (Princeton requires it). I think I should do a science, but at my school, it’s Biology, Chem, Physics, then another science or the AP of one of those in Senior year. I want to be as prepared as possible, so I’d like to take one that I’ve already had an AP course in. If it’s not possible, do you think an Honors Class in any of those 3 are enough to do well? Also, which one do you think is the easiest to get a good score on? (750+) Thanks.</p>

<p>@LucidGman – Re: your question about whether the honors level course in a science will prepare you enough to take the corresponding subject test. I would ask your classmates and/or the teachers of those subject. My son took the Bio subject test at the end of his 9th grade honors Bio class but he is not even contemplating taking the Chem subject test after this year’s honors Chem class, and that is b/c our school’s curriculum dovetails better with the Bio subject test material. I don’t know which science you are taking this year, but just ask around your school to learn if others have had success taking science subject test prior to taking AP course.</p>

<p>I believe my son had to ‘teach’ himself some of the material, and I think he used the Barrons and PR books I bought, as well as the one ‘real’ subject test provided in the CB book. (He may have looked things up on-line also.) He scored a 790, so it is possible to take subject tests prior to AP course, but I wouldn’t take it without review of the material.</p>

<p>Our school’s science curriculum runs the way you described, although some students elect to take AP Bio or AP Chem Jr year and then take physics Sr year when they have been exposed to more calculus. The school offers ‘regular’ Physics, ‘honors’ physics and then the two calculus-based AP Physics courses, but does not offer the algebra-based AP physics courses. Would your school allow you to take AP Bio or Chem Jr year and then take Physics Sr year? This would provide you the needed prep for a science subject test. Since you mention taking Math II next year, I am guessing your are taking Alg II this year? Taking Physics Sr year would be a better idea than taking Jr year, assuming you will be in pre-calc Jr year. </p>

<p>Also, I have heard that CB made changes to the USH subject test so that it no longer aligns as well as it had with the AP-USH course. This is the first year of the change, so hopefully more info will be available for next year’s Jr class.</p>

<p>Hope this didn’t confuse matters.</p>

<p>I really do feel bad for your class @LucidGman‌. You guys are stuck in the middle of this annoying transition. But here are some of my tips when people ask me about these exams. (By the by, I got a 235 PSAT, so I’m legit. :smiley: )</p>

<p>Don’t waste your time/money on classes. My sophomore year PSAT was a 207, so we aren’t too far apart. You really need to buckle down over the summer/breaks and study hard! You can find additional SAT practice tests from the collegeboard online, and you can PM me for some other places. I also got some PSAT tests from my sister’s desk, so make sure to ask older friends if you can use their old booklets.</p>

<p>I don’t like most third party books, so I don’t use them. But the only one I recommend (especially for reading and math) is Mike Barrett’s Black Book. It really teaches you some excellent CR strategies and it saved me on math too.
I’ve also heard good things about Erica Meltzer’s books, but I haven’t used them. There’s also the PWN the SAT books, which I’ve used but don’t really like. PWN the SAT has a website that answers SAT questions though, so use that if you can. I often look at the problems posted there, try to solve them on my own, and then look at Mike (the PWN the SAT owner)'s solution. </p>

<p>You are at a bit of a disadvantage with math, if you haven’t finished geometry yet. But what you can do is study ahead for the SAT geometry problems. There are very few concepts that come up on the SAT (a lot about angles, and a lot about pythagorean triples), so it shouldn’t be a big deal.</p>

<p>Definitely don’t take Math II until you’ve finished Precalculus or whatever your school’s equivalent is. It’s extremely heavy on precalculus topics, and there’s stuff that I haven’t learned yet (and I’m in Calc AB!). If your school has the usual math sequence, you won’t actually have finished precalc until the end of senior year, so you might want to take Math I instead of Math II or take a math class (or two) over the summer to move ahead. Consider taking a humanity subject test as well, if you’d like to show how well rounded you are. Languages are often good ideas, if you’re enrolled in one. </p>

<p>I’ll PM you about Mock Trial.</p>

<p>In regards to subject tests, there really is no “easiest” test; it’s all subjective. I love reading and writing so I took the Literature test without any prep and got a 780, which I was happy with. (Mind you, I only had a 730 on CR). If you’re a math person, math I or II is good. I think colleges want to see more of Math II though since the former is pretty basic. Depending on what you want to study and where you want to go, you can choose which test is best for you. One of my friends who’s applying to MIT took the Physics, Chem, and Math II test. I’m not applying to any school that’s heavily oriented toward STEM or anything (and besides I hate math and science), so I took US History and Lit. </p>

<p>I think it’s best to take tests that you naturally feel good at already, and have had classroom experience in. Keep in mind, you don’t HAVE to do a science unless you truly want to. I did Bio after taking IB Biology and not prepping at all, and I didn’t do so great (630). Not sending that score haha. </p>