<p>We are trying to decide which math subject test my son should take.</p>
<p>His previous classes include:
8th Alg I:A
9th PreAP Geo:A
10th AlgII/Trig:A (we don't have 'honors' but this is .5 weighted)
11th Functions Analyt. Geo. B+ (fully weighted... 1. weighted)
12th Anticipated Calc AB (because BC prof. is completely inept... I don't say this lightly.)</p>
<p>He has been at the top of his class in all math classes at his IT HS. He wants to study aero/mechanical engineering and will apply to UVa, VT, & GT. We really need to stay in state. At GT there is the possibility of scholarship. His overall GPA is 3.85uw/4.15w.</p>
<p>His math PSAT in early fall was 730 (11th grade before classes). He will take the subject tests in June.</p>
<p>Any helpful advise would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>I would say your son should easily hit that 730 he got on the PSAT on the Math II. He might even push it up a bit. He could go to 760+ on the Math I but the schools are going to think he is lazy and playing it safe when they see the classes he’s had. In my opinion, the thirty point difference means nothing, while being seen to challenge himself will carry lots of weight. D just got into every school she applied to, her record shows that she ALWAYS took the harder path, i.e. a scholarship to Germany for 10th grade (w/o German language), dirty jobs, i.e. fence building for washed out pastures for a therapeutic horseback riding program, a summer as a grunt on an Iditarod sled dog training team (that was some rough work!), competing in every kind of scholastic competition,and NOT always winning, but always putting herself out there. She is in the deliciously difficult position this month choosing between Harvard and Columbia (equally good fin aid packages) and she got 710 on the Math II. </p>
<p>PS do not ignore the Ivys!!! Some of them have more money than King Midas and really live up to their word on covering costs for families under $180,000.</p>
<p>^ Thank you so much for your input. The feedback he has gotten at his school is that Math 2 is best for students that have had Calc. I wanted to do further research as he usually pushes as far as he can… especially in math/science.
The decision to go calc AB instead of calc BC next year was a hard one. There is not one student who has over a C and those student have tutors. The adcoms we have spoken to have recommended in our situation AB is going to be the better choice to get a solid base for calc in college.
Thank you for the information on the Ivys as well. Some things to consider. Congratulations to your D on the acceptances to Harvard and Columbia. You must be very proud. Good luck to her!!!</p>
<p>of course II if you know more about math</p>
<p>it is much easier to get a 800 in Math II than in Math I</p>
<p>My sincere thanks to all. DS has decided on Math 2. I believe this is the right choice for him. He will prepare. Testing on math/science doesn’t nearly bother him as much as liberal arts. He seems to go on auto pilot :).
Peace</p>