Necessity of SAT subject tests

Test Preparation
1

<p>I am currently a Junior with good (but not overwhelming) grades, good (but not overwhelming) EC's and a good (but not overwhelming) SAT score (CR: 680 M: 680 W: 600 {I got a 640 when I took it another time}) and I was wondering about the necessity of taking AP subject tests as I plan to apply to schools such as UCSD, UC Davis, University of Miami and possibly UCLA. I know that most these schools will take SAT subject scores into account, but aren't necessary. If I were to take subject tests, they would be U.S. History (I'm currently taking APUSH and I know I would do well in it), Literature (although I haven't done great in the practice tests that I have done so far) and Math level I (there is no way I would be able to do well in level II)</p>

<p>To summarize my question, what would be the most beneficial option for me? Would it be to take all the subject tests, some of them, or just take the SAT reasoning test again?</p>

<p>P.S. The field that I am interested in would be Social Sciences in Public Policy, Political Science or Urban Planning</p>

2

<p>If none of the schools you’re applying to require the subject tests, I would recommend only taking those which you think you’ll do pretty well on. If you know you’ll get a really great grade on US History (try a practice test to see an approximate score), then it’s fine to just take that subject test and send it in. It won’t be the deciding factor in your application, but it can give you a little boost.</p>

<p>If you’re between a subject test or retaking the SAT, only take the SAT if you have reason to believe you’d actually do better. If you study for it a whole lot more and get higher scores on practice exams then it could be advantageous, but simply taking it again without more preparation won’t make a big enough difference to really matter.</p>

3

<p>If I think that I would most likely do fine on Math level I, would that be advantageous? </p>