<p>This may sound really, really dumb. I've got two kids in college already, and one in high school. My kids have been interested in large public universities (one is in an honors college, and one is graduating with honors this year). One had about 18 credits in AP and college classes when he went off to college.</p>
<p>Neither of my kids took Subject Matter SATs/SAT IIs. I don't recall ever hearing of them when I went to college a long, long time ago. What the heck are they? Should I suggest that kid #3 take one-two-etc.?</p>
<p>They are tests that are used to show colleges your mastery in more specific subjects: bio, chem, physics, literature, languages, history, etc. They are more of a recent phenomena and more and more colleges are beginning to not only look at and consider them but require them in their application processes. They are graded out of a scale of 800, with around 650-680 being the average range. Personally, I don't see the point of having these tests because you already have AP tests for a similar reason, but AP tests are more designed to assist you during registration for classes (help you get out of intro classes and get college credit hours). SAT IIs are more designed fro the actual admissions process and actually do help you get into a college. In other words, it helps students show their strengths in more than one subject. Many colleges don't require them, but many top-tier colleges and universities do require them. It all depends on what college your 3rd student is looking at. Go to their website and see if they require them. Some colleges don't require them but "recommend" them (hint! hint!!). But as my guidance counselor says, it never hurts to take them.</p>
<p>The most any college would require is 3 (which is the max the Collegeboard allows you to take in one sitting). You could also take 2 or in some cases (mostly for retakes) 1.</p>