Will having no SAT subject tests hurt me? None of the schools I am applying to require the tests, but a few schools recommend sending two. I am an incoming senior. If you do think I should take the tests, what two tests do you think are “easiest”?
If the colleges actually recommend subject tests and are high ranked, then likely you should take them and submit high scores if possible because the likelihood is that most who apply will submit them. Is it absolutely necessary to do so? No. But you want to be able to submit the best admission file you can when the competition is severe.
SAT subject test are not easy. You need to prepare for any such test. “Easy” is most often just an individual thing, e.g., some find the math tests to be hard, others easy. Also check what is actually recommended, e.g., some may recommend at least one in a subject that is simiular to your requested major and some may recommend specific tests, such as math and a science if applying for engineeering or science,and math if applying for some other majors like business.
Thank you! When you take SAT subject tests, do you get to see your scores and decide whether or not you would like to submit the tests? Kind of like the AP tests?
You should take the subject test that fits most with what you might want to major in, because 1. the college is most likely to want to see how you do in the subject area you want to study, and 2. you will probably do better on the subject you are most passionate about.
Yes. Just don’t send any automatically (it works like the SAT I, you get some free shots - you’ll have to pay to send after seeing the scores).
Agree with all the above. SAT2 subject tests are not easy. IMO, they require considerable study time. My D has friends who did AP US history, and found the SAT history test very difficult. They did not all do well and chose not to submit those scores. My D found the SAT Lit wasn’t too difficult and did well, but she excels in that area. Focus on your strengths and take the tests you are comfortable with. Study in the summer, take them as early as possible, and you should be fine. You can submit scores after you submit applications in most cases.
Generally, SAT Math 2 is considered pretty easy, particularly because it’s all precalc and below. Other than that, I heard SAT Biology is ok…? In order to do well in a subject test, you most likely have to have taken a class in the area.
“Recommended” should be treated as “required” if you are from a high SES background or attend a high school where it is common to apply to colleges that recommend these things.
Students from low SES backgrounds and high schools where things like SAT subject tests are rarely noticed may be cut some slack on them, since they may not have noticed the recommendation for them until it is too late.
The tests which are “easy” will be the ones where you did well in the associated high school course, and that high school course was of good quality.
Alternative viewpoint: My son applied to Northwestern, where SAT 2s are “recommended not required”, but he called the Admissions Dept about them (he didn’t want to take any more tests!) and was told that the SAT 2s are for students that would like to show strength in an area that is not reflected in their grades and/or AP Tests. My son had a 4.0 GPA and all 5s on AP tests so he did NOT take any SAT2 tests and was admitted ED.