<p>My son's a senior, waiting for two of his colleges to decide (rolling admit into a third). Anyway, his high school, while highly stressing AP's (yeah, yeah, I know they get money), never discussed SAT II's. Both my husband and I went through college (masters for me, Ph.D. for him) and neither of us took SAT II's. So, I'm not sure what they're for ... why folks take them, are they necessary ... when should they be taken ... etc. etc. etc. Could someone give me a crash course? </p>
<p>SAT IIs are often, but not always, required by a college as part of the admissions application. It's likely your son's colleges don't require them, or you'd have come across it when you checked the requirements.</p>
<p>Engineering schools often require the SAT II in Math (II); some schools like two or three (of any subject; sometimes they'll specify). Sounds like it's not an issue for your son, but if your daughter is looking at different schools, this is a good time to learn about them. Most kids take SAT IIs that correspond to an AP course they've just finished - taking the AP in U.S. History and the SAT II in U.S. History.</p>
<p>Some colleges, especially the most selective ones, require SAT II's (the name was recently changed to SAT Subject Tests, but many people still call them SAT II's) for admission. In some cases, students who take the ACT do not have to submit SAT II scores. In other cases, SAT II scores are required regardless of whether the student takes the SAT I or the ACT.</p>
<p>At some universities, different SAT II tests are required for admission to different programs. For example, some colleges require applicants to Engineering to submit the Level II math test and either physics or chemistry. In other cases, the student is free to choose which tests to take. Many liberal arts colleges or liberal arts programs within universities allow students to submit any two SAT II scores from different areas (e.g., one history and one math, or one foreign language and one science, but not two sciences). A few colleges require three, rather than two, SAT II tests.</p>
<p>It is necessary to look at the colleges' Web sites or contact their admissions offices to find out which SAT II tests are required.</p>
<p>The best time to take SAT II tests that cover a single-year subject (such as chemistry or U.S. history) is in May or June of the year that the student takes that subject, regardless of whether it's 9th, 10th, or 11th grade. The best time to take the math Level II test is at the end of precalculus. The best time to take a foreign language test is at the last possible moment, when the student has had as much instruction in the foreign language as possible. If the student is continuing to take the language in grade 12, the fall of senior year might be a good time.</p>
<p>One caution: high school curricula are not always a good match for the curriculum assumed by the people who write the SAT II tests. If your daughter is considering taking a particular test, it would be a good idea for her to 1) get a test prep book and try a sample test, to see whether all the material is familiar to her; 2) ask her teacher whether her high school's course covers all the material on the SAT II. If the test is full of weird stuff she's never seen or the teacher says that the local curriculum omits some topics that are on the test, you daughter may need to do some studying on her own or pick a different SAT II.</p>
<p>Thank you to everyone who replied. I do appreciate it. My daughter took the AP Bio test her freshman year. Apparently, from what I'm understanding, I should have had her take the SAT subject test for Bio at the same time. She's taking AP World now, but I doubt we'd need a subject test for that. Her schedule next year: AP Chem, APUSH, AP Lang, AP Art History, H pre-calc, H physics.</p>
<p>So, which subject tests would folks suggest? She's highly math/science oriented, so I know, at least, she won't be headed for a liberal arts degree.</p>
<p>BTW, her senior classes will probably be: AP physics, AP Calc, AP Lit (hates English, btw, just hopes to test out for college), gov/economics, ... not sure after that.</p>
<p>Marian, want to take a shot at what you'd suggest with that schedule, knowing she's looking at science/math/eng. related fields.</p>
<p>Marian's advice is spot-on and should be read carefully.</p>
<p>The important point is that, if your daughter is thinking of applying to some snooty selective colleges (which in general seem to be the ones that require SAT IIs), she may want to sign up for the test dates at the end of the year (especially if she's a junior) in her favorite subjects, but only after checking to make certain that what she's learned is what the specific test covers. And she should probably make certain to take Math Level II (or whatever it's called) if she's up to it. It's much easier to take these tests in June than to take them in October. Don't take "a bunch of tests at random" though.</p>
<p>Also, you can take one or two at a time; you don't have to take three. Lots of people think that's a mistake.</p>
<p>I know little about science because neither of my kids was interested in it. I have one computer science major now in college and one prospective economics major who will start college in the fall.</p>
<p>But looking at your daughter's schedule, I would suggest that her best bets in terms of SAT II's are Chemistry, Math Level II, and possibly U.S. History. (If she applies to any colleges, such as Johns Hopkins or Georgetown, that want three tests, U.S. History would be a good third choice for her), all to be taken at the end of her junior year.</p>
<p>But I would suggest asking around about the chemistry. She may need a science test, and this is probably the best one for her to take. But I do not know whether the AP curriculum emphasizes the same areas that the SAT II does. I'm not saying that she shouldn't take the test, just that it might be necessary for her to actually study for it. </p>
<p>If your daughter does well in AP U.S. History, she does not need to actually study for the SAT II U.S. History test; it is essentially identical to the multiple choice section of the AP test.</p>
<p>I appreciate the info so much. I feel, at least, a bit more knowledgeable. I had called her GC on Thursday and asked him to call me back so I could discuss this with him (oooh he had burning ears; he just called me back). I'll make sure we pay more attention to this and double check some of the schools I think she'd be more interested in. At this point, the only one she knows for sure is University of Florida, and I guess they don't require them as my son didn't need them to apply. </p>
<p>Definitely take the WH subject test this year, while the material is fresh. A high score and you can ignore the US History subject test next year to focus on others. Take Math 2 (after completing precalc), and Chem next year.</p>
<p>Don't assume just bcos your D is a math/science major that she should take only math-science subject tests; indeed, just the opposite -- strong eng-humanities scores can help a math-science person stand out from the app pool.</p>
<p>Also, don't rely on d. being able to bypass English because of an AP course - check with the schools she's likely to attend to see if they allow that. I know one LAC will only grant credit for a 5 in English; some state schools will give credit for 3s and up; some colleges grant no credit but give advanced standing ... the point is - the policy that governs is the one at the school she'll attend, so it's a bit of a guessing game but better to have her keep her options open.</p>
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<p>My daughter took the AP Bio test her freshman year. Apparently, from what I'm understanding, I should have had her take the SAT subject test for Bio at the same time.<<</p>
</blockquote>
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<p>Biology is one of those subject areas where the test may cover more info than the high school class taught. My D had to study out of a prep book to make up for those missing sections.</p>
<p>I think math 2C, US history (after you take the class) and a science is a balanced set of SAT 2s. Biology, chemistry or physics---take the practice tests in a prep book and see which one you do the best on. Then study the prep book for that subject.</p>
<p>I think one of the Maths, and US History are generally good choices. Many tech schools will also want to see a science. If you are taking an AP science junior year, that's probably the best one to choose, with the caveat that it doesn't hurt to look at a practice test and make sure your curriculum seems to be in line with the SAT.</p>
<p>I have a junior math/science kid and none of the schools on his current list ask for a humanities SAT-II. (We've been putting together a spreadsheet of all the schools' testing requirements to make sure we aren't "surprised" in the fall.) However...he is currently taking AP World Hist, and when I told him noone wanted a SAT-II in humanities, he said, "So? I'll take it anyway. Can't hurt."</p>
<p>Right now he is leaning towards math programs at LAC/research Us vs. engineering schools (though his top two are one of each), and he feels the humanities scores will help demonstrate his well-roundedness to those schools. He said that it also makes a good impression on engineering schools when one's verbal/humanities numbers are as good as the math/sci the adcoms assume they will see from their applicant pool. Hard to argue with his logic there!</p>
<p>The SAT-II WH is also just before the AP World exam, so it should not involve a lot of extra preparation. We'll pay for the test and see how he does. He feels there is little downside risk.</p>
<p>The SAT-IIs were the Achievement Tests (ACH) back in the age of the dinosaurs, if that rings a bell for the OP.</p>
<p>Just for the record, many schools, even highly selective ones, will take the ACT with Writing in lieu of the SAT Subject Tests. With all the problems that College Board has been having and the loss of score choice, many students are going with the ACT as a way to cover their bases. Just something to think about.</p>
<p>As a reference, the UCs require Sat IIs in addition to either the SAT or ACT. Here's from their website -
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If you apply as a freshman for the fall 2007 term, you must take two SAT Subject Tests and the ACT Assessment plus Writing or SAT Reasoning Test no later than December 2006. These must be in two different areas, chosen from the following: English, history and social studies, mathematics (Level 2 only), science or language other than English.
[/quote]
This is down from the 3 SAT II tests they required before the new SAT.</p>