Really, How Important Are SAT Subject Tests?

Applying to College
1

<p>I've been getting conflicting opinions on the importance of the SAT Subject Tests (SAT II's).
I'm aiming for UCLA and UC Berkley, which require 3 SAT II's, and some people tell me not to worry about them, as the admissions officers don't look too closely at it, while others say it is pretty important and I should study hard for them.</p>

<p>What is CC's opinion?</p>

<p>Since people are gonna ask:
I'm going to be a junior.
Sophomore Year: weighted = 4.25, unweighted = 4.0
SAT I: highest practice = 2180, actual = mid 2100
ECs: basketball, boy scouts, acting, leo club, environmental club, 50+ hours of volunteer
ap's next year: 4</p>

2

<p>I would say they're relatively important though not nearly as important as the SAT Is. However, make sure you do well on them anyways.</p>

3

<p>I've noticed my school doesn't do so well in college admissions and I think a reason(of course not the only one) is because our AP teachers put so much emphasis on AP tests and absolutely no focus at all on SAT II's. Consequently, our students go into the SATII's blind and get subpar scores.</p>

<p>so, ye they are important. study for them.</p>

4

<p>There is honestly no part of your application that is so "unimportant" that you can half-ass it. Do your best on everything.</p>

5

<p>our school puts 0 % emphasis on SAT II tests. our teacher doesn't even mention it! ever!</p>

6

<p>They can play a significant role I suppose</p>

7

<p>sorry hijack!</p>

<p>I think that University of California only requires 2........</p>

8

<p>It's easy to say do your best on everything, but obviously, I'm not gonna put off my AP English final to study for the MathIIC, right?</p>

<p>There has to be areas of more emphasis, and I'm wondering how much emphasis I need to put on the SAT II's.</p>

9

<p>Making weak excuses like that won't really solve any problems, improve any scores or grades, and definitely won't get you into college.</p>

10

<p>Huh?</p>

<p>Excuses?</p>

<p>Improve my scores and grades and definitely won't get me into college?</p>

<p>And what college are YOU applying for? <em>pats newest newb on head</em></p>

11

<p>Don't worry, I'm planning on applying to every single college you are. Just to reduce your chances and take your spot.</p>

12

<p>My school puts emphasis on SAT II's and no emphasis on SAT I....thats why our schools avgs for the sections are lower than the national average....explains why most ppl from our school go on to moron-colleges</p>

13

<p>
[quoteI would say they're relatively important though not nearly as important as the SAT Is.
[/quote]
</p>

<p>That is a common myth. The truth is, SAT IIs are JUST AS IMPORTANT as SAT I's in the admissions process. Though I can't seem to find the article that spells it out clearly, I can make the same point using an 'Academic Index Calculator' found on the 'Hernandez Counseling' site (Ms. Hernandez charges tens of thousands of dollars for her services, has authored a few books, and has been interviewed by a number of news programs -- she knows her stuff). </p>

<p><a href="http://63.135.109.195/hernandez/ai_calculator.cfm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://63.135.109.195/hernandez/ai_calculator.cfm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Let's say your graduating class has 100 students and you're no. 1. </p>

<p>First try inputting your M+V as both 800s, and your three subject tests all as 600. Check to see what the academic index is. Now try reversing it (getting 600 on M+V and 800 on your subject tests). You'll notice, that the academic index is THE SAME. </p>

<p>In her books, I know she writes on this topic, but I can't seem to find it at the moment.</p>

<p>Subject tests are just as important as the reasoning exam.</p>

14

<p>"Making weak excuses like that won't really solve any problems, improve any scores or grades, and definitely won't get you into college."</p>

<p>-you come off as a jackass in every single one of your posts...</p>

15

<p>I think thats what the troll is trying to be</p>

<p>I personally think that the "AI" calculator is too lenient - the result from the AI if presented to an adom would have importance only in the impression it leaves on the adcom, unless its used in a mechanical system where all applicants below a certain number are deleted.</p>

16

<p>
[quote]
I'm not gonna put off my AP English final to study for the MathIIC, right?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>you could try doing both. When I saw that SATII's and AP tests coincided, I decided to study only for SATII's (IIC,Bio,History). I did well on SATII's and this carried into 5's in Bio and HIstory. Calc I only got a 4 because that wasn't apart of my SATII studying, but I think it was a pretty good tradeoff.</p>