Recommended SAT Subject Test Scores

Hi everyone,

I’m a high school junior who is looking to apply to one or two ivies, and then several other selective schools, such as Georgetown, Boston College, UNC, etc. Since some of these schools require SAT subject tests (ex. Gtown), I’ll be taking a few this spring and/or next fall. I’ve already taken US History (haven’t gotten score yet), am taking Math 2 in June, and will likely be taking Spanish in the fall. My question is, since I’m busy with a lot of other stuff, how important are my scores? What scores does Georgetown want its applicants to have? Is it worth it to devote tons of time studying if it may take away from school studying?

Thanks

Hi. I’m a parent. FWIW, I’ve heard that you should not take the Spanish SAT 2 unless you are a native speaker because so many native speakers take the test, it impacts the curve. I’ve also heard from several places that those schools that request the SAT2s do pay a good amount of attention to them, but for the schools that don’t require them, it means very little. I attended a seminar where they said that the SAT2s count for 6 percent, but I think that number is really meaningless because they mixed in the schools that care with the schools that don’t care. Here’s what I think…so many kids have great grades and ACT/SAT scores, that colleges want other info to help them differentiate the kids. Of that other info, I think your essays and recommendations are most important, and then they look at the SAT 2s. It would be tempting, then, to say that they aren’t very important, but I disagree just because of the sheer number of qualified applicants. I’ve also heard that for a school like Georgetown you should have a score above 700. Maybe others will chime in here, but hopefully this gets the thread going.

Are you comfortable sitting down and chatting with someone in Spanish for several hours? Would you be comfortable studying math or science in a Spanish language university? I think that if the answer is “no” to either question then the Spanish SAT test might be a bit questionable (unless the issue is only that you don’t like math and sciences).

I agree with Melvin, especially regarding the Spanish test. I’m a parent too. Schools that require or recommend them will use them in their consideration of your application. I’ve heard the 750+ level is the threshold to aim for. I’ve believe they’re worth the time, but you’ll have to juggle your time, unless you take one in August and study during the summer.

The Math 2 isn’t easy either. And maybe one of, if not, the most important test of the bunch, if STEM will be your area of interest. I’d bet my D put in 10 +/- hours of studying for that one.

to answer your question, definitely over 700, preferably at least 750.