<p>I would echo the caution against relying on these lists--because on some schools' website, taking SAT II's is either "strongly recommended" or "recommended"--in which case prudence would dictate that you take them!</p>
<p>Bottom line--you MUST check each school's website.</p>
<p>This link is most helpful. Click on the school name and you'll get the direct link to each school's standardized test policies on their website:
<a href="http://www.compassprep.com/admissions_req_subjects.aspx%5B/url%5D">http://www.compassprep.com/admissions_req_subjects.aspx</a></p>
<p>ALWAYS check the school's website -- the above site makes it easier and quicker to do.</p>
<p>Thanks for the list. </p>
<p>Lists like this can be really helpful, even though each applicant must double-check each target school, to be sure. </p>
<p>One lesson everyone should see: some schools require THREE SAT II tests. Fortunately, we knew that, but one of the administrators at my daughter's school -- the person who actually schedules and administers tests -- did not, and actually tried to shame my daughter in front of other test takers by saying very snidely, "-------, nobody needs THREE SAT II tests."</p>
<p>UC's:
*</p>
<pre><code> The ACT Assessment plus Writing or the SAT Reasoning Test. The critical reading, writing and mathematics scores on the SAT must be from the same sitting. If you take the ACT, you will be asked to report your scores on each section of the test as well as your composite score.
*
Two SAT Subject Tests.
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.
</code></pre>
<p>Carolyn, thanks for the link to the compassprep site and for your advice to always check the college website to confirm the information. For example, the compassprep site has not yet been updated for Yale, which now only requires two SAT II subject tests: </p>
<p>"Students who submit scores for the SAT I are also required to take two of the SAT II Subject Tests. They may take any two subject tests of their choosing."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.yale.edu/admit/faq/applying.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.yale.edu/admit/faq/applying.html</a></p>
<p>Fwiw, while on a different topic, it's good to point out that Yale specifically addresses the multiple sittings for standardized tests, "The formal admissions committee that meets to vote on applications, however, will see only the highest score you received on any individual test, if you have repeated any of the tests." </p>
<p>Despite having repeated the correct information ad nauseam, I can only lament that the undying myth of students being penalized for taking the SAT multiple times continues to surface with astonishing regularity. Well, there is always hope that someday people will understand that considering only the highest scores benefits the schools as much as the students. </p>
<p>
[quote]
In evaluating SAT or ACT results, does Yale consider scores from previous test dates?</p>
<p>Yes, in the sense that readers of the application will see all of the test results that are in your file, since you are asked to self-report your scores from all test dates. **The formal admissions committee that meets to vote on applications, however, will see only the highest score you received on any individual test, if you have repeated any of the tests. **For the SAT I, the admissions committee will consider the highest score from each of the test's three sections. For the ACT, the admissions committee will consider the highest composite score.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>At Harvard's admissions session this spring break the full time admissions rep repeated several times that ANY three SAT II's were acceptable. It was impossible to get out of one's head, she repeated the ANY so many times and made a point of letting us know she was repeating it. They must get the question an awful lot about whether it matters which three you take.</p>
<p>sewbusy, good point. I am not really all that surprised that the Harvard representative took so much trouble to emphasize that any three SAT II subject tests were acceptable since each college has its own admissions policy when it comes to subject field distribution. They probably do get asked that question often and for good reason. A student who plans to apply to several colleges that require subject tests has to keep track of a lot of information in order to decide which tests to take for admissions purposes. Many colleges do make it equally clear that they want students to submit subject tests in different subject areas. Pomona, for instance, wants students to submit</p>
<p>
[quote]
the results from two SAT subject tests, which are NOT in the same field. For example, students should not submit the results of both Math I-C and Math II-C, but rather should provide results showing work in a broader range of fields.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Also, a side note for international students - carefully check college websites and especially the FAQ section to keep up to date on the details of standardized test policy regarding SAT, ACT, and the TOEFL requirements. Again for Pomona:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Regrettably, the College will not accept the results of ACT examinations administered outside the United States.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>May I ask a question? So, Harvard says that its just okay to take any combination of SAT subject tests, as long as there are 3 scores. Does anyone have any information about Princeton? Do they also allow "any 3 subject tests"?</p>
<p>(First I was planning on taking "Math I + II and Physics". But, I've heard that 2 maths isn't good, so I'm now planning on "MathII and Physics and Chem.". But, then again, I heard that 2 sciences isn't good... is that true??)</p>
<p>I am sure that 2 sciences are fine. Math I+II probably isn't, as it's basically 2 versions of the same test (I is easier, but II has a better curve).</p>
<p>
[quote]
"The formal admissions committee that meets to vote on applications, however, will see only the highest score you received on any individual test, if you have repeated any of the tests."
[/quote]
</p>
<p>From what I read, the admissions committee will see the highest score but the first reader will see how many times the student takes the SAT.</p>
<p>I think (but am not certain) that the Harvard admissions committee sees all of the scores, which is different from most schools. Harvard stresses over and over that they look at everything that the candidate sends.</p>
<p>I think 2 sciences and math is fine. Even MIT which requires a science teacher and a humanities/social science teacher doesn't ask for well rounded SATs. My recollection is that Caltech and/or Harvey Mudd wanted both a Math and a Science and that no one else cared. That said I can't help but think that it might be a small plus to look more well-rounded. Not enough to matter though.</p>
<p>the best thing to do is to check the school's website -- <a href="http://www.princeton.edu/pr/admissions/u/appl/#testing%5B/url%5D">http://www.princeton.edu/pr/admissions/u/appl/#testing</a></p>
<p>princeton just asks for any three -- but I agree, 2 math SAT II tests don't sound good. If you are a math and science person, I think math IIC and two science would be ok.</p>
<p>Thank you everone for all your advice. I think I'll take the Chem and Physics test. I'll have to self study both, and I'm not really a "Science person", but its better than studying history from scrap.</p>
<p>light_paddle -- if you are going to self-study, I might actually change my advice.</p>
<p>Are you a rising senior? Did you take chem or physics last year? Unless you are a science person, it might be difficult to study the subjects well enough to get a high score (unless you just finished the class and you are just going to do some review).</p>
<p>Yes, I'm a rising senior. I took Chem I and Physics I last year (in Japanese---in Japan, we have Chem level I and II, Physics I and II). I've already been self-studying Physics for 2 weeks (because some parts of the SAT physics test is based on what we learn in Physics II), and it isn't THAT hard... compared to what we do in Japan (my Physic II friends were all laughing at my PR Physics book).</p>
<p>But.... are you trying to say that studying World History from scrap isn't THAT hard either? I have 1.5 months that I can devote all my time for studying, and I don't hate remembering some stuff.</p>
<p>Thank you for your advice in advance.</p>
<p>My advice would be to look at some of the SAT II tests and see which ones would be the easiest for you to study for. The more knowledge you have, the easier it would be to study for it. Have you considered taking the Japanese test if you know Japanese? I wouldn't suggest taking any SAT II test that you haven't had a class on -- so if you have some background in Physics and Chem, take those. Same with math -- if it looks like Math IIC is something you could do well on with a month of studying, take that test.</p>
<p>While most people understand the references to the old names, it may better for new members to see the correct names. SAT II and Math IIC have been replaced many years ago by Subject Tests and Math Level 2.</p>
<p>Lightpaddle has taken Physics II, so with the help of a SAT-II Physics review book, s/he should be able to handle the SAT Physics test. Go to the SAT/AP board to get suggestions for the best review book (s).</p>