SAT 2s when they are "Considered" or "Recommended"

Test Preparation
1

<p>When would it be recommended to take an SAT 2 when applying to schools for which they are considered or recommended?</p>

<p>I go to a hard high school where I'm probably the median student in terms of GPA. I have not taken any advanced classes, and I don't stand out in my current classes but I keep up more or less. </p>

<p>I plan to apply next year to colleges for which the SAT 2 is mostly "considered" and in some cases "recommended" but no schools for which it is "required." For example: USC, NYU, UCLA, BU, BC, Maryland, GW, and Delaware are amongst the schools that I'm currently thinking of. </p>

<p>I think if I were to study for the Math Level 1 that I could break a 600. Would this be worthwhile? I'm not sure there is a 2nd exam on which I'd do particularly well--it's not obvious to me. </p>

<p>My goal for the SAT is a 1900. I'm getting around a 600-650 on each section when I take practice tests. </p>

<p>I'm a junior currently taking Algebra 2, although we are primarily doing the first half of a pre-calculus textbook. I struggle a little bit, but I'm following the material more or less. When I glanced through a book on the Math Level 1, however, it didn't look terrible. </p>

<p>This would probably be my only SAT 2, because again, I cannot think of another subject where I could do well. Science and Foreign Language are definitely out so that doesn't leave many options. </p>

<p>Would it be worthwhile to focus on just the 1 test then -- Math Level 1 -- and study really hard for it and maybe even aim for the 700 range? </p>

<p>Or should I not bother at all with the subject test and focus 100% of my efforts on the regular SAT?</p>

<p>Tentatively, my plan would be for a January or March SAT 1 and then I'd do a May or June SAT 2. My thought for doing the SAT 2 is that maybe it'll show that I have some math skills :)</p>

<p>Or, I guess a related conversation might be would it be worthwhile to start studying for the ACT instead? I really don't like the idea of there being a science section, however. And I like that the Math test would be only 1 hour :)</p>

<p>Thank you for any advice!</p>

2

<p>When would it be advised to take an SAT 2 when applying to schools for which they are considered or recommended?</p>

<p>I go to a hard high school where I’m probably the median student in terms of GPA. I have not taken any advanced classes, and I don’t stand out in my current classes but I keep up more or less.</p>

<p>I plan to apply next year to colleges for which the SAT 2 is mostly “considered” and in some cases “recommended” but no schools for which it is “required.” For example: USC, NYU, UCLA, BU, BC, Maryland, GW, and Delaware are amongst the schools that I’m currently thinking of.</p>

<p>I think if I were to study for the Math Level 1 that I could break a 600. Would this be worthwhile? I’m not sure there is a 2nd exam on which I’d do particularly well–it’s not obvious to me.</p>

<p>My goal for the SAT is a 1900. I’m getting around a 600-650 on each section when I take practice tests.</p>

<p>I’m a junior currently taking Algebra 2, although we are primarily doing the first half of a pre-calculus textbook. I struggle a little bit, but I’m following the material more or less. When I glanced through a book on the Math Level 1, however, it didn’t look terrible.</p>

<p>This would probably be my only SAT 2, because again, I cannot think of another subject where I could do well. Science and Foreign Language are definitely out so that doesn’t leave many options.</p>

<p>Would it be worthwhile to focus on just the 1 test then – Math Level 1 – and study really hard for it and maybe even aim for the 700 range?</p>

<p>Or should I not bother at all with the subject test and focus 100% of my efforts on the regular SAT?</p>

<p>Tentatively, my plan would be for a January or March SAT 1 and then I’d do a May or June SAT 2. My thought for doing the SAT 2 is that maybe it’ll show that I have some math skills</p>

<p>Or, I guess a related conversation might be would it be worthwhile to start studying for the ACT instead? I really don’t like the idea of there being a science section, however. And I like that the Math test would be only 1 hour</p>

<p>Thank you for any advice!</p>

3

<p>It partially depends on the major you aim for. Some of the schools you listed highly recommend SAT II’s for certain majors, such as engineering.</p>

4

<p>Thank you for your feedback. I’m not sure what I’ll major in, but maybe something in engineering, accounting, finance, or economics; maybe something else. As I said, most of the schools I listed at least “consider” the SAT II regardless of major as far as I understand.</p>

5

<p>I think that you should only take an SAT subject test if you know you can do well on it (700). I would suggest taking a practice test for the Math I to see just how well you do - who knows, it might surprise you. If you get say a 700, then I would go for it. But don’t spend tons of time on it if schools only consider it.</p>

6

<p>I think generally the rule is that when a college “recommends” a test, that’s a polite way of saying that not taking it will be noticed by them. I believe that “considered” is a lower level of emphasis.</p>

7

<p>No offense, but I don’t think it will be worth your time and money if you’re aiming for 600~700 for SAT subject tests. The schools that have optional SAT subjects only consider them if they will help your application. And considering how 600 would rank you in the 50th percentile for most subjects, it’s not really worthwhile unless you’re getting 750+.
Just my two cents.</p>

8

<p>@eggopop Are you implying that people who apply to places like NYU and USC only break 750 on the subject tests? Otherwise, they don’t submit? In fact, in general, are you implying that those who get below 750s on subject tests just don’t submit? So, most people take it, but don’t submit?</p>

9

<p>@IxnayBob are you implying that it is worth it to study and try for a top score?</p>

<p>@cheerioswithmilk I just took a practice test and got a 600 without studying for it at all. Maybe with some studying I could get to a 700? Does that sound completely far fetched? Might it be worth it then? Or are you saying not to even try for it at this point?</p>

10

<p>Study for them and take them. If you do well, submit them. Best of luck!</p>

11

<p>Studying for the SAT I math and the SAT II Math Level 1 has a substantial overlap. There are not too many additional topics that you’d need for the Level 1 only. Why don’t you work on studying for both as one set and trying to get both scores up?</p>

12

<p>When would it be advised to take an SAT 2 when applying to schools for which they are considered or recommended?</p>

<p>I go to a hard high school where I’m probably the median student in terms of GPA. I have not taken any advanced classes, and I don’t stand out in my current classes but I keep up more or less.</p>

<p>I plan to apply next year to colleges for which the SAT 2 is mostly “considered” and in some cases “recommended” but no schools for which it is “required.” For example: USC, NYU, UCLA, BU, BC, Maryland, GW, and Delaware are amongst the schools that I’m currently thinking of.</p>

<p>I think if I were to study for the Math Level 1 that I could break a 600, perhaps higher. Would this be worthwhile? I’m not sure there is a 2nd exam on which I’d do particularly well–it’s not obvious to me.</p>

<p>My goal for the SAT is at least a 1900. I’m getting around a 600-650 on each section when I take practice tests.</p>

<p>I’m a junior currently taking Algebra 2, although we are primarily doing the first half of a pre-calculus textbook. I struggle a little bit, but I’m following the material more or less. When I glanced through a book on the Math Level 1, however, it didn’t look terrible.</p>

<p>This would probably be my only SAT 2, because again, I cannot think of another subject where I could do well. Science and Foreign Language are definitely out so that doesn’t leave many options.</p>

<p>Would it be worthwhile to focus on just the 1 test then – Math Level 1 – and study really hard for it and maybe even aim for the 700 range?</p>

<p>Or should I not bother at all with the subject test and focus 100% of my efforts on the regular SAT?</p>

<p>Tentatively, my plan would be for a January or March SAT 1 and then I’d do a May or June SAT 2. My thought for doing the SAT 2 is that maybe it’ll show that I have some math skills</p>

<p>Or, I guess a related conversation might be would it be worthwhile to start studying for the ACT instead? I really don’t like the idea of there being a science section, however. And I like that the Math test would be only 1 hour</p>

<p>Thank you for any advice!</p>

13

<p>we were kind of in the same boat - couldn’t find Any subject tests that we would do well on. We ended up taking math2 and spanish and it wasn’t pretty. If you try some practice ones and don’t feel good about them, I wouldn’t bother.</p>

<p>Also, I would highly recommend trying the ACT. You can get the red book at your library and see how you might do. The science section is actually a science ‘reasoning’ section where you interpret charts, data, and information from the passages. You don’t need to know science to do it. But it definitely helps to practice first. If you do take it, make sure and do the ‘with writing’. My daughter had 1930 on SAT, but got 33 on the ACT. She is a good test taker, but not good at the SAT reasoning stuff.</p>