I took the SAT last May and got a 1350, but when I took the SAT this March I didn’t feel confident about it at all (I feel like I scored even lower than a 1350). My initial plan was to score better on the March SAT, take the Bio subject test in May and then the Math II subject test in June. I’m in honors precalc right now, and next year as a senior I was just going to take honors calc over AP calc (which would be reallyyyy time consuming with my other AP classes), so I told myself a good score on Math II would demonstrate my math proficiency to colleges. However, now I’m really considering taking the SAT sooner - in June rather than August. Taking it in June would be beneficial because I’m still in a math class where I practice math everyday, where I normally fall out of the habit during summer, which may hurt my August test. Is it worth not doing a Math II test and rather taking the SAT just in case I really fudge this March one and want another shot sooner? I’m going for a major that really wants strong math scores, and I want to still demonstrate my proficiency in some way (since it seems like it’s not being demonstrated through the SAT).
You need both of those scores. Since you’re so limited on time, take the Bio and Math II tests together on the same day, and take the SAT on the leftover date. You may want to take the SAT in June just so you have enough time to truly prep in a way that will be beneficial to your score this time.
Yes, I agree with them ^ take the 2 subj tests on the same day. Math II (no practice) was easy for me right after I finished precalc. I did better on it compared to the actual SAT math section which I took lots of practice tests for (800 vs 790)
Thank you! My only problem with taking both on the same day is that I haven’t finished my entire precalc course yet, and won’t until the end of June. In my class, the first three chapters were just algebra 2 skills - exponential functions, factoring, stuff like that - and my class is only up to solving trig functions (? unsure where that lies in the precalc curriculum). I’m really unsure whether it’s worth it to study really hard over the summer and take it in August or October. Math isn’t something that comes naturally to me, I can usually pick up on it very well when I’m taught it but on a test like that I’m not sure if I should rush to take it - unless colleges would want it before my senior year starts.
Sidenote, does it matter to colleges whether I take Bio E or M? I’m honestly fine with both topics though I’m leaning toward M (because that’s the side of biology I enjoy).
Hello!
Just thought I’d give some input if it helps you determine where you are in the curriculum! I’m also a junior taking Honors Pre-Calc and we have just begun our study of vectors (after completing a unit of trig functions, Law of Sines/Cosines, solving triangles, etc.). For us, that’s chapter 6, section 3 of our textbook. I don’t know what the Math II test covers, but knowing the frequently-encountered summertime lag, I’d recommend taking the Math II while you’re still in school, that way the information is fresh in your mind. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to take it in October of your senior year, though, since you’ll have some additional Calculus material under your belt.
To answer your question on Bio E vs. M: I personally took E last year because I was more interested in ecology, but also because the questions appeared far easier to me (I ended up getting a 780). You can scan through your question options before making a final choice, but most people who were taking the Bio subject test agreed that the questions were fairly balanced as far as difficulty levels go. Although I didn’t read the M questions in depth, it appeared as though both sections were easier than the rest of the test, which was a welcomed relief after a long stretch. I don’t think colleges will mind which version you take.
Basically, since you enjoy M, go with M, but don’t be afraid to change your mind on the test!
thanks! are you presented with both E and M while you sit for the test? i thought you had to pick beforehand
I would take it as soon as possible because that’s where I was at too for Math II. You get both E and M during the test, you can even flip thru both to decide which one you’d rather take. I took E since it seemed like more common sense based than M
try act as well, no conflicting dates