<p>Hey there :)
I've been reading CC for a while, posting a thread for the 1st time.
So, I'm an international student and I've only taken the SAT German so far. My score is 750 which I find a little bit disappointing considering the fact that I've got a very strong background - learned German for 3 years in middle school, 4 years in a German language high school (bio,chem,physics,history and geography are thought in German), lived in Germany in a Gastfamilie for some time etc. However, do u think this score will do for Dartmouth or Brown? I mean, German's a pretty tough language in general, the curve's very hard for this test + not many ppl take SAT German... :/
Also, I'm kinda lost what other subject tests to take. Do u think I can get in with only 2 subject tests (German + one more) or I should definitely have at least 3?! I'm considering SAT Biology, SAT Math IIC and maybe SAT French.
I'm interested in biology and I definitely wanna take SAT Bio cause I wanna study biochemistry :) However, I'll have to learn the material on my own and I have no lab experience (no lab at my school, unfortunately!!) Does the test contain many lab Qs (experiments) and how can I study for them - can I read about common experiments in some book or watch them on youtube..?! Also, what would u suggest about studying? I'm planning to study from Barron's, PR and Kaplan SAT Bio books and maybe PR AP book + sparknotes.. Also, when do u think I should start preparing - right away or maybe somewhat later (August) cuz I'm afraid I'll forget everything until November...
'Bout the SAT Math IIC I also have some reservations. I took a mini prep course in my country and I think I can manage to get ~700+ but would this be enough for Ivies cause almost everybody gets an 800. I'm not applying to a math/physics program anyhow... And which books do u think I should use??
The SAT French's just an idea cause I'm pretty good at learning languages and I've taken French for 3 years at my school as my second foreign langugage but it wasn't all that serious and all... I think I can easily catch up with grammar and learn some vocab from PR, Barron's , REA books but would that be ~enough to get at least 700? Many ppl think it'd be easier to take the French test instead of the Math one... Or maybe I should try both?!?!
What would u advise me to do? Thanks in advance!
Btw, do u think having 2 SAT subject tests in different languages (German & French, in my case) will improve my chances and/or show well-roundedness etc cuz I already have one language + ppl will see that I've studied French from my high school courses ....</p>
Taking SAT test in a different language won’t make a difference.
Your answers are on the college websites.
Brown: “We require either the SAT Reasoning Test and any two SAT Subject Tests or the ACT (with writing component).” You don’t need any subject tests for Brown if you are submitting the ACT. And if you submit the SAT with subject tests, Brown basically doesn’t care which subjects, unless you are planning to study Liberal Medical Education. From Brown’s website: “If you are considering a Bachelor of Science degree or the Program in Liberal Medical Education, at least one of your recommendations should come from a math or science teacher. In addition, we highly recommend that applicants to the PLME program submit results for at least one science SAT Subject Test.”
Dartmouth: “2 SAT Subject Test Scores - If you submit more than two Subject Test scores, we will look at your two best scores. We encourage applicants to take the tests for the subjects you like the most.” Dartmouth will only look at your top two test scores submitted.
Each university is very different with how they view SAT subject tests, and some universities will require a science and math subject test for any prospective science majors. Check each college admissions requirements separately on their website.
There is no magic number that will get you into an Ivy, as every year thousands of students with perfect scores are rejected. Your application will be viewed in its entirety. Just take some more SAT subject tests and see how you do. It may turn out that your 750 in German is your highest after all.
I can confirm that the SAT German is indeed pretty tricky and has a tough curve. I did a practice test and was only able to score 780 despite being a native German speaker. However, 750 is still a solid score.
If you decide to take 3 subject test, I’d go for SAT German, Math2 and Biology.
If you want to take 2, you’d have to decide between Math, Bio and French. I suppose French is pretty hard just because the foreign language tests are usually pretty hard.
Math2 has a very generous curve (I think you can leave out like 5 questions and still get an 800), but if you’re not that confident in your math skills you might want to take the SAT Bio instead.
The topics for SAT Bio are:
- Cellular and Molecular Biology
- Ecology
- Classic Genetics
- Organismal Biology
- Evolution and Diversity
If you had Biology in high school it should be pretty doable. Make sure to check out the sample test in the SAT Subject Test bluebook.