SAT II - Are my early action and decisions shot?

Test Preparation
1

<p>I want to apply ED and EA to some schools by the November 1 deadline. I understand for most schools the requirement is 3 SAT IIs. In October, I’m gonna take Literature and Math IC or IIC.</p>

<p>Here’s my problem:</p>

<li><p>Should I take Math IC or IIC? I will be taking AP Calculus AB next year in my senior year. Which test has a better curve?</p></li>
<li><p>The third test would be the Latin SAT II, but I just heard that they only offer it in December. (Same with World History!) I haven’t done American History since 10th grade, is the SAT II easy enough where I can just pick up a SparkNotes book and study for American History?? </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks for your help.</p>

2

<ol>
<li><p>If you did well in Pre-calculus, then take the IIC. The curve is nicer - you can miss 5-6 questions and get a 800. However, there are always some tricky questions on the test and if you don't practice for the test, your score and precentile will suffer. Because of the strength of the people taking the test, an 800 only puts you in the 90th percentile (meaning that 10% of all test takers get a 800)</p></li>
<li><p>You are correct that the Latin and WH tests are only offered in December and June, so if you want to apply ED or EA (I don't think you can do both since ED is normally single-choice), you will have to take another test. Maybe a science test, perhaps?</p></li>
</ol>

3

<p>Do Math IIC; some colleges prefer it and if you feel comfortable with math, which you should going into Calc, IIC is the way to go because it generally has a better curve. For your third choice, depends on what you want to major in actually, but it might be good to have a science in there (i.e. Chem, Physics, Bio).</p>

<p>:)</p>

4

<p>Thank for your advice. The science test I saw in the College Board book are pretty difficult, and my major in college would be Liberal Arts, English, Pol Sci, History, etc. I don't know how well I'd do on let's say a Chem test unless the curve is really good. </p>

<p>Is US History easy to prepare for?</p>

5

<p>S did really well in precalc, but did not prep for the SAT IIs. He thought Math IIC was really hard and got a 680. His roommate, who is even better in math, got a 710. Math IIC is NOT that easy for everyone (just the kids on this board). S got 740 on IC (no prep) which is 95 percentile.</p>

6

<p>Definitely do IIC. IC's usefulness is just about done with the new SAT I math. IC also forces you to get every question right for an 800 usually, which is something I'd rather not attempt when IIC, while slightly more difficult, allows for about 6-8 omits (or 5-6 errors). And since you'll be going into AB, you (should) have a bit of knowledge on derivatives, which would be the only minor gap in your current knowledge.</p>

7

<p>Actually when I took the test (although 2 years ago), I don't seem to remember it having derivatives; also, there weren't many limit questions and they were all plug-in'able. Just do IIC, it'll be fine.</p>

<p>:)</p>

8

<p>Derivatives just make life easy if they ask for points of inflection and such.</p>

9

<p>they don't ask for points of inflection or anything related to derivatives (maybe some limits)</p>

10

<p>No, points of inflections and a few questions that are made much easier with derivatives have been on previous tests.</p>

11

<p>oh, i didn't know that. it didn't appear in the PR or barron's review books nor the actual exam, so that's why i thought it wasn't on the test.</p>

12

<p>Great. It seems like it makes more sense to take Math IIC. </p>

<p>That leaves me with one. Is the US History SAT II something I can study easily for the next two months? Or would you recommend I wait till December, drop ED and EA, and take the Latin one?</p>

13

<p>i slacked off through a us history class for an entire year and didn't prep at all and got a 680 which i was happy with. i think you'll be fine if you glance through the book.</p>

14

<p>Bill: Check with the schools that you are applying to. People are very helpful in admissions offices. There is a lot of confusion among students now as to which schools still require 3 SAT IIs now that writing is part of the SAT I, so I would call each and every admisisons office before you make your decision about which tests to take. Regarding Math Ic or IIc... some schools (like the UC schools for instance <a href="http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/examination_reqs.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/examination_reqs.html&lt;/a&gt;) no longer accept Math Ic. I believe they are the only case where this is the policy. I noticed in a previous post of yours that you are interested in USC. As you know they are not part of the UC system. My only concern is that you might be competing against other Californian students that did take Math IIc. I would ask your guidance counselor for advice when you start school in the fall.</p>

15

<p>Not a lot of people answered one of OP's question yet: is the SAT II U.S. History test easy to prep for?</p>

16

<p>If u took APUSH yes otherwise Idk.</p>

17

<p>bill_smear: I took U.S. History during my Sophomore year, and now I'm pllanning to take the SAT II U.S. History test in the fall.</p>

18

<p>Oh man I'm hyperventilating. Why why why is Latin offered only in freaking December and June!? That's ridiculous. Great. Ahh!!!</p>

19

<p>I know, I wanted to take World History in the fall, but no--only in december and june.</p>

20

<p>I think USH is possible to study for... but its not going to be a sure 800. USH can be tough with details sometimes.</p>