<p>Good point, but…IMHO, the best way to determine whether the material in the class covers the material on the test is to look at the review material in a good test prep book. SOME teachers are up on this, but I fear many are not. In a school where the GCs don’t even discus the topic with kids and parents, I tend to doubt that the teachers will be better informed, simply because so few kids will take the test.</p>
<p>My S’s Honors Chem teacher sophomore year was aware of it, and made an announcement that he would be holding a few special afterschool sessions to cover the additional material for anyone who planned to take the SATII. In my experience, he is the exception, not the rule.</p>
<p>You’re right, Consolation. Schools may not be well informed on this topic.</p>
<p>Taking sample tests from a good review book can be a big help. (My daughter figured out that she shouldn’t take the Chemistry subject test this way – there were large chunks of material that had not been included in her course.) </p>
<p>Savvy parents of high-achieving students from previous years can also be a good resource.</p>
<p>Even if the school does not require any SAT II it might be a good idea to add them specially if going to a STEM major specially if you are already taking an AP class. Even though SATs and APs do not correspond, a student that does well in his AP class can expect to do well in his SAT II exam even without too much studying. For that super grade however is necessary to take some time to familiarize with the test. For STEM : CHem, Physics, Math II, (Bio for pre- med). Pick two and try to score 700 or above. If you can do that is all you need to show that you are a good candidate.</p>
<p>I have never seen any indication anywhere that there is any more need for prospective STEM majors <em>in general</em> to take the tests than prospective humanities majors. </p>
<p>It is true, though, that <em>a few</em> STEM programs want to see specific SATIIs, so that is something that should be checked. Picking any two will not work in that case.</p>
<p>Well, one could easily conclude that the entire education world is dedicated to part one from his or her money. Directly and surgically in the private sector, or indirectly but massively in the case of the public education system. Or in the way exemplifies by a statement above “Except we just paid $895 for an awesome SAT review class to prep for the June test.”</p>
<p>But leaving the cynic aside, a better way is to consider a test such as the SAT Subject as an … opportunity as opposed to a chore. As we know, the test is hardly a universal requirement, and the (misguided) acceptance of the ACT by a number of schools made it even easier to decide to skip.</p>
<p>Why is it an opportunity? Because the shorter and narrower test might play into the hands of “angular” students who excel in specific areas. For instance, many students find the Math Level 2 much easier to ace than the Math Level 1 (which is really harder) and the regular SAT. In other words, the mastery of a TI-89 might go a long way to undue the possible lower score on a test that rewards reasoning over brute “HS knowledge.” </p>
<p>In addition, for some the language tests offer a possibility to eliminate the language requirements. In so many words, rising early on a Saturday might save many early trips to a language lab in college, and the ancillary costs of that extra class. You will see that parting you from your money takes an extra dimension in college! </p>
<p>Lastly, it is unfortunate that you find yourself having to make that decision so late in the game. It is also pretty apparent why your GC might be wishy-washy about it, as he or she clearly missed the boat on making the appropriate suggestion to “knock off” a couple of subject tests in the early years of HS. But that is beating that old equine to death again.</p>
<p>In the end, if it can help the student, take the test. If not, do not look back!</p>
<p>ddahwan, I simply do not believe that SATIIs are more important for STEM majors. I think they are important for ALL students aiming at top schools.</p>
<p>The article happened to quote an admissions person from CalTech. If they had quoted an admissions person from a non-tech, super selective school, there is no way they would have said “the SATII is important for our STEM majors but not for our humanities majors.” That’s nonsense.</p>
<p>Xiggi’s comment reminded me that College Board could not do anything. It is the Colleges that are asking for it. If it had no value in the application process, colleges would not ask for it.</p>
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<p>All the non-public universities that all of my kids applied to had either SAT II tests as required or recommended. The STEM ones wanted to see specific tests, the others did not specify.</p>
<p>If a college “recommends” it, for your child to have the best chance of admissions, the child should oblige.</p>
<p>I asked why the elite college required SAT II if the child could provide AP’s. The Admissions Officer said they had historical data that allowed them to predict academic success with SAT II’s. They did not have enough data with AP’s. From that, it can be inferred that SAT II’s from common subjects is more useful (more data for frequently taken tests).</p>
<p>My daughter was accepted to Lehigh, LaFayette and the University of Rochester for engineering without submitting SAT IIs. She took them-the scores were not great so she decided not to submit. If they had been stronger, she would have sent them. Not submitting them did not hurt her.</p>
<p>Even if SAT subject tests are not required, they could be informative. A student with a 700 or higher on the SAT subject test math level 2 is probably ready to study calculus in college, but a student who scores in the 500s on this test and the SAT math section may not be. Some schools, such as UNC Chapel Hill, use SAT subject test scores for placement – see [Placement</a> Information Mathematics](<a href=“http://math.unc.edu/for-undergrads/placement-info]Placement”>http://math.unc.edu/for-undergrads/placement-info) . The cost of a subject test is small compared to the cost of possibly wasted tuition for a class one is not prepared for.</p>