SAT IIs

Parent Cafe
1

<p>I vaguely remember reading here that some folks think it's best to take the SAT IIs after completing the individual courses. Would that be after the basic class (say Biology) or after the AP class? sorry for the dumb question.</p>

2

<p>Except for Physics C whose curriculum differs from that of the SATII-Physics and for AP-Calc, which is not necessary for SATII Math (either version), the higher the level of the course the better. So for Biology, ideally, one would take the SATII after or at the same time as an AP class. But it is quite possible to take the SATII at the end of an Honors Bio class (not CP level) and do well. The point is that the materials is still fresh in the student's mind if the exam is taken right at the end of the relevant class.</p>

3

<p>Generally after the basic class. If they're planning to take the AP Class Junior year, wait and take it at the end of that year (or fall of Senior year). </p>

<p>Word of warning -- when the Collegeboard sends out your child's scores, they send them ALL. So if your kid takes an SAT II at the end of sophomore year and does poorly, then takes the SATs as a Junior & Senior, when the SAT scores are sent the SAT II will go with it. College board does not allow you to pick and choose which scores to send any more.</p>

<p>Before encouraging your child to take SAT II, look at the websites for colleges he might like. Almost no one requires SAT II anymore, except maybe some Ivys. Why take a test you don't have to take, and risk showing a bad score?</p>

4

<p>if your child is planning on any AP courses Jr year, wait until then and take the Subject test that corresponds to the AP course. Take Math 2 when after completing precalc.</p>

5

<p>My son will finish precal (honors) this year (10th grade). Is there some protocol (website maybe?) re: how/when to register for the test?? Our school provides tons of info on the SAT but nil on the SAT II subject tests, it seems.</p>

<p>Thanks a lot!!!</p>

6

<p>Jolynne--</p>

<p>Register on-line at the collegeboard website <a href="http://www.collegeboard.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.collegeboard.com&lt;/a>. </p>

<p>Definitely take it right after pre-calc. My son took it in June of soph year after pre-calc before he forgot everything in calculus. Oh, and the Math IIc would probably be most appropriate if he has had precalc.</p>

7

<p>Thanks, Dado2!! We've registered already on that site (son took SATs in 8th gr) but I guess I'll head over & see what to do @ the SAT IIs. Good to know, appreciate it!</p>

8

<p><a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>your family will spend more time on this site, they you would ever want.</p>

9

<p>bluebayou--I'm sure we will! Son just did the PSAT last weekend & we know it's just the start...! :-)</p>

10

<p>Make sure your son gets a book of SAT II sample tests and tries out the ones he plans to take.</p>

<p>In some instances, he may discover that he is not as prepared as he thought. The curricula of specific high schools are not always a perfect match for the material covered on the SAT subject tests. If this happens, he may want to choose a different test or study the missing topics on his own, using an SAT II review book or other materials.</p>

<p>The right time to take the Math IIC test is at the end of precalculus -- that is, in May or June of whatever year he takes the course. Then, if the student is disappointed with the score, there is time to study and take the test over. </p>

<p>My son did very well in the basic biology course at his high school and wondered whether it would be a good idea for him to take the SAT II at the end of the course. His guidance counselor said definitely no. He said that many, many students take the test after completing AP Biology in 11th grade and that kids who take it after completing only the basic course are at a huge disadvantage. Of course, this advice may not apply to other schools that might have more rigorous basic biology courses.</p>

11

<p>Thanks, Marian! Good idea to do the practice tests. Son doesn't mind that sort of thing too much---studying seems to pay off w/pretty good scores...so a great tip not to rely entirely on the classwork!</p>

12

<p>With the bio SAT2, there are two choices (E or M). Using the practice test to decide which one to take is a good idea.</p>

<p>The chemistry test covers some things that are covered in physics courses in many schools (such as atomic structure)--so again, check the practice tests!</p>

<p>The literature test is a good humanities test that doesn't involve any specific content, just readings and interpretation. </p>

<p>This page describes content for the various SAT2s. <a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about/SATII.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about/SATII.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

13

<p>That's good to know, dmd77!</p>

14

<p>A word on the Kaplan SAT II books though. I believe the general concensus is that they are generally tougher than the actual tests (at least the Math IIC was), so don't get discouraged if some number of the problems in them are outside of what your son has been exposed to. The grading curve is fairly generous on the IIC, as well, so 5-6 wrong can still give an 800 (I think that's right, but it's been a couple of years).</p>

15

<p>One more thought: The U.S. History SAT Subject Test is remarkably similar to the multiple choice section of the AP U.S. History test. So any student who takes AP U.S. History prior to 12th grade might want to seriously consider taking the U.S. History SAT Subject Test at the end of the course. I know several students who got excellent scores (where excellent is defined as 750 or higher) on this SAT II without doing any additional studying beyond what they were already doing to prepare for the AP test.</p>

16

<p>
[quote]
So any student who takes AP U.S. History prior to 12th grade might want to seriously consider taking the U.S. History SAT Subject Test at the end of the course.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>DS took the AP on a Friday and the SAT II the next day. Got a B in the course, a 4 on the AP, and 740 on the SAT II.</p>

17

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<p>In some instances, he may discover that he is not as prepared as he thought. The curricula of specific high schools are not always a perfect match for the material covered on the SAT subject tests. If this happens, he may want to choose a different test or study the missing topics on his own, using an SAT II review book or other materials.<<</p>

<p>Definitely my D's experience! She had to self-study biology (at our local hs, biology is taught over THREE years--she only took 2). She also found that the SAT2 USH test covered more material but in a lot less depth. So it was helpful to breeze over a review book.</p>

18

<p>This has not been mentioned but if your child takes the ACT in addition to the SAT I (which alot of kids do these days) the ACT replaces the SAT II's at most schools.</p>

19

<p>If a particular SATII is repeated, will Collegeboard send both scores, just the latest or just the highest?</p>

20

<p>US History: As I've reported before, my son also took the APUSH test and USH SAT II on consecutive days. He claimed that close to half of the multiple choice questions on the SAT II were either identical to questions on the APUSH exam or slight variations (e.g., same answers, but different question, or same text to read but somewhat different questions about it).</p>