<p>Hi -
I'm planning on applying to college in the US, for admission in 2010 (I'm taking two gap years for personal reasons). In order not to be constrained to being in the UK (my home country) at certain dates, I would like to take the SAT (I and II) exams as soon as possible. My questions are:</p>
<p>If I take the SATs in May / June of this year (2009) will colleges be concerned as to whether I will have the same academic calibre on admission a year later (ie. would I be better to take the exams at a later date)?</p>
<p>Would I be right in thinking that one cannot take the SAT I and SAT II (subject tests) on the same date? If so, in what order would you recommend that I take them?</p>
<p>Thanks for your attention, and my apologies if my questions seem trivial - I just want to be sure.
Jo</p>
<p>I have no idea how colleges would look at your scores. However, regarding you taking up the SAT, I would ask you to take the SAT subject tests first, since your physics, chemistry, etc.. will be strong n fresh in your mind. And yes, you can't take up both the reasoning and subject tests on the same day.</p>
<p>Hi neethu, and thanks for your thoughts. You have, however, reminded me of another question I meant to ask:</p>
<p>I have been planning on taking the subject tests in Maths (II), English Literature and World History - do you think that I would be at a significant disadvantage for not having taken a science test? I could (at a pinch) do Biology, but with rather less confidece than in the above subjects. In case it's relevant, I should probably mention that I plan on applying to very academic/selective colleges, for the most part.</p>
<p>Well if you're applying for admission in 2010 it means you'll be sending your application this Autumn, so they would expect you to do the SATs this year so the scores are ready for your application.</p>
<p>Also, I have to say that I'm from the UK and my name is Jo too! And I'm also probably going to do World History and English. Booya. Where are you planning to apply?</p>
<p>Don't worry, ask as many questions as you need to. That's all I did when I first joined and I'm fairly sure most people here just thought I was really stupid but oh well. It's such a different application process and education system that naturally internationals have a lot of questions to try and understand it.</p>
<p>I think they might accept it, sometimes it depends on the college whether they take it. But bear in mind most early decision places are binding, so you have to accept. So if you apply ED then make sure it's your top choice and you definitely want to go there. It would probably be better to take the SAT before December though.</p>
<p>Well, the colleges which make subject tests compulsory do insist on one science subject test at least, if I am sure. And regarding Early Decision, that totally rests up to the admissions committee only. Though its advisable to finish your testing early, some colleges do accept Dec retake scores. So, it would be better to finish all your testing before the deadline. I suggest you ask the admissions committee about acceptable test dates.</p>
<p>Thanks again to both of you. All the websites that I've looked at specify either a science OR maths - do you know any that won't accept an application without chemistry, biology or physics?</p>
<p>"You may take any three subject tests. A candidate whose first language is not English should not take the SAT Subject Test in in his or her native language as one of the three required SAT Subject Tests."</p>
<p>and</p>
<p>"To satisfy our application requirements, applicants must take three SAT Subject Tests, and ** students may choose any three subjects **, with the exception of the English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT). Applicants may wish to convey the breadth of their academic interests by taking tests in different subjects."</p>
<p>No worries - at least it made me check their website! If you could let me know if you think of anwhere else that might need a science, I'd be really grateful. Thanks again to all of you - you've been really helpful to me.</p>
<p>MIT and a few other tech universities explicitly require a science SAT, for obvious reasons. But if you do not intend to major in a science, I don't think you are at a disadvantage taking two humanities tests. In fact, I think it could even given you an advantage over all the other international applicants who are applying with three science SAT subject tests. Everyone has to study sciences in high school, but how many international students learn about English literature or world history? It just demonstrates how well-rounded you are!</p>
<p>Just be careful with the timing of your SAT tests. Many colleges don't accept December scores for ED applicants, and many others do but discourage it. Some ED application deadlines are as early as November 1 and they notify applicants before you would even get a chance to take the December exam. You would leave yourself a lot more options open if you took the SAT subject tests in June (the only other date where the world history test is offered).</p>
<p>Thanks b@r!um!
Now I think about it, I recall reading that on the MIT website - as you say, it makes sense there, I guess. I was wondering if the same is true of some of the liberal arts colleges (I've checked a couple, but neither had this as a requirement). I hadn't appreciated that science subjects are so dominant amongst international applicants.</p>
<p>Are there any colleges that won't accept December test results for regular decision?
I appreciate that there's probably a case-by-case element to it, and that it's clearly safer to take the test earlier.</p>
<p>Also, I didn't know that the world history test is only available in December and June - are there any other limitations like this?</p>
<p>A few other subject tests are only offered on select test dates, but Literature and Math are not affected. You can find the full SAT subject test calendar here: SAT</a> Subject Test Calendar</p>
<p>I suppose that all colleges accept December SAT scores. But if you postpone your testing until December, there is obviously no time to retake the tests if something goes wrong. (And that something could be anything from you getting sick to a traffic jam or the test center canceling the test date because of some local issue.)</p>
<p>Thanks to your input, I've decided to take the SAT1 (reasoning test) in May, and the Suject tests in June. Now, however, I've got another problem: when registering online for the May exam, there is the option of choosing up to eight colleges to receive the results (of which four are free). Should I fill this in, or can I sent my results on later (when I have begun my application)?</p>
<p>Pleas rsvp - I really want to get on with the application.</p>
<p>Thanks once more - I'd be utterly lost without you guys.
Jo</p>