SAT Subject (SAT II) Tests for my situation

Applying to College
1

In recent years, SAT Subject Tests seem to be slowly losing importance as requirements are lowered and more and more schools either are only considering them or recommending them as opposed to requiring them.

I’ve seen a lot of viewpoints arguing that SAT Subject tests are still very important for schools that recommend them, and I can totally understand why (they can really demonstrate your strength in various areas).

My situation is a little different, so I’m wondering if I should take two SAT Subject tests. (I have not yet done so.) This is because my school offers a strange accelerated track where we not only double on both AP and IBs but also do the full IB diploma a year early.

Currently, I’ve taken both SAT (780 Math/770 EBRW, with 7R/6A/7W on the essay) and ACT (35 English/36 Math/36 Reading/36 Science/10 Writing) with their corresponding essays.

I’ve already taken 7 AP tests (Chinese, CompSci, CarnegieWorld History, US History, Physics 1, Calculus AB, English Language) between 9th and 10th grade and 1 IB test (Business and Management SL). 5 on all the AP tests except Physics 1 which was 4, and got a 6 on IB B&M.

This year, I’m going to take 4 more AP tests (Physics 2, Physics C: Mech, Calculus BC, Government) and the rest of my IB tests (Math HL, Physics HL, English Language/Literature HL, History HL, Chinese A Language/Literature SL).

Given all this testing, my counselor has said that SAT Subject Tests are not nearly as important as IB tests for my situation seeing as these tests should already demonstrate my ability.

So, how important are they really given my rather unique situation?
The main reason I’m confused is because I’ve heard that American schools don’t really care about the IB and so it might still be necessary to use SAT Subjects to demonstrate my abilities in various areas.

Additional information:
I am a Chinese male, which I’ve heard works against me.
I come from a low-income background (< $40,000/yr), but otherwise have no “hooks”.
I am planning on applying to a few schools that say they are recommending SAT Subject Tests (Duke, Rice (these first two I’ve heard I can just submit ACT without SAT Subject), Carnegie Mellon) and a few others that say they consider SAT Subject Tests (Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Stanford).

2

If Subject Tests are required, then they are certainly more important than your IB tests. Without them, your application is incomplete.

For those that only recommend them, there is probably a spectrum. Some say “we recommend unless you have significant financial challenges”. If you paid $100 per test for all the APs, that might be a tough arguement. Other just say “we’ll consider them”.

I don’t think I’d say US schools don’t care about IB, but it’s not as well known/understood as AP, from what I’ve seen. Subject Tests aren’t as well known overall, but top schools certainly know them (they are probably also the ones more familiar with IB).

Adcomms from several schools have said that APs aren’t that important. CMUs rep told parents at our school that they don’t even look at them - their purpose is placement, not admissions. I don’t know if IB would be similar.

Honestly, with the SAT/AP results and courseload, Math2 and a science would probably require minimal effort.

3

[quote=“RichInPitt, post:2, topic:2084755”]

For those that only recommend them, there is probably a spectrum. Some say “we recommend unless you have significant financial challenges”. If you paid $100 per test for all the APs, that might be a tough arguement. Other just say “we’ll consider them”.

Do you know if there are any other types of schools that recommend SAT Subs with different polices regarding them?

That’s good to know–thank you!