SAT Subject Tests?

Well… It appears the standardized testing season is upon us. I’m looking at some selective schools. Most of them don’t require SAT subjects but I figured I could use them to supplement my application. The problem is, however, which ones should I take?

I plan on majoring in history so I was considering taking both World and US History (I also found the practice tests really easy). But which ones after that? I would probably be good at the Biology test so maybe that… The difficulty I’m facing is that I might take Literature or Math Level 2, but I worry about how well I’ll do on them. I thought literature was a little harder, but the Math 2 I found unrealistic for myself do well on without some good ol’ studying.

Do colleges view certain subjects tests as superior (And thus give greater weight and credibility to them) than others???
If so, which ones? Should I take them and put effort into doing well on them?

I think it is best to have variety. I don’t know that you really need 2 history. The science one is good. Math 2 is important if you are going something on the engineering math area, but you can take math 1 for anything else if you want. Lit is a bit hard to get a high percentile iirc. fyi there is are test forums here.

Normally students take Math 2 and another topic like US History. If you are taking APs try to take the related Subject test if there is one. Definitely Math and oddly the Math 2 is more widely respected and it’s easier to get a good score

Consider hitting the ACTs instead? What if you knock it out of the ball park here? Are you applying to some schools that absolutely require SAT2s?

IF you decide to do any kind of ivy, you need math II. Study for it. Son said all the histories were quite easy and he got like 780/790 on the ones he took. He did not study for them, but he loves the subject, so not difficult for him. You should take MathII and one other subject you are confident you will do really well in. Bio is good too. @W is right, Lit is not necessary.

I probably should have also mentioned that I’m taking the ACT, if that matters.

Incorrect. There isn’t a single college in the Ivy League that requires Math Level 2.

Incorrect. Penn Wharton * strongly encourages* Math II. Penn SEAS * strongly encourages* Math II. Cornell College of Engineering requires a subject test in math, * recommending* Math II. etc. etc.

This recommendations/encouragements basically mean requirements.

Assuming you score well, taking the SAT Subject tests is pointless, IMO.

I don’t plan on attending an engineering or business school, should I still prioritize Math Level 2?

Well, if you’re planning on majoring in history and therefore not applying to an engineering school (cough cough) you are not “strongly recommended” to take math II. So take what you want to take.

Unless you are applying to a specific program or the school has specified it, the subjects for SAT2 score are not really important. Most people would just pick what they can score the best and preferably in 2 different cores. What is usually recommended is to see which AP class you are currently taking which may get you at least half way prepared for that subject test. Math is the only exception that you do not really need a current AP class. All you need is pre-calc for Math2 otherwise Math1.

For those interested - Princeton requires 2 sat ii’s regardless of whether one takes the ACT. Certain subjects are recommended if applying for engineering (math 2, physics).

Firstly, don’t take the SAT Subject tests unless you absolutely have to. (Requirement/strong recommendation)

However, if you do want to put yourself through that, definitely take one history test. Doesn’t really matter which one. The second one can be your choice. Math II, a science, literature…whatever! Math II is a strong contender and highly respected at schools so whether or not you go into a STEM field, having the Math II under your belt shows you can handle that upper level math.

Literature was very easy - similar to the reading section of the SAT I. Biology was pretty easy, too. I took the test a year after taking my biology class and score a 750. (I know this isn’t great for a bio SAT II, but I felt pretty good about it considering how long ago I had taken the class.) Spanish wan’t bad, either, if you’ve done foreign language in high school.

Just a warning - Spanish SAT II’s have a pretty harsh curve because of all the native speakers that take them.

If you think you’ll do well on the history tests, take them; if you would like to show breadth of interest, you could take Bio. I wouldn’t take MathII unless you feel strong in it, since you’re not interested in engineering. One thing to keep in mind: some schools say they’ll only look at your highest two (e.g., Dartmouth), which can work against you if you take two history tests and one non-history for balance. This is my son’s situation: USH, 800, World, 800, Chem 780; the chem score won’t matter, supposedly, so much for balance. Might do better to choose one history and one non. Basically, I think good SATIIs can only help, as long as they don’t keep you from doing other important stuff.