SAT Subjects Choices

Test Preparation
1

<p>I've taken the physics and math II subjects tests - I did horribly on physics and 'meh' on math II, so I'm retaking both this fall. I'm looking for a third test to take and I was wondering if anyone could suggest the best one for me...</p>

<p>At first I was going to take the Spanish with listening because it's always been a strong subject for me, but I feel like it's not the best one to show off to a college. I may be wrong - I've been looking at forums, and I haven't seen anything to make me think this - but I just feel like it would be better to show my skill in another subject. Now I've been looking at lit...I know it's really difficult, so I'm borrowing an sat book from the library to look at it. I guess it's really pointless for me to be asking this question when none of you know my skills, but I thought I'd try. One issue for me is the test dates....I want to apply to a UPenn early decision and November is the last possible date to take tests. If I take Spanish with listening, obviously I will need to take my tests in November, and I DEFINITELY need to retake physics and math II, so I'm just afraid of any unforeseen circumstances that could delay my scores and hurt my chances for ED. I also want to retake the SAT I, and with only two testing dates before ED applications are due I obviously can't split up my subject tests. If I take the lit test, I would take the subjects in October and SAT I in November because I'm a bit more satisfied with my SAT I score and willing to risk that. Otherwise, I would take my SAT I in October and my badly-needed retakes and Spanish tests in November.</p>

<p>I'm probably freaking out much more than I need to for the testing dates, so any advice on Spanish vs Lit? Is Spanish worth it? Is Lit too hard? I took AP Lang & Comp and usually did very well on the multiple choice, and I got 770 on my first CR SAT (though I know CR is much easier than lit). As for Spanish, I received high scores (or at least high percentiles) on the National Spanish Exam the last two years, and I'm usually the best in the class, but I'm nowhere near fluent.</p>

<p>Thanks for your help!</p>

2

<p>I would recommend taking Lit. I believe it is more weighted than Spanish. Also, you don’t have to get a perfect score. 730 on lit would suffice. Hopefully, we’ll meet in Penn! haha. I’m applying ED as well this fall.</p>

3

<p>I thought Lit wasn’t too hard. I got a 730 on it, and my highest CR score on the SAT I’s was only a 710. I took AP Lang and Comp too and did well on that, but still, it seems like you’re good at reading, so I would say go for it. What I found was that sometimes the passages would be pretty confusing or would need to be read a few times, but the questions are all pretty straightforward.</p>

4

<p>Take a practice test for both and consider which one you think you can improve on the most. I haven’t heard of any solid resources for the Spanish test, but I’ve heard Barron’s and Kaplan have good books for literature. I’m going to be taking Math II and Literature, and I’m a bit worried for Lit, since I’ve heard that it’s pretty difficult and focuses on old poems and antiquated literature (or something like that). If only we all took AP Lit earlier. D;</p>

5

<p>Thanks for all your help!</p>

<p>AznCo0Co0 - hopefully we will! haha</p>