SAT vs SAT subject tests

Test Preparation
1

<p>which one do colleges usually place more emphasis on? do perfect SAT I scores weigh more than perfect subject test scores?</p>

2

<p>SAT I scores are typically more useful since the SAT I always tests on the same three sections: critical reading, math, and writing, whereas the subject tests test more specific fields of study. The subject tests are only required by a few schools, with several schools recommending them but not requiring them.</p>

3

<p>It depends on what colleges you’re thinking about. Coastal colleges place more emphasis on the SAT in general over the ACT. All colleges want to see at least an ACT score or an SAT score no matter which way you flip it. About SAT Subject Tests, only really selective/prestigious places or schools with engineering programs care about SAT Subject Tests. In that case, colleges actually want to see strengths in both SAT and SAT Subject tests, since they consider both a package deal.</p>

<p>What I mean by that is some colleges allow you to choose. </p>

<ul>
<li>SAT only</li>
<li>ACT w/Writing only</li>
<li>SAT w/SAT Subject tests.</li>
</ul>

<p>SAT I scores are more important than SAT Subject tests if you pit them against each other. But keep in mind that the SAT Subject Tests are not as prevalent or widely required/recommended as the SAT I is. </p>

4

<p>I say SAT I scores are more heavily considered. If you score 2200+ on the SAT, you might want to take a few subject tests. You WILL need to take the Math II and a science SAT for some colleges if you want to go to their engineering programs. </p>

5

<p>First be aware that the majority of colleges do not require subject tests and will not even consider them if submitted. Only 25 colleges require them and 14 of those accept the ACT in lieu of both the SAT and subject tests, and now one of those remaining 11, Harvard, has itself gone subject test optional (although that is designed for lower income applicants who cannot afford the tests or attend high schools that do not make its students aware of the issue). Some other colleges recommend subject tests and still others neither require nor recommend them but will give them some consideration if submitted.</p>

<p>For a list of colleges that require, recommend or consider subject tests, go here: <a href=“SAT Subject Test Requirements and Recommendations - Compass Education Group”>SAT Subject Test Requirements and Recommendations - Compass Education Group; You should assume those in the recommend or consider column consider the basic SAT or ACT to be the more important test. As to the required list, you should not look at it as which is more important but rather that all the tests are important and under a full file review process the degree of importance likely depends on the individual applicant, e.g., if you otherwise have a high GPA but only a B- in chemistry, an 800 SAT chemistry score may take on more importance for you than it would for another.</p>

6

<p>

These statements can be misleading. A significant percentage of selective colleges (the ones that many students dream of attending) either require or recommend that applicants submit at least 2 Subject test scores. (For home-schooled applicants, colleges may also specify additional Subject test requirements to demonstrate proficiency in various disciplines.) Check the admissions webpages for each specific school for details.</p>

<p>For those who want to view a shortened list of the colleges in question…
**<em>**Starred schools accept the ACT+Writing in lieu of the SAT+Subject tests.
#Georgetown requires 3 Subject test scores.
[ul][li]Schools that require 2 Subject test scores: Amherst</em>, Barnard<em>, Brown</em>, CalTech, Carnegie Mellon, Columbia<em>, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke</em>, Harvey Mudd, Haverford<em>, MIT, Pomona</em>, Princeton, Rice<em>, Swarthmore</em>, Tufts<em>, UPenn</em>, Vassar<em>, Wellesley</em>, Williams, Yale<em>.[/li][</em>]Schools that recommend Subject test scores: Carleton, Emory, GW, Georgetown#, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, Stanford, USC, UVa.
[li]All of the UCs will consider Subject test scores. UCs used to require Subject test scores but in recent years the UC Admissions Committees revised the policy.[/ul]</p>[/li]
<p>Footnote: As other posters have mentioned, a fair number of strong engineering programs specify Subject test requirements.</p>

7

<p>@Bartleby007‌ is Georgetown in the wrong section? You have it requiring 3 subject tests and in the recommended section…</p>

8

<p>

Technically, it’s in the correct section, although Georgetown definitely words it to imply that not having the subject tests would be detrimental to the application.

<a href=“http://uadmissions.georgetown.edu/firstyear/preparation”>http://uadmissions.georgetown.edu/firstyear/preparation&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

9

<p>SAT I is by far more important. That’s the primary comparison across all applicants. You don’t want the scores to differ too much (800 math SAT I, 600 math SAT II) but much better to get great SAT I scores and ok SAT II scores.</p>

10

<p>thanks everyone! I guess the general consensus is that more emphasis is placed on SAT I</p>

11

<p>I’ll offer a dissenting opinion.</p>

<p>I read a post on Quora that said the SAT II tests were ten times more important than the SAT I because they measure achievement rather than aptitude. The poster was an MIT interviewer, and while Quora is not the most reliable source in the world, it seems wise to aim for 700+ on SAT II tests if you are applying to top colleges that require them.</p>