Should I be taking the Biology M or Chemistry SAT II under these circumstances?

Test Preparation SAT Subject Test Preparation
1

Hello, I’ve been a long time lurker for this website, but I haven’t been able to get this question answered in real life, so I made an account. This is my first post, so I’m sorta nervous. Anyways, the college I want to go to says that in terms of subject tests they “Recommend a science SAT II, preferably Chemistry.” This coupled with the fact that I’m currently taking Chemistry is making me lean towards that one. However, the chemistry class I am is neither AP nor Honors, and my school uses project based learning, which means I might not have as much knowledge as I need. I’m also currently having trouble with Stoichiometry, which makes up 14% of the test. In terms of Biology, despite having not taken it since Freshman year (I’m a junior), I know someone who could help tutor me. The biology test is also less logic/math based and more about knowing facts.I would personally prefer going this route. The Biology M test seems closer to Chemistry than the Biology E test, which is why I chose it.

I’ll use a a macaroni analogy to help explain, and because I like analogies. The college wants macaroni, they would like it if I put cheddar cheese on it, and would prefer it to be sharp cheddar but won’t hold it against me if I give them plain macaroni. If I end up taking the Biology test, I would end up giving the college mild cheddar rather than sharp cheddar. I couple people told me that doing that would be fine, but I would like a professional opinion from you guys. By the by, this won’t be the only SAT II I take, just the only STEM one.

Thanks a whole bunch for reading this! I hope to not be perceive in a particular way because of this, but nevertheless, feel free to ask any clarifying questions if that would be helpful. Happy new year!

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A lot of people self-study for the tests without taking the course. In your situation I would get a prep book that has a practice test for both subjects, take the practice tests under test-like conditions (time yourself, make sure you’re not interrupted and it’s quiet), see what subject you score best on. Look at the questions you missed on the practice test and figure out how to answer them properly and why you missed them. If you score equally, maybe do both tests?

3

Agree with @ninakatarina except for the last bit about both tests. I think you should only take 1 science and then take either (1) math 2 or (2) English or history. Pro for taking the math 2 is that some colleges require it - you should look at the list of colleges you’re thinking about and see if any of them require it. Pro for taking English or history is that it shows you have strength in another part of your brain. I didn’t suggest taking the test for languages because I’ve heard, particularly for the Spanish exam, that so many native speakers take it that it is hard for a non-native speaker to do well on it. The only school that I know of that requires 3 SAT subject tests is Georgetown.