I am a junior and was planning to take the SAT subject test in Chemistry and Math level 2 this May.
I am already taking AP chem so I will be studying for the AP test already this month. Additionally, I have been studying for the SAT as well for a while and plan to take it in June.
My question is, is there anything specifically I should do for these subject tests if I am basically already studying for them? Like do i need to buy a specific math level 2 and chem sat prep book as well? Or are they basically the same as the SAT math and AP chem exam?
Currently don’t know anything about studying for the SAT tests separately so the most I plan to do for them specifically is take max 1 SAT subject practice test.
I would. The subject tests deduct for wrong answers so you need to know how difficult they will be. The best way to find that out is to purchase the prep materials either from College Board or Amazon or local bookstore or wherever.
D prepped for Math 2 and got a 740 which was sufficient for the program she was planning to enter. She also prepped for US History and took the subject test the day after her APUSH exam. According to her, they are just different tests and the subject test was significantly more difficult. She got a 5 on APUSH but only a 760 (85th?) on the subject test. Knowing College Board, they are totally hoping that the chem kids don’t study for the subject test - if they are planning to hose you, it’s best to be prepared. If you look over the questions, decide it’ll be a breeze, at least you’ll know.
Definitely do some prep. My D took both Math 2 and Chemistry, and she said that there were subjects on Math 2 that she had either forgotten about or never learned, so was glad that she did a fair amount of prep beforehand. My D also took AP Chem and she said that the SAT 2 was completely different from what they were learning in AP Chem. Even with studying, she only pulled off a 720 on the Chem SAT. I also agree with JBStillFlying about US History. D also took US History the day after the AP exam, and said it was really hard - she got a 5 on the AP exam but only a 680 on the SAT(without studying). My son is taking Math 2 and Physics this year, and I heard that the Physics SAT is also completely different from the AP test. He will spend the month after the AP learning the subjects for the SAT and then take the subject tests in June. It all seems like kind of a waste of energy, but many colleges continue to require them.
Study them separately as they will cover different materials and have a varying degree of difficulty.