Should I submit one SAT Subject score or study to submit two?

Test Preparation
1

Hey everyone,
I am an international student from Canada looking to apply to a few American schools for the 2019-2020 season. I am predicted a 43/45 in IB and got a 36/36 on ACT in April 2019. I’ll probably be applying to Dartmouth early and if not accepted then Cornell.

Unfortunately I have just heard about the SAT Subject tests. Both my target schools “recommend” two, and apparently they calculate an academic index out of 240 using GPA, SAT/ACT, and two SAT subject scores. I take IB Math HL and got 800 on a practice Math II with plenty of room to spare. But I’ve struggled to find a second SAT subject test; I got 690 on a practice Literature test and 710 on a practice physics, despite taking both subjects in IB. The thing with IB physics is that it’s a two-year program, so I simply didn’t know half the material while I was doing the practice test; I could probably spend the last month of my summer learning the other half and dramatically improve my score for the October 2019 test date.

I’m not sure if doing so is really worth the effort though. I still have to write my college essays, finish my EE and IAs for IB, write some MUN backgrounders, plus I could just stay in Canada. So many colleges are dropping their requirements for SAT Subjects, I am questioning their importance. If you were in my position, would you study for the Physics SAT II, or would you just submit a 36 ACT + an 800 (hopefully!) math II? Does anybody know how the academic index would be calculated with just one subject score?

So sorry for the long post and I would be grateful for any advice.

2

The academic index (AI) is only used for athletic recruits…many of them don’t have subject test scores so the ACT/SAT score is doubled…but none of that applies to you.

That said, Dartmouth recommends two subject tests and certain schools at Cornell require them, others recommend them…as an international student with long odds I would encourage you to take two tests. Many subject tests don’t match up exactly with AP curriculums so I expect the same is true of IB. Have you used subject test review books to prepare? I would probably stick with physics and learn the extra material, but could chem or bio work? Can you work with a tutor?
https://admissions.cornell.edu/standardized-testing-requirements
https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/glossary-term/sat-subject-tests

3

Yeah unfortunately SAT II Physics, English Literature, French, and Math are the only ones that match up directly with an IB subject I am taking. I guess if I am in any way serious about going to a competitive US school I should get off my ass and at least take Physics. I have never used a tutor in my life but I’ll be sure to work through some .pdf prep books I found online to the best of my ability.

Thanks so much for the response!

4

Good luck OP, you are highly capable and I am sure you will succeed if you put in the effort.

5

Take a look at the other subject tests, starting with English- having the 2 is more important than what subjects they are, even if you are applying as a potential STEM major (and at Dartmouth you are only applying as a potential major).