Should I take the Math II test?

<p>So, my school, for some reason, ends very close at the end of June, almost the beginning of July. I was planning to take the MathII test at the beginning of June because I have Precalculus second semester. But, I do not know if I'll learn valuable information needed for the subject test in the TWO AND A HALF week gap between the subject test and the end of school. Should I take it in June, risking that I might not know all of the information on the the test, or should I just wait until the year after but risk forgetting the information? </p>

<p>Or, can I go either way and just review with a prep book?</p>

<p>Nah, you’ll be fine. Worst case scenario you have to learn a section of information from Barron’s.</p>

<p>I’m assuming you’re a junior, bluewind. Otherwise, you’d likely be done with all your testing already.</p>

<p>My son was in the same boat. He’s a junior. He hasn’t even begun pre-cal yet. Will start it the 3rd week of January. For that reason, he opted for the Math I test. He took in on Dec 5. Got a 780. He figures there will be plenty of time to take the Math II test towards the end of pre-cal (June 5) if he feels like it. Or he can take it in the fall of senior year and still have time to send his scores to colleges. Or, he can opt to not take Math II at all. Most colleges who want subject tests say they’ll accept either one. Admissions will have your transcripts and can see when you’ve had pre-cal and how the timing worked if they’re curious. But I actually believe them when they say they’ll accept either score, I or II. As everybody says, the Math I curve is actually more difficult, which kind of evens the playing field for the two tests – so a great score on Math I is a great score, period.</p>

<p>I’m a sophomore and I’m taking Math II. I know of some freshmen who have also taken it. You’d be surprised… some kids take Calc BC in like 10th grade.</p>

<p>@Carin,
I’m not surprised at all – that some kids take Calc BC in grade 10. However, there are lots of schools across the country that won’t allow kids to take Calc BC that early. The kids have to go through the school’s progression, and Calc comes later on. The OP hasn’t had pre-cal yet, so I was addressing his/her question.</p>

<p>I’m just suspecting that the reason colleges say submit math I OR math II scores is that they’re allowing for the different math sequences in different schools. That levels the playing field for circumstances that are beyond the applicants’ control. Colleges will know which math sequence you had and which math sequence your school requires or offers. They’ll put two and two together.</p>

<p>@ Bluewind:</p>

<p>I would just take the Math II test. I’m currently in PreCalculus (which is finishing up at the end of this January), but I’ve already taken the Math II test this December and got an 800. So I had a two-month gap between the end of the course and the time I took the test… It’s not hard at all (in my opinion) and you would need a prep book anyway just to make sure you know all of the topics.</p>

<p>So…yup. I would take the test in June and review the week beforehand.</p>

<p>I took the May test when I was in precalc (the class ended in June). I did a little self-study from Princeton Review/Barrons, but it was really no problem. I got a 760. I wouldn’t worry about it; definitely take it in June!</p>