<p>Okay, so I'm a freshman and am taking an honors world history class this year. It's pretty standard-- covers what I'd guess is an average amount of material but doesn't go really in depth on anything. I'm not sure how hard the SAT II is for World History and how high the curve is, and I'm wondering whether or not I should take it at the end of the year. Is the test designed more for people who've taken the AP class, or could I get a good score (700+) with enough studying? The schools I'd like to go all require two or three subject tests, but I'll have taken nine classes that there are tests for by the end of junior year-- I'll definitely get at least three even if I skip out on the World History. So... should I just not take World History and wait to take tests later on, when I've taken AP's in those subjects, or should I go ahead and take it? [I really want to go to a top school-- I'm one of the millions dreaming of Harvard-- and don't want a 500 or something sitting on my record. :/ ] I mean, I really doubt that I'd bomb it or anything-- I'd put as much time into studying for it as possible, and kinda am naturally good on standardized tests-- but I don't really want to take it if I'd get below a 650. So... yes or no? Thanks. :)</p>
<p>I haven't taken it yet, but I heard that it is a difficult test. Personally, I'd advise taking USH if you plan to take any history tests, but it's really up to you. It's still possible to do well on world history, just not too easy.</p>
<p>I got an 800 on the world history SAT II. The test is much easier if you have taken AP World History. A lot of the SAT II exams feel as if they are really just the multiple guess section from the AP exam itself. </p>
<p>If history is your strong subject, go out and buy Barron's AP World (NOT the SAT II version - it sucks) and go study it along with your history class. Take a few practice tests and see where you stand. My freshman WH class would in no way have prepared me for the SAT II...but that's just my school. </p>
<p>If you can get an SAT II out of the way now, then go ahead. I also believe the collegeboard is now allowing you to choose which scores to send; however, there are loop holes as some colleges can opt out and require all scores...generally the harder places.</p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>dont be scared.</p>
<p>take it but be sure to get the Barrons World history studyguide... the SAT 2 version is fine, i used it and got 800!</p>
<p>Okay, thanks! I think I'll take it this year... I mean, I'll have to study a lot, obviously, but the Barron's guide sounds good, and hopefully with that I can get a good score. Thanks!</p>
<p>I took it and got 710. I am not from U.S. so I didn't have any classes that you guys have. But I would say that Kaplan + pictures from Barrons were enough for me. Especially if you know general trends and ideas, you are more likely to do good on the tests. USH is harder for me (personally), as it has a lot of details due to short time span</p>
<p>I found sparknotes' book to be pretty good also.</p>
<p>Buy AP BARRONS. STUDY IT.</p>
<p>I'd say don't take it.
I took it after AP History. Got a 5 on the AP, 720 on the SAT II. A couple of my friends took it too & we all got around the 700-760 range, but we all agreed (a) we didn't have to take it (b) we probably shouldn't have taken it & (c) the SAT II was harder than the AP exam =|
I studied Princeton Review's AP World History book & the SAT II book. The SAT II book wasn't that great, imo.</p>
<p>I strongly disagree with sylvanna, but in the end it depends on how well you retain information and apply it in a modified form.</p>
<p>10 days of intensive preparation with barrons is enough, even though I never had a worldhistory class before, trust me its doable!</p>
<p>and the prinction review guides really suck at history, it basically tells you nothing...</p>
<p>^ Absolutely agree, PR for History is NOTHING. They give you random things from here and there, and you don't get anything. Kaplan + parts of Barrons = optimal 700+</p>
<p>Well, I'm pretty strong in history, so I guess I'll take some practice tests and see how I do. Is the College Board guide for it any good, or just Barron's and Kaplan?</p>
<p>There's a college board guide for world history? I thought they don't publish any study guides outside of the SAT I one. </p>
<p>Anyway, I got a 800 after taking the AP course and getting a 5. I would NOT use the Barron's SAT II book to prepare. It is riddled with errors that would confuse all but the most astute students (used 2008 version). I would NOT take the SAT II as it seems that you will have many more opportunities to take SAT IIs and if you want the highest scores possible, you obviously want the most extensive preparation, and that involves taking an AP course as well as self-studying.</p>
<p>Yeah, the College Board guide is combined for US and World. </p>
<p>I mean, trying out the practice tests is definitely not going to hurt, so I'll probably do that. If I totally bomb them, then forget it, but if I do half-decent... well, I'll see. :)</p>
<p>@xxEMMABEE: Are you talking about the book of tests? I don't think it has any review material though I could definitely be wrong.</p>
<p>if you are interested in history i suggest that you take it.
for the simple reason that the curve is ridculously easy. for my test i thought of givng up after just 20 questions, but decided to persist with the other 75 questions and i got 760.
(also, i haven't taken history since 9th grade and had prom + r'shp problems 2 days before the test)
i can't speak for the other books, but all i read was kaplan's and i thought it was sufficient :D</p>
<p>That's encouraging. :) Guess I'll look into Kaplan's too.</p>
<p>I have no clue about the CollegeBoard one: it's The Official SAT Subject Tests in U.S. and World History Study Guide and says it has 4 practice tests plus "test-taking approaches and strategies and scoring instructions." Doesn't sound like a true "guide."</p>
<p>get barrons!</p>