I am reading about reporting scores and wanted to ask advice on this:
D is a sophomore and is just finishing up with her chemistry class. She mentioned wanting to take the chemistry subject test on June 2nd because some of the schools that she might like to apply to require and/or recommend 1-3 tests. She has spent the last month with her regular school work and preparing for a couple of AP exams, and hasn’t prepared at all for the SAT subject test.
So, with this test being only 2 weeks away, I’m not sure if that is enough time for her to adequately prepare. She is willing to put in the time over the next 2 weeks as she prepares simultaneously for her school chemistry final this week. (She has an A in Chemistry now, but it is honors, not AP.) Last night, she asked me if I would take her to Barnes and Noble today to pick up the Barron’s book (which we’ll do later.)
My understanding is that she can take the SAT subject tests more than once and choose not to report all scores. However, some schools may request all scores. Would you advise her to take it now while the chemistry knowledge is fresh (despite not much time to prepare) or wait until she can prepare more? If she takes it, I assume she can choose not to send the scores anywhere for now and then choose whether or not to send them.
With the exception of Georgetown and Cornell, no college requires all Subject Test scores.
Only she knows her level of preparedness. But let’s be real - when will she be more prepared? In August when her brain had turn to mush over the summer? Next year, when she’s trying to learn physics and prepare for SATs?
Hovestly, at the end of the school year, when she’s preparing for finals (I assume) is the best time to take. More than 2 weeks to review is too much IMO. I’d suggest taking the test and evaluating options when the score comes in - either move on, retake, or take a different Subject Test.
Now is the time to take it. What she should do is find time to take a practice test in the subject and see what she does or does not know. Neither of my kids took the chem subject test, but younger son took bio after AP Bio - he actually took both the M and E versions (he’d miscalculated about taking math) and got the same score both times. They were doing lots of review for the AP test in class and he did very little extra studying. Older son took the practice test for physics while he was doing AP physics C and saw right away that there were topics he was going to have to review since he hadn’t seen them since his freshman year physics course.
Next year, when she’s trying to learn physics and prepare for SATs?