<p>My D & I don't know how to decide which subject tests are best for her to take.</p>
<p>She'll take History & English Language, but for her 3rd test, she could take either a foreign language subject test on which she would probably score very high OR one of the math subject tests.</p>
<p>We're thinking math is better for the colleges to see, but also think that the score won't be as high as the foreign language score since she doesn't test as high in math as she does in other subjects. </p>
<p>If she takes the Math Subject Test, how does she decide whether to take Math 1 or Math 2? She's finishing up Calculus this year & her SAT Math score was 700.</p>
<p>She will need to study precalcus math for the math test, trust me on this based on my son. She should take the higher level math test once she reviews, she can do well if she's good enough for calculus now. She can take all of the tests in 2 sessions, giving her time to study more for each one. Unlike the SAT I, these are knowledge based and studying will help.</p>
<p>Taking the math might show more well-roundedness. Agree with wis that she should take Math 2 since she's advanced enough and it has a more forgiving curve.</p>
<p>It's not that easy to score well in foreign language tests because there are often native speakers taking the test as well, so the curve can be quite harsh.</p>
<p>Everyone told my d, who did well in pre-calc her junior year, to take the Math II test. They said that she'd likely be well prepared, and the curve for Math II was more generous. She wouldn't hear of it; she didn't like math well enough. So she took the Math I and did well enough.</p>
<p>Let your d know the options, and let her choose.</p>
<p>And remember..there is no English Language Subject Test, only Literature. DO any of the schools your D is applying to require 3 tests? if not, 2 is sufficient. She should also see if any require specific tests (math, science etc), and if not, take the tests she thinks she will score highest in. AT some colleges a high score on a foreign language test with listening will get you out of some or all of a foreign language requirement. A little advance research can make things clearer.</p>
<p>As other posters have written, it is important to check the requirements of each school. Very few schools insists on three Subject Tests. </p>
<p>As far as picking the right one, one should not do this without acquiring the College Board book and checking **each **test. The tests are very rarely covered well in high school and the misinformation is rampant. Foreign languages are hit or misses, ranging from the asinine test such as Chinese or Korean (they test a third-grade native level) to very hard. The effort/reward for language test is not very high, except at schools that only care for the results without putting in context. Otherwise, a perfect score on a foreign language by a native speaker is as valuable as the TOEFL for american students.</p>
<p>I was going to post a similar question. I'd never heard of SAT Subject Tests before lurking on cc. Thanks, cc -- I think.</p>
<p>S is finishing up pre-Cal. He plans to major in the sciences. Next year, he'll take Cal AB. Should he take Math I this year, or wait after Cal AB. He's making a low A in pre-Cal this year.</p>
<p>Yes, do check which tests, and how many tests EACH college/university requires. Back in the day College A required English, Foreign Language, and Math, while University B required English, Math, and a Science. Considering the glacial pace at which most colleges and universities move, I'm guessing that they still ask for different things, even thirty-plus years later.</p>
<p>YDS,
He should take the Math2 in the spring that he takes precalc (now). IMO he shouldn't bother with the Math1, particularly since he is interested in science. There's no reason to wait a year as the Math2 does not cover material in calc.</p>
<p>If you have time for this, buy the Kaplan SAT II book (the real tests), and see how your kid scores on different tests.</p>
<p>As a general rule, Math 2 is a better choice for anyone remotely good at math on pre-calc level. </p>
<p>Most schools do not care which scores are submitted. Stanford asks specifically for Math 2. Some, I think, want one to be math or science, and one humanities/so sci.</p>
<p>Language tests are hard to score high on for non-native speakers. Depending on the school, they might be worth taking in the spring of senior year (after application process is over) for schools that will let you satisfy foreign lang requirement with high SAT II score (like Stanford).</p>
<p>@ xiggi: I should think being bilingual would be valuable rather it was learned at home or in school.</p>
<p>And besides, for a non-phonetic language being a "speaker" and being a "reader/writer" are VERY different things. I can't believe somebody would dismiss it as "as valuable as the TOEFL for American students." Do you know how hard it is to retain a language as different as Korean or Chinese is from English after moving here at a young age/being born here? My first language is Chinese and I've struggled for years to get my literacy up to a "third grade level"... whereas I'm in my third year of Spanish at school and can already write essays. There might be a reason for the discrepancy in grade level on the SAT II tests, imo.</p>
<p>Many engineering schools want Math2 not Math1. If you're any good at math, it's just as easy. One might want to take a language test at the end of senior year if you are going to attend a school with a language requirement.</p>
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@ xiggi: I should think being bilingual would be valuable rather it was learned at home or in school.
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<p>Keshira, I am not sure I can understand your argument here. If you think I was dismissing the value of speaking more than one language, I'd suggest you read my post again. </p>
<p>On the other hand, reagrding my point about the value of tests such as the Chinese and Korean Subject Tests, I maintain that the current situation borders the rididiculous. The SAT Subject Tests are supposed to measure a level of knowledge a high schooler should be able to handle. The Asian language tests are far from accomplishing that, as they are mostly impossible for non-native speakers who may have had 1-3 years of instruction in the language, and ridiculously easy for native speakers. All you need to do is check the distributions of the scores to understand this point. </p>
<p>As far as the analogy, it would similar to accept the scores of American students on the TOEFL as a replacement for the English Lit test or even the SAT Verbal portion of the SAT Reasoning Test. </p>
<p>This is why the value of a perfect score on the Asian Language tests by persons identified as a native speaker is greatly dismissed -- except for the notable exception of a state system known for the ineptitude and lack of integrity of its requirements.</p>
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The Asian language tests are far from accomplishing that, as they are mostly impossible for non-native speakers who may have had 1-3 years of instruction in the language, and ridiculously easy for native speakers. All you need to do is check the distributions of the scores to understand this point.
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This is why the value of a perfect score on the Asian Language tests by persons identified as a native speaker is greatly dismissed
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<p>I'm saying they shouldn't be. Chinese is ridiculously hard to learn to write. It's very difficult for native speakers to memorize every single character, unlike say, Spanish, where you simply have to learn to spell. The reason that the score distributions are the way they are is because the native speakers who take the test attend Saturday schools specifically aimed at learning to read and write year round or are drilled/taught at home for hours every week... they're literate because they put in a TON of work. And that may artificially make perfect scores seem a lot easier than they actually are to achieve, because most people don't put in half that much effort into their foreign language. </p>
<p>So I guess what I was trying to say is that, unlike with European languages, being a native speaker in an Asian language is NOT the same thing as being a native writer, nor does it translate easily. And... I'll stop hijacking this thread with my tangent now... ^^</p>
<p>Thank you all so much. Your comments are quite helpful. </p>
<p>Based on your comments, my D has decided not to do the foreign language, & is leaning toward Math 1 because it's been a year since she took Pre-Calc & Math 2 seems to be primarily related to Pre-Calc. Since she'd need to study & review pre-calc, & has to take the subject tests this Saturday, she thinks she should take the Math 1 since she's heard that it's simliar to the SAT Math (is that true, do you all know?).</p>
<p>Her hope is to go to a LAC, and she doesn't plan on studying science, math or engineering (she's open to a variety of liberal arts-type majors). Do you all think she'd be okay taking the Math 1? </p>