Subject Tests: Which Ones To Give?

Test Preparation SAT Subject Test Preparation
1

Hello! I am from New Delhi, India currently studying in Class 10. I had some questions about SAT Subject Tests. I want to choose between the following (one will be Subject Test in Math Level 2): US History, World History, French, Physics.
P.S. I will most likely NOT be studying any sciences in Classes 11 and 12. My intended major is Economics or Finance. I will graduate from high school in 2020.

Q1. Can I give 3 Subject Tests or will colleges look upon that as time improperly utilised? (Subject Tests take place 5 times a year in India)
Q2. Since getting a good score in US History is harder, is it better to give World History? Or will giving a Subject Test in US History and getting 730+ show a higher level of interest in American culture and be more beneficial than say, getting an 800 in World History?
Q3. Since I would not be taking any Sciences in Class 11, would it look better on my college application if I went beyond the school curriculum to give SAT Physics? (I have an aptitude for Astrophysics and most of the SAT Physics Syllabus is covered under what Indians are taught up till grade 10)
Q4. Since a lot of Indians don’t give French Subject Test, would giving that help me stand out from the rest of the Indian applicants? Or would it better to give US History/World History/Physics?

One of the Subject Tests I give will be definitely Math Level 2. Since some colleges require 2 Subject Test scores to be submitted, I was confused about which one to take. So kindly let me know if giving 3 is significantly better than giving 2. If so, can you kindly recommend which ones to take? If not, kindly recommend the 2 that I should give, please.

P.S. I’m open to taking 4 tests but I feel that would be overdoing it. If I’m wrong please correct me. Also, if any APs can substitute for any additional Subject Tests (beyond 2), kindly recommend those as well.

Thank You!

2
  1. 3 instead of 2 is fine. If the college only asks for 2 though, they will just look at the highest 2.
  2. An 800 is better than a 730, regardless of subject.
  3. Unless the college specifies a subject, you are free to choose your own. Choose the one that you will score higher on. Colleges are not looking for your Subject Tests to show breadth/range, etc. Don't try to read between the lines; if they want something specific, they will say so.
  4. No. A variation of Q3.

    For admissions purposes, 4 is excessive; No college will be impressed by extra scores. Now if you want to use French as your 3rd or 4th test solely to potentially use to exempt yourself from the college’s foreign language graduation requirement, that’s fine. However, all colleges will offer free tests which will serve the same purpose.

    For US colleges, APs are not used in lieu of Subject Tests for admissions purposes.

3

If you’re stuck between US and World History, just stick the one that you know the most about. It will give you a good foundation and save you lots of time. As skieurope said above, colleges won’t think you’re not challenging yourself enough or something if you take the World one! :smiley: Make this easier on you, because it won’t matter to them.