Subject Tests

Applying to College
1

I’m a rising high school senior, and I want to be an engineering student. Most serious engineering schools pretty much require a math and science subject test, and I am taking a the Math 2 and Physics test this fall. However, I am also very good at reading and U.S. history (I got a 740 SAT Reading and 5 on AP U.S. History test without studying for either/ I took AP English III and AP U.S. History II last year, taking AP English IV this year) and think I can do well on the English and U.S. History subject tests if I study.

My question is is it beneficial for me to take the English and/or U.S. History test in addition to the Physics and Math 2 tests. Would it increase my chances of being accepted at the schools I want to apply to (UVA, MIT, Princeton, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, UMD, Michigan State, VA Tech, Rutgers, Drexel) if I took those additional subject tests even though they are unrelated to STEM?

I’ve never heard this mentioned by anyone at my school or the colleges I’ve visited.

Thanks.

2

Taking more than required will not benefit you in any way in the admissions process. Colleges that request/require subject tests will generally just look at your top 2.

3

If the school only recommends or requires two having more would not give you much extra. However, taking a third subject test in the same sitting is most cost efficient if you want to. Just take Math2 and the science first than do one of the other two. If the school does not specify which subjects, they will look for the best scores.