Three SAT Subject Test Questions - Thank you for your guidance!

Parents Forum
1

Some SAT Subject Test Questions for the knowledgeable parents of CC:

  1. D is thinking about taking three Subject Tests in May. Is this too many for one sitting?
  2. Since you apparently can decide on test day how many you want to take, does that mean I should pay for one test only and then they will bill me for the remainder once she decides?
  3. When do you actually have to decide if you want to move forward for test numbers 2 and 3? I phoned College Board and they said she has to inform the proctor before she starts the first one, but another parent told me they can actually decide if they want to keep going after each test. Which is correct?

Thank you!!

2
  1. Most people seem to think 2 is the max, but of course it all depends.
  2. Sounds like a good idea if you can do it. IIRC, the student can also decide on the day which tests to take and in what order. If so, prioritizing would be a good idea.
  3. I don’t know, but I had the impression it was the latter.
3

Not a parent but…

1/ It depends. For some 2 might be the max; others are able to handle 3. It also depends, in part, on the subject and how much test prep went into it.
2/ That’s one option, sure.
3/ I also thought it was the latter, but it should be listed on the admissions ticket.

4
  1. depends on the student
  2. sure, can do. Or register for 2, and if feeling strong, stay for 3 (and be billed for it).
  3. Generally the latter, but the proctor rules.

btw: you can also take a different test than you register for. (All the ST’s are in the booklet.)

5

To 1.

Both my kids thought it was far easier to take three and get them over with. They both had schools that required three subject test scores. I’m not sure if they are any of those left! Part of the reason they thought it was no trouble was that they were for the most part taking AP courses that overlapped significantly with the subject tests so they were already reviewing the material.

One took US history, physics and Math 2. Got perfect scores on all of them. :smiley: !

The other took US history, Biology and Math 2. He didn’t like his math score and realized afterwards he was dumb to have chosen to take it as he is not speedy at math and doesn’t remember formulas and he didn’t do very well on the practice test in the blue book. The following month (June), he took US history (got the same almost perfect score to his annoyance), Biology (took M instead of E to see if that would make a difference - it didn’t same fine score), and Literature got a fine score.

They both took the practice tests in the blue book but otherwise did very little studying that I ever saw.

They thought it was much less tiring than taking the regular SAT.

Can’t answer for the other 2.

6

A little trivial addendum. The Blue Book (as it usually called) does not contain Subject Tests. Although the prep book for the Subject Tests is also (mostly) blue, few people call it “the Blue Book.”

http://www.amazon.com/Official-Subject-Tests-Mathematics-Levels/dp/0874477727/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1RBGHHS8YXP98QTMQERA

or

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1?ie=UTF8&field-author=The+College+Board&search-alias=books&text=The+College+Board&sort=relevancerank

7

You can definitely do that, ds took three: Bio(e), Lit and US History, scored 750,740,800

If D can do tests well its actually something I would encourage, its really not that much of an ask.

8

From now on I’ll call it the “Blueish book!”

9

My D also took 3 in one day. They are only an hour long and are multiple choice. Definitely “doable” for most students. She also only used the “Blueish book” for prep. :slight_smile:

10

Back in the day, my S1 also took 3 in one sitting. However, almost without exception, any schools which still require SAT Subject tests, only require 2. I understand taking more than 2 if the student is not sure which he/she will score highest in.

11
  1. My D took three. I paid for two and she decided that she wanted to take a third.
  2. You will get billed for it.
  3. Inform the proctor. And it will depend on if they have enough tests (at least this is how it was for my D when she wanted to add the third).
12

Thanks for all of the input.

@annwank - I was under the impression that all of the tests are in the same booklet that is given to everyone, so I’m not sure how they would run out of tests?

Related question - If I sign her up for three and she decides to take only two, do they issue a refund? Thanks again!

13

^ When I took them a couple of years ago they were all in the same book as well.

LOL. No.

14

It’s totally possible to do 3 in one day. It’s shorter than the SAT I.

15
  1. Number of tests depends on the kid. Some kids could do 3.
  2. Yes, you can pay for 1 and take extra tests and get billed for it afterwards. My DS did it so I know it works. However, I think that option is not available if you do a foreign language test.
  3. Kid should really inform the proctor upon arrival that wants to take additional tests. If kid wants option of stopping after 2 tests, they should ask the proctor before the tests start if that is ok or not.

Lastly, the ap tests are in early may. Might be better to take the 3 subject tests in June.

16

In case anyone wants to know, Georgetown is the only college that I’ve come across that still “recommends” three subject tests. Unfortunately, since many students might want to apply to Georgetown it means taking three is a good idea

17

@ReadyToRoll – you might want to check the score reporting policies for the schools she is considering. If the college does not require full testing history, CB will allow her to suppress a lesser score and report the other two taken the same day. At least that was the policy during last year’s admission cycle.

The APUSH exam does not overlap as well with the USH Subject test this year, in case that is one she is considering.

And yes, they will bill you for additional tests and the bill is sent in the US mail and you have to mail a check back. I found it so surprising that billing could not be handled on line. Again, may have changed in two years.

18

The option is not available if you want to take the foreign language with listening test, so this only affects the November administration.

19

“Some students may not be able to switch Subject Tests on test day if required materials are not available.”

“You can take a different test from the one you signed up for as long as you don’t try to switch to a different Language with Listening Test.”

This is from the college board site.

20

When I was in the room, my proctor said that as long you could add a test on or change tests, but let her know so it’s registered under us. You just get billed for it later. Breaking down your questions:

  1. Three is not too many. As long as she goes to a Score Choice school, it gives her some variety to pick and choose from. It's not just "OMG I did Math II and Literature I didn't do as well on them, I need something else!!!" She obviously doesn't have to do three. One kid in my room only did two (to the chagrin of his friend) and left before we started the third test. So don't feel like your daughter has to. Only do it if she wants to.
  2. This depends on how many tests she definitely wants to take or has to take. A nice rule of thumb is pay for 2, add one on later if you feel like it. You'll just be billed for it after the fact.
  3. I'm 99% sure you can decide after the first one and just tell the proctor you'd like to add on more. However, your daughter should definitely check with the proctor in the room before even starting.