Ive been taking SAT IIs as I’ve been taking the corresponding AP course. So I took Math II, Chemistry, and Physics (800, 780, 790) as I finished up the corresponding AP. At the end of this year, I’ll also be able to take World History, US History, Literature, and Biology. Assuming I can score as well as I’ve been scoring, should I take the tests? Does taking the tests make me look like I spend all of my Saturday morning testing even though its more like one Saturday morning? I’d prefer to take each test on separate test dates (ie one hour a month), so I guess that could make it look like I’m test obsessed or something. Any help would be appreciated!
Oh, I’m interested in applying to the ivies, Chicago, MIT etc.
Thanks so much.
IMO, what you have now is fine–especially if you’re pursuing STEM. MIT asks for Math II and a science subject test so you’ve already got those, and good scores at that. The max number of SATs schools require is 3 (I know Georgetown does) but most only ask for 2. I personally see no reason for you to spend anymore Saturdays on the SAT II.
No reason to spend any more time on them. You have great scores and are fine with what you have. Any more just seems like resume padding.
Thanks for responding. This seems so silly to me. I’m preparing to take those tests as I prepare for ap exams and I’m not taking them so colleges don’t think I’m resume padding or test obsessed when really the act of not doing something just so I don’t appear like a resume padded makes me a resume padder
Maybe take one non-STEM subject test in case a school on your list likes to see breadth. Other than that, you’re done with subject tests.
I don’t see the harm in taking couple more subject tests. (I am assuming you are an underclassman. If you took those tests at 10th grader or earlier, I don’t think you need worry about being perceived as test-obsessed by adding a couple more as a junior.) I see lots of kids get admitted to HYPSM who have several SAT II scores beyond the required two, often with multiple 800s or high 700s. I didn’t seem to hurt them. What DOES hurt isn’t multiple high scores per se, but the neglect of other dimensions of the application.
The good news is you already have three very good scores—which are sufficient anywhere you want to apply—and now you can concentrate your remaining SAT II efforts on your strongest subjects where you are likely to get very good scores (which in your case probably means 800). As you mention, you’re doing the work anyway for APs, so it will only require a bit more specific prep after AP exams.
That said, I would NOT do four more tests, especially on four different dates. That WOULD be overkill and raise concerns about being too test-fixated. Pick your 1-2 strongest subjects, do whatever prep required to ensure top score and be done. As aroundhere suggested, could could add humanities test to show versatility. Just be sure to show similar devotion to other interests–high stats are great when combined with other evidence of ECs interests and personality…but not so great when other aspects are flat. But I suspect you get that. Good luck!
While true, there is something also to be said about opportunity cost. Even if one is not perceived as a someone who has nothing better to do than take exams, and even if all other aspects of your application are perfect, there’s something to be said for taking those hours spent on taking an prepping for a test and using them to throw a ball or see a movie. 7 tests is overkill for anybody. More ≠ better.
Taking Literature or History with a high score would establish your academic versatility. MIT in particular is bombarded with kids with perfect math/science scores so that seeing a good world history and/or literature score could be a nice touch.
The College Board appreciates your money, though.
There’s no reason to take more than four subject tests, since colleges know you can take up to three at once. So if you’re undecided or don’t declare a major, colleges will understand taking four. They will not understand taking seven, and you really will give the impression that all you’ll do in college is go from class to library and back to class. And the colleges you mention will want someone who’s more engaged. So even if you are a test lover, you can’t position yourself that way.
Where did you get this idea of taking this many tests, GC, peers, the college board as noted above?