USH subject test or English literature?

Test Preparation SAT Subject Test Preparation
1

<p>Next week, I am DEFINITELY taking Math II and Chemistry, since those are my favorite classes. I want to take a third test, and though I originally planned to take the US history test, I'm not so sure anymore.</p>

<p>I recently took AP US history, but I honestly haven't cracked open my textbook in a month, and I'm not sure how ready I'd be for the subject test. Any insight into the test's difficulty?</p>

<p>I was thinking that, instead of taking APUSH, I would take English Lit, because I heard it is easier to prepare for. I took a Shakespeare class last semester that I very much enjoyed, so I remember a lot of terms from reading the sonnets and the plays. My English teacher this semester is total crap, though, so I haven't really seen literary terms in a while. I got a 740 on the CR section of my SAT, if that makes a difference.</p>

<p>Which would be easier to review with a week left--US history, after not seeing the material in a month, or English Lit, after not seeing the material in a semester? Would either subject look better to colleges? My goal is a 750 for whichever one I take.</p>

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<p>If you got 740 on the CR section of the SAT, it is highly unlikely that you will get 750 on Literature; the latter is significantly harder, and it has a thougher curve. I would grab a review book and go with US History.</p>

3

<p>^not true. I actually got a 740 on the CR (though that’s the only time I’ve taken the SAT; I will retake in the fall) and a 780 on the Lit test.</p>

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<p>One case cannot disprove my statement.</p>

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<p>I would say that the lit test is not so much harder as more specialized. The skills needed for a good score on the CR are only moderately correlated to the lit test. Based on having looked at both in some detail, and having seen the scores of a handful of kids who generally did well to very well on CR, I would say that if you got over 700 on CR AND have had a very solid English lit class, you could do well on the lit test.</p>

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<p>What do you mean by “do well”?</p>

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<p>My claim that the Literature test is more difficult comes from my own experience with both tests, the experiences of every person I know who has taken both tests, and the data that the College Board has released. More than 12,500 of the most recent graduating seniors scored 780-800 on CR, whereas fewer than 2,400 scored 780-800 on the Literature Subject Test.</p>

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<p>But you have to look at percentages - far fewer students take the Literature Subject Test than students taking the SAT CR.</p>

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<p>However, in spite of that, I do agree with you (lol). The SAT II Literature is much harder (Personal opinion + CC opinion bias) than the SAT CR, with a tougher curve. Chances are you will most likely score lower than you would on the SAT CR section.</p>

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<p>Yes, fewer people take the Literature test, but the group is highly self-selecting (and includes many people who never took the SAT as well). Only students who feel confident in their ability to do well on the test will take it, and most people who take Subject Tests are aiming for highly selective schools. Despite that, only 1% of test-takers achieve 790 or 800 on the Literature Subject Test. Compare this to Math Level 2, which is subject to similar self-selection: 14% of test-takers achieve 790 or 800.</p>

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<p>I am great at reading comprehension. I easily got an 800 on the Critical Reading on the SAT, and felt like the SAT II was really pushing the outer limits of my ability to comprehend passages–I still got a 790, but it was quite the challenge. I wouldn’t take it with an SAT CR that low. Do the USH one. Just review! Go through an AP review book for maybe 3-5 hours in the week before the test (max 1h the night before) and you’ll be fine.</p>

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<p>You guys are kind of scaring me now, haha. How’s the curve on the USH test, then?</p>

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<p>^ Quite generous. On Literature, one needs about 59/61 raw to get 800. On US History, one only needs about 79/90 raw.</p>

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<p>Okay, I think I’ll go with USH, then. Thanks, everyone!</p>

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<p>Wait, are you talking about the APUSH or the SATII in USH? They’re very different tests! If we’re talking about SATIIs, I don’t think you can go wrong with US history, since it’s al multiple choice. Just skim a review book and you should be fine, particularly since you’ve been learning US history since grade school.</p>

<p>That said, I enjoyed the Lit SATII (I believe I got a 780, same as USH), though not as much as the Lit AP. I got a 770 on the CR section of the SAT the first time I took it, though I got an 800 the second time. I’d probably advise you to go with the USH, unless you truly love critical reading.</p>