What is the deal with SAT Subject Tests? I'm so confused!

Parents Forum
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I signed D19 up for 3 SAT subject tests in June. We don’t have a specific list of schools yet, but some of them that she is considering supposedly “recommend” subject tests and since she is finishing AP Chem this year, I figure there’s never going to be a better time to take that one. I’m having trouble figuring out specifics though - from what I understand, some colleges like 2 tests and some like 3? Most of them expect you to take one of the math ones? Does it matter which other ones you take?

She is currently signed up for Math 2, Chemistry, and Biology. She would probably also do well on Literature. Would it be better to take Literature instead of Biology, because 2 sciences make her look too “pointy” and not well-rounded? Also, math is probably her weakest subject - she’d probably prefer Chem, Bio, and Literature if given her druthers. But somewhere (probably here) I got the impression that colleges really expect one of the math subject tests (which doesn’t make much sense to me since math is on the regular SAT, but whatever!) Maybe she’d be better with Math 1, though she finished precalc and they say to take Math 2 if that is the case. And should she even take Bio without having had AP bio (which she is taking next year)? She’s had honors bio as a 9th grader and is taking genetics now so she’s up on her cellular bio/DNA stuff, but it’s been a few years since she had any kind of plant biology or ecology stuff.

My understanding is that she can switch subject tests on test day without any penalty so we have the option to change things around.

Where do you actually go to find out what SAT subject tests a college wants? On the college board site, they have a huge list of what schools use Subject tests, and UMass is listed. But when I go to the UMass website, I can’t really find any specific recommendations. And I’m wondering if subject tests might be required for honors program admission at some of these schools, even if they aren’t for regular admission.

I’m so confused! What subject tests did your child take? And why? For what schools? Thanks!!!

If it matters, she is probably looking at applying to honors colleges at large public Us, majoring in something sciencey with an eye toward med school.

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There are very few schools who require Subject Tests at all. Most of the ones that do recommend them require 2. Georgetown is the only US university that I am aware of that requests 3. More does not equal better, although one can take 3 to find the best 2. Even if you send more than 2, for colleges that want 2, they will look at the best 2.

If the college wants specific subject tests - they will say so on the website. Generally, engineering programs will ask for a math and a science. For almost all others, it’s the student’s choice. There are no brownie points awarded for showing well-roundedness on Subject Tests - that is better shown through the transcript

Here’s the thing about AP sciences - they do not prepare you for the Subject Tests. APs are college material covering less breadth than the Subject Tests, which tests on HS material. Some students prefer to wit until after they take the AP version, but in every instance, there will be gaps that the student will need to review on his/her own. If the student is really lucky, the AP teacher may cover some/all the gaps, but this is rare.

If she’s finished precalc, she should take M2, if she takes a math Subject Tests. Math is a common Subject Test to take, but unless the college says they want it, it’s not required.