What's more important?

<p>What matters the most to colleges, SAT Reasoning Test scores or the SAT subject test scores?</p>

<p>The single most valid predictor for college success is your secondary school transcript (courses taken and grades earned in them). Scores on SAT subject exams, and on AP exams are somewhat valid. SAT reasoning exam scores are barely valid. Every single person who has ever worked on college admissions knows this. However, average SAT/ACT scores are used by USNWR and other organizations that make up the annual College Ranking reports, so most colleges/universities ignore this information at their peril and will do everything within reason to make their own results look good so as to improve their position in the rankings.</p>

<p>Read some of the research at [The</a> National Center for Fair & Open Testing | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org%5DThe”>http://www.fairtest.org)</p>

<p>^ lol, calm down.</p>

<p>Quasi, in general, consider the SAT Reasoning more important. Nearly every school requires it(or the ACT). Most schools do not require subject tests. Some recommend them, and very few(basically only top schools) require them. There are a few exceptions like Harvard, which claim that they heavily weigh the subject tests, but because only SAT Reasoning factors in to the rankings, I’d put the lion’s share of my efforts in to the Reasoning.</p>

<p>Thank you. I agree that my high school GPA would definitely be a better indicator of my college GPA than my SAT I scores. But what I’m wondering is whether colleges, during the admission process, give more weightage to SAT I or SAT II scores. In other words, what would be more likely to help get a student in: a 2400 on the SAT I or 800s in 3 Subject tests?</p>

<p>Oops, sorry Choklit, posted before I saw your post. Thanks for the help.</p>

<p>As an international student, all the rules change for you. Especially if you need money. Don’t measure yourself against US candidates. Your competition is other international students.</p>

<p>I know I’m in an insanely competitive pool, of course, but apart from that could you please explain in what way, exactly, the rules change?</p>

<p>There’s no single answer, for instance:</p>

<p>[The</a> Harvard Crimson :: News :: Fitzsimmons Defends SAT II](<a href=“http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=522693]The”>http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=522693)</p>

<p>For better advice on international admissions, visit the website of EducationUSA: [International</a> Students - EducationUSA](<a href=“http://www.educationusa.state.gov/]International”>http://www.educationusa.state.gov/)</p>

<p>After you have read all of it (and I do mean all of it), make an appointment with the counselors at the advising center closest to you. They have experience in helping students from your country find good places to study in the US. They will be able to tell you where students with your profile have been admitted here, and will be able to give you some guidance on the whole process.</p>

<p>Do not for one minute expect this to be easy as a international candidate who needs a lot of financial aid. The line in front of you is very, very, very long. Find some good colleges/universities in your own country and/or other countries to apply to as well.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>