Hello, I am curious as to when people typically take the SAT subject tests. I am going into my sophomore year and I want to take the Math 2 test and the Biology E test this year, but I’m wondering if I should hold it off until later in my high school career. Also, I’d like to take the Physics test after I take Physics C (junior year). Does this sound like a good plan? Any suggestions?
At the end of the appropriate course. In your case, take Math 2 after you take pre-calc, and take Bio after you take bio. Despite white some students incorrectly state on this forum, you do not need an AP course to do well on the Subject Tests.
Take the subject test the spring after you take the corresponding course. If you are taking bio and precalc this fall, then the material is fresh for those subject tests in the spring.
I took precalc and bio this past year, so should I plan to study for these exams in the fall?
A lot of students take Bio-E, though, and many of them have had AP Bio. Which does put you at a disadvantage if you haven’t had AP.
If you have time to study over the summer, yes, take the tests in the fall. The bio especially: your vocabulary will get rusty. Math 2 in the spring would be fine if you are taking calc to keep your math skills sharp during the school year, but do some test specific prep a few weeks before.
Do you think that AP Bio is necessary for taking Bio E? I only took biology honors, but when I took the practice questions on the collegeboard’s website they seemed pretty simple with only my honors knowledge. Would it be manageable with only honors if I buy a prep book and study?
AP classes are not necessary, but in most cases they are going to help. If you plan on taking the AP class for a subject it makes sense to take the SAT2 test at the end of the AP class. If you don’t plan on taking the AP class by junior year, then it’s best to take at the end of the first-year class. Note that even some AP classes don’t necessarily prepare you too well for the SAT2 because the curriculum isn’t that well aligned. Some first year classes don’t either. You mentioned physics. You should talk to the physics teacher about the SAT2 and how well the class you’ll take prepares for that exam. Many physics classes don’t do so well for that, but I am not sure about Physics C since our school doesn’t offer it. And is your Physics C both courses or just mechanics?
I know a student who took a bio SAT2, not sure which one, as a freshman after a single year of bio with almost no prep and did very well on it. If you have time to study, I’m guessing it should be fine. But you should also think about which and how many tests you need.
Ok I registered for the Math 2 test! I’m still on the fence about whether or not I feel ready for the bio test though… Thank you for all of your responses. I will be sure to talk with the physics teacher about the sat exam. My school offers both C courses. Does anyone else have any opinions about the physics test? Thank you!
None of the AP Physics courses, either alone or in combo, will cover all the topics on the Subject Test.
@skieurope So how do you suggest I study for this test?
@shanban1607 Well, for starters, you don’t need 3 Subject Tests, but if you really want to take a physics Subject Test, you’ll need to bite the bullet and get a prep book and spend a lot of time learning the topics not covered in class.
As I said earlier, no.
Yes. FWIW, although it’s a different science, I must be the only person on College Confidential who took the Chem Subject Test before taking AP Chem, and I did fine. Would I have done better if I waited until after AP Chem? Maybe, but I decided that the extra time and effort was not worth the few points I could potentially have gained.
@skieurope Thank you so much! 
The chem subject test appears to be well aligned to AP chem. My daughter aced it after AP chem with almost no studying. She did not feel she could do the same with physics.
My suggestion would be to study for the math and bio this summer. You can get a practice test or two from college board and see how you do. Then if you are confident about the bio go ahead and take it. Unless you are interested in engineering, you probably don’t need anything else. For engineering you need to check requirements, but some will want chem or physics or perhaps specify physics.