When should you take your SAT II's?

Applying to College
1

<p>I'd would like to know when, during your high school career, is it best for you to take the SAT II's. I'm looking at engineering schools currently and the colleges say I should definitely take a math and physics test. However, I won't be taking AP physics until I am a senior so I only would have learned part of the material by the time I'm ready to apply for early decision. Does college board know that some kids can't take the physics test because they haven't learned all the material yet? Or do they create the test designed for only part of the material? Overall, what do most students do for the subjects they major in or the schools they apply to?</p>

<p>Also, say just as an example, I wanted to major in bioengineering. But, I took biology in freshman year. How are kids supposed to study for the subject test if they haven't touched a book on the subject matter for three years?</p>

2

<p>Take the SAT II as soon as possible after completing the course most closely related to that exam so the information will be fresh in your mind. Yes it is perfectly OK to take an SAT II in 9th grade.</p>

3

<p>You don’t necessarily need to match up your subject tests specifically to your major, if you’re interested in science there are tests in bio, chem, and physics (and I’m assuming that if you’re interested in science you will take a course in one of these before your senior year), and even if you wanted to take a subject test in history or language it would just show that you have many talents.</p>

4

<p>Will you have taken a regular high school physics course by the end of junior year? If so, you can take the SAT subject test in physics then, since SAT subject tests are supposed to cover high school level material, not more advanced level material like AP tests.</p>

5

<p>Unfortunately, I will have finished physics until the end of senior year. But, don’t engineering schools just “recommend” taking the physics SAT 2 test? Does that mean you will be penalized for not taking this test? Also, currently I’m taking chemistry. If I take this subject test in June or early next year, would that make up for my lack of a physics subject test?</p>

6

<p>Check each engineering school for what subject tests it requires or recommends.</p>