<p>Hi,
Princeton, as well as a few other schools, requires that undergrad applicants take 2 SAT Subject Tests. I was going to take Math 2 and Chemistry, the earliest test date is in October. There are also test dates in November, December, and January. I haven't had a math or chemistry course since this past January. So should I take them both in October, or should I take them in November, December, or January after I will have had Chemistry this coming semester?</p>
<p>Taking Chemistry this semester will be a refresher, and I'm wondering if I can send my application into Princeton in November and then have the SAT Subject Test scores sent to them whenever I take them?</p>
<p>As for what kind of preparation is helpful:</p>
<p>I found the Math Level 2 test to be very managable with a Pre-Calculus background. I don’t think it would take much work to quickly get back up to speed on the concepts required as long as you’ve had the class before. </p>
<p>Chemistry, however, takes a higher degree of understanding in order to score well. I recommend you take it when the AP material is fresh in your head or after a thorough review if you previously completed the course. For most people, anything about a 720-730 is unreasonable with only having taken introductory chemistry. (The level of understanding required to do well on the Subject Test in Chemistry is probably somewhere snuggly between introductory chemistry and Advanced Placement Chemistry.)</p>
<p>Alright thanks a lot. I had AP Calc until January of this year. Same with Honors Chem 1. I’ll have Honors Chem 2 starting in September, going until January. The math I can refresh at any time for any test. So do you think I would be better off taking them both in October at the earliest test date so I can include the scores on my application? Or do you think I should take them in December and have them sent to Princeton (I’ll write on the common app that I will take them in December)?</p>
<p>I would take math as soon as possible, as long as you have time to refresh first. But for the Chemistry, I would wait until you’ve had time to learn more material in class and take it in December. </p>
<p>Review some practice Subject Tests in Chemistry and see how you do. If you feel prepared, go ahead and take it in October.</p>
<p>I dont know if I would take the chem test without having taken a full year of AP chem. Just do bio or something else…that chem test is brutal without a nice healthy dose of college chem.</p>
<p>Is a science test a must? I know alot of people that do US and Math 2…then throw in chem once maybe or lit. However, the chem or lit would just be filler and taken on the off chance you do well. I was planning on taking chem too (Northwestern BS/MD program requires it), but the scale is frickin insanely harsh and the info isnt exactly easy for someone just out of chem. However, I just started AP chem today, so I dont know how well off you would be if you took it in december.</p>
<p>If you’ve taken Chem 1, you can get at least a 700 on SAT chem with little/no prep. If you’ve taken AP chem, you should be able to get an 800 easy. I took it after AP chem, and got an 800 with no prep, but I know people who took it after chem 1 and still got pretty good scores. Just get a review book to see your strength/weakness (Barron’s/PR), and you’ll be fine. Don’t sweat it.</p>