When to take SAT Physics/Math 2 Subject Test

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

Hi,

I’m planning on taking the Physics and Math 2 subject tests somewhere in my high school career, though I’m not sure when it would be best to take it.

I’ve heard that Math 2 should be taken after Pre-Calc/Trig. I’m currently in those classes but next year I’ll progress to AP Calc BC, would the test be easier after Pre-Calc/Trig or after AP Calc?

Also, I took AP Physics 1 this year and feel pretty confident about it, however, I have Physics C on my class schedule for next year. Would it be better to take the Physics Subject Test after Physics 1 or Physics C?

Thanks!

2

Any time after completing precalculus / trigonometry is fine for math level 2. Calculus will not help, except for giving you practice with some precalculus concepts while learning calculus (e.g. while learning calculus of trigonometric functions, you will need to practice your trigonometry).

For physics, the subject test covers a broad range of topics that a regular high school physics course would be expected to cover. For AP physics, you would need to take both 1 and 2 to cover that range of topics. Both C courses would cover mechanics and E&M, but would leave out some other topics.