<p>Assuming that you are not applying as a potential math, engineering or other quant major, which Math SATII is the best choice for a student with strong math skills, but who didn't take the SAT II when he finished Pre-Calc last year? In particular, if you know the material for both tests, it appears that the harder Math SAT II generally results in higher scaled scores but lower percentile scores than the easier Math SAT II.</p>
<p>Stated differently, do schools pay more attention to your scaled score or to your percentile score?</p>
<p>the percentiles matter not. Take Math 2 if your student has completed pre-calc. Many kids forget the rules of number lines and other stuff on Math 1 since it was so long ago. Yes, the M-2 problems are harder, but the "curve" is much more generous. A student could miss ~7 problems and still score an 800 on Math 2, whereas miss one on Math 1 = 770, miss 2 = 740....</p>
<p>An 800 is a favourable score no matter what the percentile is, and it's a lot easier to score one of those on Math II. I found that most people managed an 800 even with some omissions/one or two known errors, while Math 1's curve is incredibly harsh, and really requires complete perfection.</p>
<p>Math II would be better if you know your stuff because there is a large curve. If your son has forgotten pre-calc then some extra studying is definetly necessary. I personally did not realize that until I did a sample question at midnight before the test, needless to say I ended up taking the Math I without studying and still getting a 700 on it</p>
<p>While the IIC has a great curve, it's a hard test. Have your son take a practice test first to see how he does. I think Barrons has some good practice tests for the IIC. </p>
<p>The schools are looking at the scores and not the percentages.</p>
<p>Barron's SAT II practice tests are MUCH HARDER than what the actual test. Here I was expecting a score of 500 after taking the practice tests only to see I got a 700 (w00t!)</p>
<p>That said, you should buy the Barron's book for its learning material and probably the practice test too since, although it nowhere reflects the actual test, the users will learn how to apply their knowledge to problems and be aware of the pitfalls of what seems to be an easy problem.</p>
<p>Yes, Barron's is definitely the way to go -- a decent score on their tests usually means a fabulous score on the real test, and the difficulty of the tests is a good thing when it comes to trying to making the most of your preparation. I took two practice tests and scored 700 and 720 respectively, but had an easy 800 on the real test (finished it in 25 minutes); a friend had 500-odds on the practice tests and a 750 on the real thing. </p>
<p>(Admittedly, I'm taking differential equations and am a prospective math major, so I'm a horrible standard to judge oneself by, but still.)</p>
<p>My son and my niece (both strong in math, she more than he) thought II was extremely difficult. Neither one prepped. She had taken calculus at Ursinus as a hs junior, and got a 540 on II. He got a 680. He got 740 on I and I forget what she got- she might not have taken it.</p>
<p>Check with the colleges to see what they accept. Some colleges would not accept Math 1 because the new SAT math is supposed to be harder so Math 1 is considered redundant.</p>
<p>I took the II for the curve, after a year of calc and a year of pre-calc. If your son has the background for it, I'd definitely suggest taking the II - the curve really is amazing, and you can get quite a few problems wrong and still get a perfect score. </p>
<p>I wouldn't suggest Barron's for prep (it only ends up being disheartening, it's much more difficult than the actual exam) but a practice test from somewhere else is generally a good idea! :]</p>
<p>Personally, I used Barron's for Math II and was worried about the difficulty about the test, and I was getting several wrong and did not know how to do some of the questions (some of the probability ones are quite difficult). Everyone at school kept telling me that I'd definitely get 800, but of course, I wasn't 100% confident. When I opened up the booklet on the day of the test, I almost laughed just looking at the first few problems. Easiest math test I'd ever taken.</p>
<p>I did IIc and got a 730 the first time I took it with no prep after finishing calc half a year before, precalc the year before that. I did a few practice tests and retook it and got an 800.</p>
<p>Some colleges look down on level 1, as it is basically the same as the SAT 1 math.</p>
<p>IIc is not a hard test. If your son has already taken Pre-Cal/Trig he should do fine. I received a 700 with no studying or reviewing what-so-ever.</p>
<p>Math I is ridiculously easy. Math II isn't too hard either, it's just the timing –– so if you're a meticulous student who likes to spend a long time working, or a student who frequently makes stupid mistakes, Math II will not be as easy for you.</p>
<p>Wouldn't Math I be worse for the (hypothetical) bright student who makes stupid mistakes? (Really unforgiving curve.) Personally, I frequently make mistakes of the order of 4/4 = 4 or something equally moronic, and still came through Math II just fine.</p>
<p>That's true assuming this "bright student" can handle Math IIC material.</p>
<p>To add into this topic, I find SAT II Math II test to be one of those "confidence builders". After fearing from its hype (largely attributed to Barron's Math II book) and to see the actual problems are very familiar or ridiculously easy, it's one of the few tests that I actually enjoyed taking with good results (Screw you, I find 700 to be a GREAT score).</p>
<p>One of the "confidence breakers" has to be the Physics test. You need to be familiar with many aspects of physics from mechanical to electricity to lights to relativity. In most cases, unlike math, a student usually have only one or two years of experience in the study of high school physics; and each year the class doesn't cover every aspect of physics...at least that was to me. When taking the actual test, the diverse questions will no doubt kill your spirit :(</p>
<p>That said, I love the curving of the Physics test, you could miss maybe 10-15 problems and still get a perfect 800.</p>