Which SAT II Subject Test?

<p>Hey CC. I'm going to be a senior this September. I'm giving my final SAT this October. I am also going to give 2 SAT Subject Tests in November. I am definitely taking Math IIC. As for the second one, I am not sure which one to choose. I cannot take Physics as I am taking Physics senior year. The reason being is that I only thought of becoming an engineer mid junior year and I had Anatomy & Physiology and it was already too late to change. I am deciding between U.S. History and World History. However, my school only offers APUSH senior year as we HAVE to take U.S. History I, II, and World History (cannot double up) 9th, 10th, and 11th. World History was an Honors course (my school offers limited AP classes). My own option is to self study. My only question is which is better. I keep hearing both are quite difficult, while also hearing both are quite easy (U.S. History being easier). I want to know which one will be easier to get 700+ on. After choosing that one, could you please list 1 or 2 prep books that essentially have everything that will be on the SAT II and have accurate tests as well? </p>

<p>P.S. Is Crash Course (YouTube playlist for American History) really that effective for U.S. History Subject Test?!?</p>

<p>Check your target schools for requirements and recommendations. Engineering divisions may want to see math and science (e.g. chemistry if you have not had high school physics but presumably have had high school chemistry). Adding a third test in a non-math/science subject may show “well roundedness” to schools that favor that.</p>

<p>Note that SAT subject tests are supposed to cover high school level material, not requiring advanced or AP level material.</p>

<p>I am slightly confused by your scheduling. Have you taken any course of World History or U.S. History in the past? If so, take the one you have taken already. I took the U.S. History subject test and self studied for the APUSH test and did fine. (I used the books AMSCO and Five Steps to a 5 for both). The former, I found, gave great summaries of each chapter and corresponds with the APUSH book without getting into irrelevant details that don’t matter. I did not get separate subject test books as they basically cover similar content.</p>

<p>Although some parts of the subject tests were more specific than the APUSH test, I found the curve to be pretty generous (second behind math ii I think, don’t quote me on this). Despite thinking I didn’t do amazing and thought I missed a bunch, I ended up with a 790.</p>

<p>Alternatively, you could take a chemistry, bio, or lit test if you don’t want to take either of the histories</p>

<p>Since you’ve had coursework in both US History and World History, I would say choose the subject which you feel you’ve mastered. Consider your natural abilities, your interests, quality of your training, and retention of previously learned material.</p>

<p>If you choose to take the U.S. History Subject test, check out Larry Krieger’s [The</a> Insider’s Complete Guide to AP U.S. History: The Essential Content](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Insiders-Complete-Guide-History-Essential/dp/0985291206/"]The”>http://www.amazon.com/Insiders-Complete-Guide-History-Essential/dp/0985291206/). Purchase [The</a> College Board Subject test book](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Official-Study-Guide-Subject-Tests/dp/0874479754/"]The”>http://www.amazon.com/Official-Study-Guide-Subject-Tests/dp/0874479754/) or [Barron’s</a> guide](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Barrons-Subject-Test-History-Edition/dp/1438003110"]Barron’s”>http://www.amazon.com/Barrons-Subject-Test-History-Edition/dp/1438003110) as a source for practice tests.</p>

<p>FWIW, you’re probably fighting an uphill battle here because the colleges which require 2 Subject tests also happen to be the most selective schools. If you aren’t competitive for one of these schools (i.e., top student at your high school, unweighted 4.0 GPA, most rigorous curriculum, high SAT/ACT scores, extensive/interesting extracurricular activities), you might want to consider only applying to colleges that don’t require Subject test scores. This would give you another slot to retake the SAT in the fall.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>I have high GPA and rank. The only colleges I’m applying to that require SAT II are Princeton and CMU. Other than that, it’s UIUC (doesn’t look at SAT II), UC-Berkeley, UC-Los Angelos, UT-Austin, UC-San Diego, and few others. I thought taking the SAT II will give me a higher chance of being selected into the UC’s even if they don’t require it, as they still do look at it.</p>

<p>If you are applying to a college for engineering that requires subject tests than taking U.S. History or World History subject tests would be redundant. Check the schools you want to apply to and then reconsider which one you should take.</p>

<p>I have taken Chemistry and Biology. I have mostly forgotten almost everything about Chemistry, however. Is there a prep book that will prepare me fully? </p>

<p>Bumppp… And will it be easier to self study for Physics or Chemistry (from scratch)?? I’m taking Physics senior year so if I decide to give the Subject test in November, I’ll have at least 2 months (Sept. & Oct.) of prep with help from teachers from school. Basically it’ll be self study but teachers will guide me as well if I’m confused or if I want to go ahead and learn ahead, since by November I’ll only have knowledge of 1 marking period’s worth before taking Physics test, assuming I decide to take that. I’ll be learning very quick and hope to dedicate total of at least 10 hours a week. Question is which science should I invest my time in?</p>

<p>P.S. I meant both subjects from scratch. I mainly forgot Chem and only remember basics.</p>

<p>Bump…</p>

<p>It will probably be easier to remember chemistry that you learned before than to learn physics the first time, unless you are a natural at the type of thinking needed in physics but not chemistry.</p>