<p>I posted this question over on the test prep/SAT forum, but since I'm an old geezer, I have a feeling I'll be ignored.
Anyway.
How do kids decide which subject tests to take? Do they take ones they think they'll score the highest on or ones related to their intended major?
Do their teachers/GCs help them decide? I've asked S's GC and (surprise) not had a response :rolleyes:</p>
<p>You decide by reading on CC about which ones are the hardest and which ones have the best curve. :) There is a lot of wisdom on the SAT, etc. thread. It seems that it is good to take the SAT IIs in your strongest subjects, especially if you have just finished an honors or AP course in that subject.</p>
<p>I would also think that if you are applying for certain programs, certain SAT II's would be preferable. Someone applying for an engineering program, for instance, would probably want to take the Math SAT II and perhaps one or two science SAT II's as well.</p>
<p>DrDrewsmom</p>
<p>The best thing to do is to choose a few schools that you think your S "might" be interested in applying to. Then go to the school's website, and usually on the admissions page somewhere, they will list the admissions requirements, and tell you which SAT2's are required for that school. It has been my experience with the schools my first child applied to, that most schools will require Writing, Math, and a subject of your choice.</p>
<p>If your S is planning on studying science or math, then the Math 2 is preferred by most math/science programs, and the 'subject of choice' should probably be in one of the sciences. </p>
<p>I had heard that some of the schools would drop the requirement for the writing SAT2, now that writing has been added to the SAT1, but I recently checked a couple of school websites, and they still have the Writing SAT2 as a requirement, so I am not sure where they are headed.</p>
<p>Not sure what grade your son is in, and if he is in 9th or 10th, then you may be totally overwhelmed at the thought of looking at college websites (I would have been first time around). You also may have no clue yet, if he is inclined towards math/science. But it still doesn't hurt to pull up the websites of a few schools, even if you have no idea whether or not your son will apply there, just to get an idea of what schools look for.</p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>There is no writing SAT II anymore. The last one was in January.</p>
<p>A good starting point is an understanding of whether or not your child's school curriculum in the sciences is geared to the material that is covered on the sat II- especially in Bio. You can usually check with the science department head and ask if students generally take the test, and how they do on them.</p>
<p>Literature is pretty similar to critical reading, so someone who does well on verbal sat can typically do alright on the sat2 lit test.</p>
<p>Thanks all :)</p>
<p>Yes, I checked college board yesterday and the Writing subject test is gone. </p>
<p>So, he is just finishing AP calc and AP chem, so he should probably take subject tests for those, right? Is 2 too many to take at one time? I have read a couple threads which say absolutely don't take 3, but what about 2?</p>
<p>And yes, S is a junior and intending to major in engineering. </p>
<p>He is also finishing up 3rd year Latin so maybe he should take that one too? </p>
<p>And when will these be offered in the fall? College board's website only had the schedule up through June....</p>
<p>thanks again :)</p>
<p>I would suggest that he go ahead and take Math IIC and Chem- maybe Latin, also. Many people take three at a time. Then-if he doesn't like one of his scores he can take it again in the fall. Sounds like he is ready for these tests right now.</p>
<p>The above post is right- definitely take the Math II, and the Chem. Review will overlap with studying for finals. Forget about the Latin if he's just done thru Latin 3-- Its very hard, and very heavy on translations. Very few kids do well on it even after 5 or 6 years of Latin.</p>
<p>oops-
meant to add- take the June testing, not the fall</p>
<p>annelise,
thanks for the info on the Latin! I think we'll have him skip it. BTW, who takes 5 or 6 years of it....are you talking about kids who begin it during elementary or junior high?</p>
<p>Kids who take more than 3 years of Latin, generally start in 7th and 8th. My son took 7 years of it!</p>
<p>My D took the bio SAT II--she found a prep book required. Many high schools don't cover all of the bio topics that are covered on the test. Be sure to check with a chem prep book to see if there are any holes in your student's high school chem coverage.</p>
<p>as a general rule, if taking two, then take one from Col A (math/science), and one from Col B (humanities/language). That way a student demonstrates strength across curriculums. The UC's require two Subject tests in separate disciplines, i.e., can't submit just two languages.</p>
<p>Certain schools (MIT, CalTech), and engineering programs require Math 2. (Math 2 has a much bettter 'curve,' so its a good test for kids strong in math.) Other colleges may have a preference and will state it on their website. Otherwise, intended major doesn't matter much since adcoms know that kids change majors 2-3 times. </p>
<p>Even tho your Jr hasn't registered, he could take the test tomorrow Stand-by, space avail. He just has to go to the nearest test center and get in line at ~7:30 am. Test dates next June, Oct, & Nov.</p>
<p>btw: someone currently completing calc, will likely have forgotten some of Alg I and Geom, since it was so long ago. Definitely recommend a practice book just to brush up.</p>
<p>Can a test be repeated? For example, if my son takes the biology test this year, can he take it again later? How do the scores get reported?</p>
<p>absolutely, S can take as many times as he wants (and you have money - LOL). All scores are reported, but colleges consider the highest (it's in thier interest to give kids the highest possible scores to boost their own stats). Private colleges even mix and match SATI scores, using highest math and verbal from different sittings. The UC's, however, will use only highest SAT I from a single sitting.</p>
<p>
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Even tho your Jr hasn't registered, he could take the test tomorrow Stand-by, space avail. He just has to go to the nearest test center and get in line at ~7:30 am. Test dates next June, Oct, & Nov.
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</p>
<p>Ha! No chance of standby as conference tournament for baseball starts tomorrow :eek: His coach would have a coronary if I said, "oh BTW, DrDrew won't be there b/c he's going to take a test"</p>
<p>We will do the June test. Thanks for the link, too! I could only get to the page which had the calendar up through next month :confused:<br>
I did notice it listed algebra/geometry/trig, and it has been a while since he took those....which practice book would be best?
I think we'll have him do Math II and Chem. Then in the fall he can do another and maybe repeat one of these if he doesn't like a score.</p>
<p>Last year SAT II Latin was offered twice, in June and December. I don't think it is ever offered at every testing date. My S took it last June after finishing Latin 3 and did very well.</p>
<p>As others have said, I would suggest taking the tests that your child should excel on. I would also take 3 at a time and if they do not like the score on any of the 3 they can retake in June or the fall.</p>
<p>I do have one question, if you have a child who is interested in Math should they take both Math Level 1 and Math Level 2? Right now my son is signed up for the 2 Math tests and Chem for the June administration. Thinking of changing the Math Level 1 to History because he just finished up APUSH. He can then take Math Level 1 in the fall if he likes.</p>
<p>What do others think?</p>