Hello! I’m planning on taking 2 SAT Subject tests as advised by many schools, but I’m not sure what to take other than math II. I MAY go into an engineering field, and I know that some engineering schools want to see one math and one science subject test.
I’m taking AP Physics I right now, and I do not feel that I can score well on the subject test because Physics I lacks some key ideas that are present in the subject test. I have not taken AP Chemistry or Biology. I am thinking about Spanish, because I am pretty good at it. I’m just not sure if two subject tests are so important that I need to take Spanish, which would be totally unrelated to my major. Thank you!
If you have an interest in engineering, physics or chemistry would be preferable (and may be specified for engineering applicants at some schools). You can also take whatever third one you like on the same day.
Have you had a decent high school chemistry course?
Unfortunately, the change from AP physics B to what is commonly a two year AP physics 1 and 2 sequence means that AP physics 1 is incomplete preparation for the SAT subject test compared to either the old AP physics B or a decent regular high school physics course.
Some schools may have specific preference, others would not really care. You should check out the list linked at http://www.rtsd.org/Page/1574.
Math2 plus a science would be great. If you really think you may perform better in another subject test than Physics, you may take that as well at the same time. A third subject test in the same sitting does not cause you much more and you can usually select the subject scores you want to send even for schools that require all scores for SAT1/ACT like Stanford.
Thank you, both replies helped me very much. I took Honors Chemistry (and learned a good amount of what is taught in AP Chemistry) last year, but I do not remember much. I will have summer work for AP Chemistry this summer, which should review last year’s material. Do you recommend that I wait until October to take the Chemistry subject test? If a 3rd test doesn’t hurt, I suppose I will also take Spanish.
You may want to try the practice questions to see how well you know the tested material:
https://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-subject-test-preparation/chemistry
Take the test when you have fresh memory. It may well worth the $16 or so registration cost for taking the subjects in separate sittings if necessary.
You don’t have to have taken AP Chemistry to take the Chem subject test. If you took an honors chem class you may be fine. Get a prep book to begin your preparation.You may be surprised that you are more prepared than you think.