<p>I need to take two SAT Subject Tests this fall to send to colleges. I am applying to a bunch of top tier/Ivy League schools. I know most "strongly suggest" (i.e. require) the Math II test. Other than that should I take a test I know I will do well on (got an 800 on a practice US History test, a 780 on another practice US History test) or one that is relevant to my intended major (biomedical) (I took a practice bio test and only got a 700)?</p>
<p>For a Biomedical major, I would recommend that you take Math 2 along with Biology. Physics would be a maybe for you but Math 2 and Biology definitely.</p>
<p>Take the two you will do the best on. Math II and US History are fine if all you need is any two tests.</p>
<p>US history should be fine, but there are a few top schools that reccomend 1 science and 1 math so i would look into each school’s policy.</p>
<p>Basically, your scores will be used by a computer to make something equivalent to the Academic Index. The way Michelle Hernandez explained it in her book A is for Admission, they bin students by Academic Index and take a certain fraction of each bin. </p>
<p>If none of your schools require a science, or something relevant to your major, nailing the US History will give you the highest Academic Index, so that is what you should do.</p>
<p>If you took any AP classes, take that subject test too.
Take any that are related to your major. For biomedical definitely bio and math. Math II, if scored well would be impressive, but I would also take Math I to be safe. Do those first, definitely take US too. You did amazing! You can always retake your subject tests if you want too.
Only a 700??? Only??? For me anything 500+ is good lol.</p>
<p>^^
Taking Math I in addition to Math II is bad advice. If you have the wherewithal to do well in Math II (it’s graded on a very lenient curve) take that</p>
<p>Consider taking Physics instead of Bio. In the case of selective colleges with very strong science and engineering programs this may give you a slight edge. Of course you have to do well. Physics, like Math II, is graded on a very lenient curve.</p>
<p>And take US history, since it appears that you’ll do well. There is no harm in submitting 3 scores even when only 2 are required.</p>
<p>Hey fog… how is that bad advice? Just wondering. At one point I was thinking about doing it for myself.</p>
<p>^ I don’t think this was meant to be a shot at you. What fogcity was saying (I believe, and in which case, I would agree) is that taking the Math I test, a lower level test (because it only covers algebra, geometry, and trig) would not really help a students application to top national schools (Harvard, Yale, MIT) because it only really shows that you are good at basic math. At schools such as these, they only accept the best and the brightest. Math II covers the aforementioned topics, in a more advanced way, as well as (pre)calculus. It shows how good you are at complex and difficult math. Doing well on the Math II test is more impressive to colleges (especially the ones that require it) than doing well on the lower level Math I. And this is in no way a shot at anyone taking the Math I test. It is just a less difficult test than Math II.</p>
<p>And to the previous posts, I am applying to my dream school (Columbia) ED so I really only have the October administration of the SAT to take the 2 Subject Tests.</p>
<p>You know you can take 3, right? So why not math2, history, and the science where you feel most confident?</p>
<p>Thanks, I was not aware that I could take 3 at once. I thought 2 was the max. Thanks for clearing this up.</p>
<p>Thank you smithg for the advice! It does make sense. Havent thought about that. What about schools like NYU or Baruch? Both are on my list and competitive. Not applying to any ivies.</p>