Which SAT Subject Tests?

<p>Greetings!</p>

<p>I am trying to determine which SAT subject tests I ought to take. Several of the schools I am applying to require/strongly recommend taking three SAT Subject Tests. I am considering the following tests:</p>

<p>Spanish
U.S. History
Mathematics Level 1
Mathematics Level 2
Literature</p>

<p>Here are the APs I have taken by year
Sophomore year: AP U.S., AP Chem, AP Calc AB
Junior year: AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Calc BC, AP European History
I intend to take the following APs as a senior: AP microeconomics, AP macroeconomics, AP Spanish, AP English Literature, AP English Language</p>

<p>Taking the science exams is out of the question, because I have already forgotten most of the material. Unfortunately, as a sophomore, I didn't even know the SAT subject tests existed (nor, as it follows, did I know that they are considered to be easier than the corresponding AP exams). However, I did score a 5 on the AP U.S. History exam and I think I could review all summer long to get a decent score. I recently did the sample questions on the college board website and got 14/14. On the other hand, I am not sure whether it would be redundant to get an 800 on the SAT II and a 5 on the AP. Perhaps, they would be impressed by my ability to retain the material a year later or they could take it for laziness.</p>

<p>I am highly confident I scored a 5 on the AP Calc BC exam (4 at worst), so I am hoping that I will have proven my ability as a mathematics student. Yet, I haven't taken a lower level math course for so long that the task of studying for the Mathematics Level 2 exam is quite daunting. I have still managed to retain most of the material covered for the Level 1 exam though. Hence, I feel inclined to take the Level 1 test. I am worried though, because I have heard the curve for the Level 1 test is more difficult since the material covered is of less difficulty.</p>

<p>Although I will be in the AP class for Spanish next year, I have read articles stating that scoring perfect on both the AP and SAT II for spanish is near impossible for a non-native speaker due to the amount of native speakers taking both tests. However, aside from grades, I have nothing to prove my prowess with the language: no awards, test scores, nada.</p>

<p>Finally, since I scored a 33 on the reading portion of the ACT and a 720 for the SAT reading comp. section, I feel as though the SAT Lit. section may be right for me. But once again, I've heard that there is a near-impossible curve for the Lit test since it does not really require any studying.</p>

<p>What's your input?</p>

<p>edit: another note. Why not take 4? You can only take 3 Sat IIs in the same test-taking session, and depending on the results of my June SAT I, I may want to take the SAT again in the fall.</p>

<p>no recommendations...?</p>

<p>Hmmm.</p>

<p>Unless you're a big history person, I wouldn't take the US History one because that would require a lot of studying.</p>

<p>The Math 2 is not bad, you probably won't need to review a whole lot. Don't take the Math 1 b/c you obviously can do the Math 2 given the courses you are taking.</p>

<p>Also, I'm not sure how many spanish courses you have taken, but if you've taken at least 3 years of spanish, the SATII should be fairly easy (to get at least in the 700s)</p>

<p>Lit could also be a good choice for you if you are good at analyzing passages etc.</p>

<p>I'd suggest taking Math I, Math II, and Lit practice tests - just one each so that you get a feel for the tests, for the differences between the Math tests, and so that you get an idea of what would require the most work.</p>

<p>I'm sure that you would be able to do well on the math II exam especially since you've had both AP Calcs and AP Physics. Just a little brush up and you should be fine.</p>

<p>Lit would also be a good choice since you've done so well in the past. For that I would recommed just doing CB practice tests and going on Sparknotes.</p>

<p>I'm not sure about the choice between US History and Spanish. The curve for Spanish is really harsh but I'm assuming that since you'll be taking AP Spanish next year that you've had at least 3 or 4 years of Spanish so you may be fine.</p>

<p>I have a quite a bit to say and ask, but short on time as well, so I am going to get to one question that has been floating around my mind for sometime. Let's assume that I will get an 800 on the SAT II: U.S. History test with only a few weeks worth of review. Could that potentially look bad on my college transcript, since it may appear that I am just over-flaunting my knowledge of U.S. History?</p>

<p>I don't understand how getting an 800 on the USHist SATII could look bad.</p>

<p>i think you are overestimating the time that each application gets looked at. they don't think: hmm, why did brendanww get an 800 a year after the class? was s/he lazy? flaunting it?</p>