<p>Hello,
I'm looking to take a science sat subject test, but I am unsure of which to take for the December one (today is the last day to register btw).</p>
<p>Currently I am taking AP Physics Mechanics, but I've heard the physics subject test goes over far more than just mechanics, and I was worried it would be too difficult to self study in approximately a month.</p>
<p>I've taken Biology sophomore year (currently a senior) but tbh I don't remember a single thing I have learned. However, I have heard that it is just a lot of memorization, and isn't really that difficult to self-study.</p>
<p>I'm leaning most away from chemistry because I haven't taken a chem class since freshman year and it was only an honors course.</p>
<p>I've already decided to take Math 2 or Math 1, but i still need a science one to take. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Apologies for my terrible procrastination!</p>
<p>I personally hate chem and physics so I decided to take bio. I procrastinate all the time and for the past three bio tests I’ve taken, I started studying the day before (I didn’t even go to school to cram lol) and the first time I got a 690 and 630 the second time -_- and I don’t know how I did on the third one yet. Anyways, I personally think bio is the easiest out of the three to self-study.</p>
<p>Since physics is the one which you are most familiar with, you should take that. You can still buy a prep book and self-study all the material that you need to know. You can always change which test you want to take later. The last time I checked, even after the deadline to register for the subject tests has passed, you can still change the specific subject tests you want to take as long as you have already registered to take at least one. I don’t think that you get charged money for switching which subject test you want to take.</p>
<p>I take biology HL and Chemistry HL in the IB diploma program and took Bio and Chem as SAT II subjects in November. From my experience, I can tell you that it is difficult to get an 800 on these subjects due to the curve. For bio, you can only miss 2 or 3 and for chem 3 or 4. Physics however, allows you to miss about 10 questions for a 800 if I am not mistaken. </p>
<p>For me, I have foundational physics knowledge as I took pure physics as an IGSCE equivalent and I find that the questions asked are not on rocket science or on topics that are too difficult to understand. Nevertheless, you will have to be very familiar with all the concepts for physics as questions tend to be tricky. It also helps to be very mathematical. </p>
<p>On the otherhand, if you are aiming for a 700+, bio/chem will be the choice for you since the scale for a 700 is decent (about 10 off) and they are much easier to self-study. For biology, regardless of whether you are taking E or M, be prepared to learn everything in detail cause there is a large range of topics that can be tested. My personal nemesis is the chapter on taxonomy (the Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species thing), which takes hours to revise and memorize. </p>
<p>For chemistry, if you have a strong foundation in atomic structure, bonding, periodicity, stoichiometry and acids & bases, you are pretty much set to go. These topics make up about 60-70% of the test while the other topics are tested with less frequency and only have to be learnt in basic detail if you are targeting 700+. </p>
<p>To sum things up:
Take Physics if you are aiming for 800 and are mathematical.
Take Biology if you don’t mind memorizing alot.
Take Chemistry if you have a strong foundation in chemistry especially on the ‘foundation’ chapters.</p>
<p>I didn’t study SAT bio until two weeks before. I started seriously cramming the week before the test and read the Barrons prep book two times. Got a 720 and am considering retaking the test. My point is, Bio is not hard if you’re willing to work for it. And believe me, there is a lot of work.</p>
<p>Bio-pure memorization
Physics-made a 670 with a quarter of Physics B (man electricity and crap is hard when you did not study enough)
Chemistry- good luck with that, AP chem is pretty hard already.</p>
<p>For I think that if you took the AP science, you should do relatively okay on the subject test (but I am no genius who made 2400 on the SAT so take my word with a grain of salt)</p>