Which Subject Test Should I Take?

Test Preparation
1

Got my SAT Scores back a few weeks ago, and I don’t think I’ll be taking it again because I scored a 1550 with a 22 on the essay.
I was excited at first, because I thought it meant that I never had to give Collegeboard my money again (except for APs, of course).
But then I found out about Subject Test. After looking at what is offered, I think I could do very well on most of them except the languages.
Older friends of mine have recommended taking Math 2 because it is easy, and I’m sure I could do well on the test, but I don’t know if I should take it.
From my understanding, subject tests are used to supplement your application and showcase your strengths.
I’m currently taking BC Calc as a junior and I’m good at math, but I’m not going to apply to colleges next year as a “math guy.”

The strongest parts of my application are in psychology, neuroscience, history, and economics.
I’m definitely taking World History Subject Test.
I’m just not sure what second subject I should take if not Math 2.

2

What do the colleges you are interested in want to see?

3

Do the colleges you’re looking at require Subject Tests?

The best time to take Math2 is at the end of a PreCalc class, but you can probably refresh on trig and the associated topics. Math2 is generally a well-accepted test about anywhere.

The other options depend on what courses you’re currently taking. Taking the tests in May or June of the year in which you’re taking the class is generally the best strategy.

4

I don’t think anyone “requires” subject tests, but a lot of the schools I’m looking at, such as the Ivies, strongly recommend the tests.

I’m currently in AP Physics (Mechanics C), APUSH, BC Calc, and AP Lang.

I suffered through the reading section enough on the SAT and managed to squeak by with a 780, so I’d rather not take the Lit subject test.

I guess I have some time to decide. I’ll take them either in May or June.

5

“strongly recommend” in virtually all cases means " required".
So If you think you MIGHT end up applying to colleges that " recommend" subject tests, then take them this May or June.
A range of strong subject test scores, in US History, English, Math 2 can only help your application.

6

You could take world history, us history, and math 2 (if you think you can do well in those).

7

This seems like it might be up your alley; However, if you’re more interested in applying as a neuroscience major or something in the medical field, I would strongly recommend taking a Biology subject test. I have heard that it is quite difficult but if your application is already strong in the psych/neuroscience department, having a strong biology subject test can only supplement that.

8

You know, I thought about taking Bio. But I just learned that there are actually 2 different tests (Bio E and Bio M). So I’m not sure which would be better to take.

9

You mean among schools you’re considering? Because there certainly are schools that require them.

“In addition, we require two SAT Subject Tests: one in math (level 1 or 2), and one in science (physics, chemistry, or biology e/m)“

“ The following standardized test are required for a complete freshman application. We do not accept any substitutes for these tests.

SAT or ACT
SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2
1 SAT science subject test: biology (ecological), biology (molecular), chemistry, or physics”

And, as noted, at many schools, “recommended” means required unless you have a financial hardship.

10

One issue is that Subject Tests are based on first year HS course-word.

Physics, for example, covers everything you probably had in an initial physics class. Physics C Mechanics is deep dive in Mechanics, way deeper than the Subject Test, but nothing in the other areas of the test. Similarly, Calc BC is way past the topics on either math test.

My D, for example, will be done with three of them as a Sophomore.

Sounds like US History May be your best option. Review the test description to see how it aligns with your coursework. My D had to do a little self-study for Math 2 and Chemistry.

Fwiw, Lit Subject Test and SAT EBRW are completely different. Narrative voice, imagery, figurative language, connotation, etc. Not grammar and word usage.

11

You should definitely take math 2, but be warned it is not “easy.” It is just that the people taking math 2 are generally smart so the percentiles are extremely low (an 800 is 70th percentile I believe) and the curve is fairly low. There are a lot of topics to review so get a barron’s book (harder tests than the actual one). One thing that will boost your app is covering the different fields (one in math, history, science, english).

Are you kidding me, a 780 is probably top 1%. While the lit test is hard, this should not be the reason why you refuse to take it. I would recommend taking math 2, physics, any history, and maybe lit (4 seems excessive though, I only took math 2 and physics). Note that you can only take three in one sitting (DO NOT RECOMMEND) so plan on multiple test dates if you want to do more than two.

12

The one thing to determine before making a decision is what is actually required or recommended by the colleges you intend to apply to. For example, you need only two unless applying to Georgetown which strongly recommends three. But which two you need depends on colleges and desired major. For example, if you are applying for engineering or science, many of those that recommend two subject tests also tell you that for those majors, they want to see a math and a science… If applying for a business major, some want one of the test s to be a math. As to other majors, a number mention that they would like to see a subject test related to your requested major, e.g., if applying for history, best is for one of them to be history. So make sure you research the universities you are interested in before deciding what to do.