I’ve been told that I should take subject tests based on my prospective major. I’m going to major in psychology and I want to take only two subject tests. I’m thinking maybe BioE but I’ve also heard that it is recommended to take BioM over BioE. I would take Math II but I’m a junior and I’m taking Algebra II/Trig this year so I don’t think I would be prepared enough to take that test. I’ve heard that to be the most prepared for that test you should have taken precalc. Any advice would be appreciated!
Give us a list of all the classes you have taken and any extra information that would help us make a decision. There is not nearly enough information to give you a concrete answer.
Sorry about that
Three years of English (a general English class, Early American Literature, and British Literature)
Three years of advanced Spanish (Spanish 2, 3, and 4)
Three years of History (World, European, and American)
Three years of advanced Science (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics)
Three years of math (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II/Trig)
My school doesn’t have any electives or AP classes, I’m taking one of the highest rigor schedules you can have in my school. These are all honors classes.
Take English and the last Science that you have taken. If you are really good in Math, take Math 2 - but practice it a lot. Best of luck!
Okay thank you for the advice!
Hmmmm… I’d say you probably need to compensate for your school’s lack of AP classes. Colleges will be looking to see if you’re challenging yourself, plus they like a good sampling of standardized tests to make sure you’re capable of handling high-level courses a variety of areas. Because of this, I’d aim to take at least 4 subject tests, with at least one in every area. So: English, the last Science you took, the last History you took, and Math 1 (or Math 2 if you’re good at math).
While it’s true precalc is good to have under your belt for Math 2, since you are taking trig I am sure you should be good enough to go for it. I never had a separate trig class, so I’m not really sure what you are learning but sin and cos showed up a lot when I took it. I would take a practice test (not Barron’s- that while annihilate all you hopes and dreams) and see how it goes and if there are any concept gaps.
I also took BioE after not having any Bio classes for a year and a half and did great- it just took a little bit more studying. I spent some of the summer between my junior and senior year studying for it. I don’t think M or E really matters- I chose E over M because to me cells are boring and my prospective major is Environmental Science.
I do not agree with Cramcrastinator- 4 subject tests are super expensive and sounds excessive and would suck up all your time. I think it would be better to really make sure you nail 2-3. However, I am fortunate enough to have AP classes offered at my school, so I have never encountered a problem like this.