SAT Subject Tests?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP tests are different from subject tests. For the OP, some schools require subject testts so you have to look at the schools your child is interested in. A state flagship rarely requires subject tests.

Except UVA, which requires 2.

Penn State also required one or two, can't remember. Same for Purdue.

[Anonymous]

If colleges think SATIIs are better assessments of aptitude, why don't they come out and say that?

SAT IIs, which have also been called Subject Tests and Achievement Tests, are tests of what the typical high school course in a subject should cover. They are not aptitude tests and the descriptions of them have always made clear that they are not aptitude tests. They are tests of what the student has learned, not how the student learns.

[Anonymous]

No one has mentioned that when a school asks for subject tests, they list the tests they'd like.

[Anonymous]

Kids can take the subject tests in the fall of Senior year, is that right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids can take the subject tests in the fall of Senior year, is that right?

Mine took them spring of Junior year right after the class. Some take a few at the end of sophomore year if they are taking Precalculus that year or not planning on taking AP chemistry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's all such a racket. Thanks, higher ed, for imposing yet MORE testing on students.

Here's a question. The "elite" colleges expect you to take AP classes, which have their own tests. If my kid takes AP biology and AP physics, why should she also take SATII in these subjects? If she aces the AP Spanish test, why does she needs to take the SAT subject test in Spanish? IF she takes APUSH, why also SATII in US history? If she takes AP World History and AP Literature, why should she also have to take (and pay for) SATII?

If colleges think SATIIs are better assessments of aptitude, why don't they come out and say that? Because that wouldn't play well with the College Board?

This whole enterprise stinks to high heaven.

This is my beef, too. DC1 took APs and SAT2s to get into a first choice college. DC sent the AP test scores in with the application, and probably this helped DC get in. But this particular college doesn't give credit for APs. So really, all the APs were useful for was the application. The SATIIs were totally redundant, but the SATIIs and not the AP scores were what the college required for admissions.

I guess some learning went on in the AP classes. But all this testing was redundant.

[Anonymous]

OP here again. Do the kids take test prep classes for the subject tests or just study their course material?

I haven't heard any advice about these from our school so appreciate your advising us.

[Anonymous]

I think kids usually self-study SAT IIs and APs. I am sure, however, if you are willing to pay, there's someone who is willing to "help."

[Anonymous]

Some engineering programs require Math II as well as Biology and either Chem or Physics.

My kid took one of these after freshman year because he was in an advanced class and it prepared him for it. Key is take it right after the class ends when the knowledge is fresh. As close to the final exam as possilble. Not a big deal to do one at a time (versus multiple ones in a sitting). One allows focus.

In our experience, the other key is practice tests. Do some due diligence about the different guidebooks out there and how good they are -- both the substantive part and the practice tests -- there are threads on this on college confidential. The practice tests differ quite a bit -- some are very difficult, others too easy. It varies from subject to subject. Also, the range of scores varies quite a bit -- a 750 on one may mean a certain percentile on Math II but not on Physics. The College Board book, which has a sample of each actual subject test, will give you that info. That book also contains some guidance on what is covered by each test.

Some test prep places have a large collection of old practice tests either real ones or produced by companies like Barrons. If they are good, they will also know how the different private practice tests stack up.

Two kids, each followed a different routine. Kid 1 went through a test prep book and did the practice tests. Outcome fine but not excellent.

Kid #2 did mjch more with truly excellent results, and great improvement off of original scores. That method:

1. Research which is the best book for the test and buy it. If Barrons has the best substantive section (explaining the concepts) and someone else has the best practice tests, buy both.
2. Do the diagnostic test in the front of the book(s). Score it (them) and figure out the weak areas. Study those areas.
3. Review all the areas covered on the test as described in the books. If there is an area that was not covered in your class on that subject, roll up your sleeves and learn it well.
4. Take many, many practice tests. Write out the answers missed and keep track of them. Study those concepts again. Taking many practices will allow the student to be more comfortable with the pacing and format of the questions.
5. Get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast the day of the test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids can take the subject tests in the fall of Senior year, is that right?

You need to take them before college apps are submitted

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP tests are different from subject tests. For the OP, some schools require subject testts so you have to look at the schools your child is interested in. A state flagship rarely requires subject tests.

Except UVA, which requires 2.

Penn State also required one or two, can't remember. Same for Purdue.

Penn Stats does not require SAT subject tests.

[Anonymous]

OP with another question: Does Mathematics 2 test anything above precalc? That is, should my DC, who is currently in precalc as a sophomore, take that test now, or wait until finishing B/C Calc next year?

You guys are a great help!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP with another question: Does Mathematics 2 test anything above precalc? That is, should my DC, who is currently in precalc as a sophomore, take that test now, or wait until finishing B/C Calc next year?

You guys are a great help!

Pre-Calc is enough for SAT II, Math II. Calc BC is not needed.

[Anonymous]

You don't want to wait for the Math II as the material is not covered at all in Calc BC. I think there's only one Subject test date left before the summer break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't want to wait for the Math II as the material is not covered at all in Calc BC. I think there's only one Subject test date left before the summer break.

That's what I was afraid of. DC wants to take the regular SAT in its old format, and I agree will do best with that, but the subject tests weren't on our radar at all. Thanks for the advice!