SAT Subject Test Question

[Anonymous]

What if a college says that it requires the SAT, the ACT or three SAT subject tests? Of course DC will take the SAT/ACT, but would you recommend taking SAT subject tests in that case? (I understand officially they would not be required.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if a college says that it requires the SAT, the ACT or three SAT subject tests? Of course DC will take the SAT/ACT, but would you recommend taking SAT subject tests in that case? (I understand officially they would not be required.)

That sounds like a test-flexible school. So, you would only need the subject tests if you weren't happy with the SAT or ACT score.

[Anonymous]

Everything I have seen and heard says that subject tests are not really optional for UMC kids applying to SLACs, even if that’s the school’s official policy. Unless the school says “not considered” your UMC kid will be at a disadvantage if they don’t submit.

It’s “optional” because SLACs are trying to reduce barriers to entry for first gen and URM kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD is looking at SLACs. Most did not request SAT subject tests. Only one says they are “considered.” Do they really need to take them? Other than Ivy and Georgetown, which schools care about them?

Not many schools still care about them. (It is always important to check the standardized test requirements directly on the college's website.)

I would not fall to the trap laid by those schools that say they won't require test scores. If you don't submit them, they automatically assume your scores are bad because they know you most likely took the test since many schools you would apply to still require test scores. Imagine you are competing with some other kids that are as good as you in every other aspect but they have good test scores and you don't, which ones would you choose if you were the admission officer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD is looking at SLACs. Most did not request SAT subject tests. Only one says they are “considered.” Do they really need to take them? Other than Ivy and Georgetown, which schools care about them?

Not many schools still care about them. (It is always important to check the standardized test requirements directly on the college's website.)

I would not fall to the trap laid by those schools that say they won't require test scores. If you don't submit them, they automatically assume your scores are bad because they know you most likely took the test since many schools you would apply to still require test scores. Imagine you are competing with some other kids that are as good as you in every other aspect but they have good test scores and you don't, which ones would you choose if you were the admission officer?

This is why schools still accept test scores even when they do not require them. If they really don't consider test scores in their decisions, they would not accept the test scores at all. It's just a gimmick to attract more students to apply so they can drive down their acceptance rate.

[Anonymous]

If they care about them, they will at least say "recommend." If they don't recommend but only consider, or they're optional, then they don't have a significant role in the process.

My kid did not submit and was accepted to all 5 schools he applied to, without any subject test scores, some of which "consider" and where subject tests are "optional." Unless the student is trying to beef up some academic angle, I don't believe they are necessary unless the college says they're required or recommended. I realize others disagree, but I honestly do not believe these make the difference. Otherwise, colleges would have NOT changed this very policy on their websites over the last few years -- for years, many colleges said "recommended" and now they do not.

[Anonymous]

I've posted this on other threads about subject tests.

My DC took and submitted a Math 2 subject test when applying this year. This was to try and counteract a low final grade in a 10th-grade math class (C-). DC wanted to show that they had rebounded and mastered the content.

DC was applying to selective SLACs (<25% admit rates).

[Anonymous]

I think it depends. My DD did not take any subject tests. She hates standardized tests. She took the ACT only once. But, she had 5s on all AP exams, which were required by her school. Not sure the subject test would have mattered. Would be more important where there is a weak grade or low AP score or nothing that could be used to compare to other applicants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s no point in the SAT 2 if you’ll have the AP exam in the subject. The AP score is more important.

Wrong. A number of schools want SAT Subject Tests. MIT, Harvey Mudd require them. Carnegie Mellon recommends the SAT Math 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s no point in the SAT 2 if you’ll have the AP exam in the subject. The AP score is more important.

Wrong. A number of schools want SAT Subject Tests. MIT, Harvey Mudd require them. Carnegie Mellon recommends the SAT Math 2.

Look at the questions on past subject tests vs AP exams (on College Board website). They are very different and test different things. Subject tests are used at some very selective colleges to try and find some differences between applicants when so many students’ SAT scores are between 1560 and 1600.