SAT subject tests?

[Anonymous]

DS is only in 9th grade, but APUSH teacher is encouraging all his students to take US history SAT subject test as well as AP exam, since presumably they'll all be prepared for it. Any down side to taking it so early? Newbie question: How and when do colleges/universities see these scores?

[Anonymous]

don't do it unless you are confident your son will score well, or will apply to schools with score choice. Some schools want to see all test results....

[Anonymous]

We were advised that students taking AP or advanced level courses should take SAT subject tests immediately after completion of those classes while the content is still fresh. It is only a one-hour test I believe. If the scores are solid, it is good to include with college applications as supplemental information. Schools only see them if you send them in. My DD will be taking US History course this year after taking the AP class - however she is in 10th.

[Anonymous]

as I said before, some schools REQUIRE all test results...they find out you didn't send them, your application goes nowhere

[Anonymous]

My DC did that as did most of the apush class. Be aware though that the subjec test requires its own prep. DC didn't really prep, thinking the AP prep would be enough, and didn't do very well. Prepped later (just the prep book/sample tests) and did much better. DC got a 5 on the apush AP so was definitely prepared for that test.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do it unless your DS just loves US history. He would be competing against junior and seniors taking those tests to apply to a very small number of elite colleges and as pp noted, would need to do a separate test prep. (Juniors and seniors tend to score much better on the SAT tests just because they have more academics behind them).

If your DS strong suit is math or the sciences it is very likely that the subject test he will eventually need to take math II and bio or chem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:as I said before, some schools REQUIRE all test results...they find out you didn't send them, your application goes nowhere

Name some schools that require ALL test results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:as I said before, some schools REQUIRE all test results...they find out you didn't send them, your application goes nowhere

Name some schools that require ALL test results.

Not pp but I recall the Penn and Boston College did. It's mostly ivies and a few others. Probably about 15 total so I really would worry about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't do it unless your DS just loves US history. He would be competing against junior and seniors taking those tests to apply to a very small number of elite colleges and as pp noted, would need to do a separate test prep. (Juniors and seniors tend to score much better on the SAT tests just because they have more academics behind them).

If your DS strong suit is math or the sciences it is very likely that the subject test he will eventually need to take math II and bio or chem.

The junior/senior thing doesn't really apply to subject tests. They are content oriented not general knowledge. Prep is still required of course.

US history is a hard one though. Highish scores are still modest percentiles. Some subject tests skew this way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:as I said before, some schools REQUIRE all test results...they find out you didn't send them, your application goes nowhere

Name some schools that require ALL test results.

Not pp but I recall the Penn and Boston College did. It's mostly ivies and a few others. Probably about 15 total so I really would worry about it.

duke, stanford

[Anonymous]

Don't bother with SAT subject tests at all unless your kid will be looking at Ivies or other top 20 schools. (And they are optional even for many of these.) Don't waste your money.

Absolutely maddening the schools want to see both AP and subject tests. It's a racket. Colleges are totally in bed with the College Board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't bother with SAT subject tests at all unless your kid will be looking at Ivies or other top 20 schools. (And they are optional even for many of these.) Don't waste your money.

Absolutely maddening the schools want to see both AP and subject tests. It's a racket. Colleges are totally in bed with the College Board.

schools don't see AP scores. it's self-reported.

[Anonymous]

the schools see the AP's you take Junior year and prior, if they ask for all scores...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:the schools see the AP's you take Junior year and prior, if they ask for all scores...

Uh... I don't think so. Not AP scores. All scores mean SAT/ACT/SAT II. Can you provide a link where AP scores are specifically requested?

[Anonymous]

Have him take the test, if he feels he is ready. My DC took bio sat in the end of 9th grade, scored 750.

Dont buy that "test optional" bs. Admissions are so competitive that you want as many tests and AP scores as possible. It is all wishful thinking that GPA alone will get you in a school of your dreams.