SAT Subject Test Question

[Anonymous]

High school Junior taking SAT Subj tests on June 1 for SLAC but a STEM interest major.

Which of the three should she take: Physics, Math 2, Latin, US History

in calc AB, Physics, AP USH and Latin 3 this year. Will take Latin AP next year.

Does it make sense to take Latin in Dec? But then she'd only take one additional test that period. Or is there one that can be dropped and get them all done June 1?

TIA - need advice

[Anonymous]

I would get the big book of all subject test (by College Board, at amazon). I'd suggest math 2, Latin and whichever of USH or physics looks the easiest to score high on after trying a practice test. (Note that AP Physics 1 is not great prep for the physics subject test due to differences in breadth.)

A book for Latin subject test prep https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0738602531/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Anonymous]

Should take practice tests in Latin and Physics and take whichever is better. Math 2 and is history are more predictable

[Anonymous]

I think Math 2 covers everything through Pre Calc, so she probably shouldn't wait longer to take that one.

[Anonymous]

Check your list of "target colleges" some require three SAT Subject tests (Georgetown) and others may have suggestions based on your intended major.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

PP is wrong. Many schools require SAT subject tests irrespective of AP scores.

[Anonymous]

I have a kid at TJ looking at a STEM based major at a SLAC. Consistent advice from the school (which is good at knowing this stuff) is: Math 2, most closely aligned science subject (so physics in your case), and strongest humanities subject.

English Lit and Latin are both cited as more impressive than US History. But only if the score is high. A crappy score does you no good.

Unless your kid is applying to a school that requires all scores to be submitted, I’d have them do Math 2, Physics and Latin. If the Latin is meh, retake next year with some Latin 2, plus another humanities and submit the best score. Submit the highest humanities out of the bunch.

Also, if your kid is in AB Calc, don’t let them go into Math 2 cold. It will cover Math they haven’t seen for a while and they might need a quick refresh.

And beware than most first year physics curriculums don’t teach all the topics the college board tests. Even at TJ. I literally have a kid in the backseat studying for the physics SAT now on the way home from spring break.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

My son was a good Latin student and took AP Latin junior year. We were surprised when he took a practice Latin SAT subject test and did not do well. His counselor said that the Latin test is notoriously difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son was a good Latin student and took AP Latin junior year. We were surprised when he took a practice Latin SAT subject test and did not do well. His counselor said that the Latin test is notoriously difficult.

So is English Lit. That’s why the scores from Latin and Lit count for more.

[Anonymous]

Word of caution Op. when deciding tests to send or take, look at percentile, not just raw number. 800 on the Math 2 is around 79% (21% of kids get an 800). 800 on English Is 97-98%. There is a huge variation. All 750s are not created equal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Word of caution Op. when deciding tests to send or take, look at percentile, not just raw number. 800 on the Math 2 is around 79% (21% of kids get an 800). 800 on English Is 97-98%. There is a huge variation. All 750s are not created equal.

College admission officers are aware of this, and yet they do not cross-reference percentiles. They look at scores. 750 on math 2 is fine for all but Caltech/MIT.

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

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?

If they say require or recommend, then you need them. Just "considered," then no, you would not need them, barring some special circumstance like trying to show competence despite a deficiency elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

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.)