Math 1 or 2 subject test?

[Grantmom]

DS is taking the math SAT subject test this weekend.  Do you think one is viewed better than the other?  The schools say they don't care, that they just want one or the other.  He feels like the Math 2 is better because more people score highly on the Math 1.  I am thinking it is probably better to do the one you'd get the highest score on.  He only has one more date open to take it, this Saturday, so he can't try both.  Thanks for any perspectives on this.

[Arcadia]

Math 2 is the required/strongly encouraged subject test for engineering so I won’t go for Math 1. Math 2 has a more generous grading curve as well. When my oldest took Math 2, a score of 800 puts him at the 80th percentile. So approximately 20% of candidates score 800 points.

 

From UCB Engineering webpage

“Freshmen must take the ACT Assessment plus Writing or the SAT Reasoning Test. Engineering applicants are also strongly encouraged to take the SAT Subject Test in Math Level 2 as well as a SAT Subject Test in science (Biology E.M., Chemistry or Physics) in order to be as competitive as possible.â€

http://engineering.berkeley.edu/admissions/undergrad-admissions/prospective-freshman-faqs

 

From Caltech

“The following standardized test are required for a complete freshman application. We do not accept any substitutes for these tests.

 

SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing

SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2

1 SAT science subject test: biology (ecological), biology (molecular), chemistry, or physics†http://www.admissions.caltech.edu/content/standardized-tests

[snowbeltmom]

If he has had pre-calc, I would have him take the Math Level II exam.  Good luck on Saturday!

[MarkT]

DS is taking the math SAT subject test this weekend.  Do you think one is viewed better than the other?  The schools say they don't care, that they just want one or the other.  He feels like the Math 2 is better because more people score highly on the Math 1.  I am thinking it is probably better to do the one you'd get the highest score on.  He only has one more date open to take it, this Saturday, so he can't try both.  Thanks for any perspectives on this.

Depends on the desired future major - if STEM he should take Math 2 if he feels prepared.

[Grantmom]

Okay, thanks, all.  He is doing Calc BC this year.  I was encouraging him to consider taking the Math 1 if he did better on it, but it sounds like he should definitely take Math 2, as he wants to do engineering or physics.  I'm glad I asked the wise ones here!  Thanks all.  

[EKS]

DS is taking the math SAT subject test this weekend.  Do you think one is viewed better than the other?  The schools say they don't care, that they just want one or the other.  He feels like the Math 2 is better because more people score highly on the Math 1.  I am thinking it is probably better to do the one you'd get the highest score on.  He only has one more date open to take it, this Saturday, so he can't try both.  Thanks for any perspectives on this.

 

Can you not take both in the same sitting?  If you can, I'd take the harder one first.

[regentrude]

math 1 has less material but a brutal curve.

math 2 covers more material but the curve is more forgiving.

I see no reason to opt for math 1 at all.

Edited November 28, 2017 by regentrude

[MarkT]

Can you not take both in the same sitting?  If you can, I'd take the harder one first.

I believe you have to pay for two anyways so maybe take Math 1 second but not my cup of tea maybe another subject is needed

if you have to pay for each one then I would only do Math 2 because of the other discussion here

[Arcadia]

He is doing Calc BC this year. I was encouraging him to consider taking the Math 1 if he did better on it, but it sounds like he should definitely take Math 2, as he wants to do engineering or physics.

Did he convert the raw scores on the practice test to scaled scores? My oldest thought he didn’t do well until he realized he could have up to 5 questions wrong and still get a scaled score of 800 on the practice test. It was less stressful for him on test day knowing that he did not need to get all correct to have a chance at getting 800. Younger boy didn’t get 800 but his score is good enough for most engineering schools.

 

Your son could actually take both tests on the same day by paying for one more subject test on the day itself. Take the calculator that your son is most comfortable using. Math 1 and Math 2 are the only subject tests that allows calculator usage.

 

ETA:

Is your son taking another subject test with math? My older boy was okay with two subject tests on the same morning but I don’t think he could have taken a third subject test because he was hungry and tired after the second.

Edited November 28, 2017 by Arcadia

[Grantmom]

He is taking physics at the same time, so that would make three tests at once.  I think he's going to just try to prep as much as he can this week and do Math 2.  I will ask him about the scaled score, that's a good point.  I'm not sure if he did that with his practice test or not.