SparklyUnicorn Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I didn't even know this was a real thing. What are they like? What helps the most to prepare for them (other than the obvious of studying the subject tested)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 They are one hour multiple choice exams. You can take up to three in one day. Studying the subject is necessary, of course, but one needs also targeted test prep with a specific SAT2 test prep book, so student is familiar with the format. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumto2 Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Look at the college board website. I think there is one sample test per subject for free there. We have a stack of library prep books that we are using and plan to take the college board ones a couple of days before the tests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 For your reading pleasure :D https://sat.collegeboard.org/about-tests/sat-subject-tests Some universities and colleges require subject tests from every applicant. Since we have no idea yet where dd might wish to apply, we are hedging our bets and having her take three subject tests as they match her course of study. The closer the test is to the course's finish, the better. She will take the Math 2 test this May or June after finishing precalculus. She will take one of the two biology choices after finishing a block semester of biology next fall. Her third exam will come from US History or World History or English, her choice, whenever the timing works. Dd's language (Arabic) does not have a corresponding test, otherwise she might do that. A math, a science, and a humanities test shows ability across disciplines. It will also validate her transcript grades. The subject tests are given every SAT test date but for the March date. Languages are not given as often, so one needs to be aware of the schedule. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 My understanding is that they're the modern version of the old "achievement tests" from the College Board. I had no idea I had taken such a thing until I was cleaning out some old papers from high school (mid-80s) and I came across some scores. Also there was a very helpful thread not too long ago - I think it was this one: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/540226-sat-2subject-test-strategy/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 For your reading pleasure :D https://sat.collegeboard.org/about-tests/sat-subject-tests Some universities and colleges require subject tests from every applicant. Since we have no idea yet where dd might wish to apply, we are hedging our bets and having her take three subject tests as they match her course of study. The closer the test is to the course's finish, the better. She will take the Math 2 test this May or June after finishing precalculus. She will take one of the two biology choices after finishing a block semester of biology next fall. Her third exam will come from US History or World History or English, her choice, whenever the timing works. Dd's language (Arabic) does not have a corresponding test, otherwise she might do that. A math, a science, and a humanities test shows ability across disciplines. It will also validate her transcript grades. The subject tests are given every SAT test date but for the March date. Languages are not given as often, so one needs to be aware of the schedule. Yeah I'm thinking of DS taking at least one of the math and one from the science list (probably chemistry). I think that's enough. I don't want to test the poor kid to death. I've got a lot of plans for him. LOL 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Yeah I'm thinking of DS taking at least one of the math and one from the science list (probably chemistry). I think that's enough. I don't want to test the poor kid to death. I've got a lot of plans for him. LOL From what I've heard, if he plans on the Math2 test at some point, it is unnecessary to take the Math1 test. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 From what I've heard, if he plans on the Math2 test at some point, it is unnecessary to take the Math1 test. Yeah, it's either 1 or 2, not both. Students going into STEM fields should take Math 2. Since we're not sure where dd will end up, she's going to take Math 2. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 From what I've heard, if he plans on the Math2 test at some point, it is unnecessary to take the Math1 test. Ok. I figure either one can't be a bad thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in NY Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Interesting thoughts on Math I vs II in the first paragraph here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Interesting thoughts on Math I vs II in the first paragraph here. Ah interesting. His dream school specifically requires 1 and says it does not prefer one over the other. (He has a better shot of being struck by lightening than getting in, but I figure it's a decent guideline to work towards that will either way leave him with options.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 From what I've heard, if he plans on the Math2 test at some point, it is unnecessary to take the Math1 test. Hubby is thinking of letting the kids take Math 1 as a trial run since the test fees are affordable and we don't need to keep the scores if they didn't do well :lol: We are leaning towards SAT subject tests instead of AP as we don't fancy hunting for AP test sites. Many SAT test sites near to me. We are getting their DMV non-drivers ID done :) ETA: We probably have to DE for quite a few subjects. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Hubby is thinking of letting the kids take Math 1 as a trail run since the test fees are affordable and we don't need to keep the scores if they didn't do well :lol: We are leaning towards SAT subject tests instead of AP as we don't fancy hunting for AP test sites. Many SAT test sites near to me. We are getting their DMV non-drivers ID done :) Exactly what I'm thinking regarding SAT instead of AP. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J'swife Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 When are they taking it? It's changing next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 When are they taking it? It's changing next year. The SAT subject tests??? I have not heard anything about them changing. The student should take the test upon completion of the course. Taking it a year later is not a good idea. One advantage of the subject tests over AP is that there are several test dates throughout the year, except for languages (there is only one date with listening and one without). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 When are they taking it? It's changing next year. He's 13, so not all that soon, but I want to have a solid plan in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 The SAT subject tests??? I have not heard anything about them changing. The student should take the test upon completion of the course. Taking it a year later is not a good idea. One advantage of the subject tests over AP is that there are several test dates throughout the year, except for languages (there is only one date with listening and one without). Does it matter if they take it long before they graduate from high school? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Interesting thoughts on Math I vs II in the first paragraph here. For starters, both tests are much more subject-based that the SAT and test students on topics they are learning in school. The level 2 exam is a bit more challenging that the level 1 exam and usually is recommended for students in a pre-Calculus course. HOWEVER (and this is a big however), the Level 2 exam has a MUCH MUCH MUCH easier grading curve than the Level 1 exam. Essentially you can leave several questions blank (or get some questions wrong) and still get a perfect score on the exam. Because of this cushion, a lot of students will actually perform better on the Level 2 exam than the Level 1 exam. Not sure what this has to do with "myths" since the difference in the curves is a widely known fact. The bolded info is problematic. Students should not be in a precalculus course when taking the SAT math 2, they should have completed one. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Does it matter if they take it long before they graduate from high school? Define "long". If they take it before 9th grade, they need to petition the college board to keep the score (at least that's how it works for the regular SAT), otherwise it is deleted. DD took her subject tests in 10th and 11th grade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenNC Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Be aware that the SAT subject tests and AP tests aren't equivalent. The SAT subject tests test high school level material. The AP tests cover intro college material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Define "long". If they take it before 9th grade, they need to petition the college board to keep the score (at least that's how it works for the regular SAT), otherwise it is deleted. DD took her subject tests in 10th and 11th grade. I wasn't thinking before 10th so that should work then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 When are they taking it? It's changing next year. Are you maybe thinking of the SAT reasoning test? That includes a math and reading/writing and is being revised effective spring 2016. SAT Subject Tests are on specific subjects (ie German, physics, math). I've not seen a notice of a big revision to the Subject tests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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