Help me with SAT/ACT and SAT subject test dates

[Luckymama]

It now looks as though dd will be graduating early. My beautiful testing plan is no more (one ACT and one new SAT this year as a sophomore, hit next year's PSAT hard in hopes of NMF, decide on either a second ACT or SAT as a junior, spread out subject tests).

 

Should she even bother with the SAT since she won't be eligible for NMF?

 

One university (so far) has a EA deadline of Nov. 1. I read that ACT scores can take up to 8 weeks to be out. That would make an ACT testing date of Sept 10 (2016) too tight, correct?

 

She has conflicts with the Dec 2015 and April 2016 ACT dates. Would testing in February and then in June (if needed) work? We often have bad weather n February and would need to drive 30 minutes w/o traffic to the nearest testing site.

 

Is the ACT 'red book' the best for prep, ignoring the old-style essay?

 

For SAT subject tests-----A few schools "strongly recommend" 2 or 3 subject tests (mind you, she'll have 6 APs and 8 university Arabic credits at the end of this school year).

 

Dd's language does not have a test. She is not going into a STEM field. She was going to take Math 2 last June after pre-calc but was ill that whole week. I had planned for US History after next year, but that would be after she applies. Bio E is a possibility for the January testing date, since she'll be done with her bio block in December. Suggestions? She would have to take the tests in January and/or June (no subject tests in March, May's date is smack in the middle of APs).

 

Thanks!

[swimmermom3]

Last year, Sailor Dude did the ACT in March, 4 AP's in May, and 3 SAT Subject tests in June. I am now paying the piper because I did not have him take the Terra Nova test the weekend following the SAT Subject tests. That is not for Oregon homeschooling law, but because our state activities association says he must take it every year in order to swim. :svengo:

 

But I digress. There are eight schools ds will probably apply to.  While several of them are test optional, the wording often still stays "strongly suggested" for ACT/SAT. Nearly all of the schools also require SAT Subject tests.  If testing isn't problematic for your dd and you can find a time to take them that is not problematic, I would encourage you do to them "just in case." 

 

Sailor Dude reviewed a lot for the Math 1 test. He must have that in order to apply to an Oregon state school, so that was a no brainer. He took the subject test for Biology and Literature after taking the AP classes for them. He basically went through the one practice test for each in the big blue Subject practice book and called it good. 

 

He didn't think that doing 3 Subject tests in one day was any worse than taking an AP exam, but that it was kind of weird to start the day with a bunch of other testers and then to be the only one left for the third test.

 

Forgot to say, that if you were taking a Subject test that wasn't aligned with a class, I'd try to do that at an "off time" for testing.

[Luckymama]

Thanks, as always, Lisa :)

 

Anyone else?

[quark]

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[NoPlaceLikeHome]

Are there test prep materials for SAT subject tests like AP test prep or SAT test prep?

[quark]

Are there test prep materials for SAT subject tests like AP test prep or SAT test prep?

 

There are lots.

 

We are using:

College Board Official Guide (blue subject test book) -- but there's only one per test

Will be using:

Barron's for SAT Math 2

 

 

[mjbucks1]

I would check with the school that has the EA date to see when the date of the last ACT they will accept.  Sometimes they will allow for a later arrival of test scores.  If so, I would have her take the ACT in June and then again in September if needed.  Do you know which subject tests she will take?  If she is strong in Literature she could probably take that one this winter, along with Biology.  Then she could take a third in June.  Just my thoughts!  I had my son take take the SAT II's after the corresponding AP tests each June.  Although he took the Math II test after precalculus in the fall of his junior year.

[Kareni]

Also, make sure that the specific SAT subject test you wish to take is offered on the test date you are considering.  Some tests are not offered on all dates.  This is particularly true with foreign languages such as Latin.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[justasque]

It now looks as though dd will be graduating early. My beautiful testing plan is no more (one ACT and one new SAT this year as a sophomore, hit next year's PSAT hard in hopes of NMF, decide on either a second ACT or SAT as a junior, spread out subject tests).

 

Should she even bother with the SAT since she won't be eligible for NMF?

 

 

 

So she will be a senior next year, what would have been her junior year, so not eligible in theory?  I would call the PSAT people and ask about your circumstances.  I've gotten good, sensible, helpful answers from them before by calling - it didn't seem like the mega-company that is the SAT people - more like a small office of people who knew what they were doing and were empowered to advise on out-of-the-box things.  While she will be a senior in the sense that she is graduating, she is still in her 11th year of schooling, if you see what I mean - a junior who is graduating - and I know homeschoolers have asked similar questions in the past and gotten sensible answers.  

 

At some schools the PSAT isn't worth much, but at others it can be worth considerable merit money - enough to warrant a phone call.

[GoodGrief]

You've gotten a lot of good advice.  I would definitely make sure she gets two or more SAT subject tests done, even with the AP exams.  For whatever reason, these tests are pretty important for many schools during the application process (most won't even want the official AP score report for apps, though she will self report.) I'd do Math 2 for sure, and then something in the Lang Arts/Social Sciences category. A third one is not a bad idea, if she can handle it. I think June is a good testing date, because you have a few weeks after AP exams, and there is time to retest if it becomes necessary.

 

In regard to the comment above, for most schools offering NMF scholarships, I believe they apply to new freshman. Since she wouldn't find out status until midway through freshman year, I don't think she could take advantage of most scholarships offered, even if NMSC allowed her testing to count toward the competition.

 

Whether it's worth to take the SAT if she's already taking the ACT...well, maybe. She might score better, relatively speaking, on one format or the other. Really depends on her goals, and what is necessary to get into the schools at which she is looking. I think your February testing date is a good plan. Just plan extra time for driving in the weather :-)