10 replies to this topic

[Devout Techie]

So....Ive been wondering about colleges and SATs. How important are SAT IIs? Do colleges even look at them? What if we do "not so great" on the SAT but amazingly well of a couple of SAT IIs? Will colleges consider them?

[SoLR]

SAT 2's are very important, obviously they're looked at. You should aim to do well on the SAT II's & the regular SAT.

[R. Asher]

SAT II's are important but keep in mind that most students choosing to take them are highly skilled in the specific subject area. Many students take the SAT II following an AP course (especially in Science). Also consider taking the ACT which is growing in use in East coast schools, and is actually given to more students than the SAT on a national scale. The ACT is more content based and the questions are more direct in format. ACT assesses content knowledge where SAT is a logic and reasoning test as well.

[SoLR]

Some schools also require both the SAT and the ACT. I expect that as college admissions grow even more competitive, more schools will require both tests to be taken.

[tycoonboy388]

I never heard of a school that requires both the ACT and the SAT. That sounds rather strange to me, but then again, I've been out of this process for quite awhile.

To answer the original question, most of the really competitive schools in the country require SAT II exams. Usually, they want to see 2 SAT II exams in different subject areas. Additionally, some schools require certain SAT II's. I've seen schools require a foreign language SAT II or a math or science exam. But Mr. Asher's basic advice is correct, you should take SAT II's in subjects where you are very strong because unlike the regular SAT, you are up against the strongest students in each subject. I'd suggest you only take SAT II's in subjects you've at least taken at the Honors level.

[SoLR]

tycoonboy388, on 25 April 2011 - 10:24 PM, said:

I never heard of a school that requires both the ACT and the SAT. That sounds rather strange to me, but then again, I've been out of this process for quite awhile.

To answer the original question, most of the really competitive schools in the country require SAT II exams. Usually, they want to see 2 SAT II exams in different subject areas. Additionally, some schools require certain SAT II's. I've seen schools require a foreign language SAT II or a math or science exam. But Mr. Asher's basic advice is correct, you should take SAT II's in subjects where you are very strong because unlike the regular SAT, you are up against the strongest students in each subject. I'd suggest you only take SAT II's in subjects you've at least taken at the Honors level.

I'm actually 99% certain that Sophie Davis requires both the ACT and SAT.

[SamanthaE]

It is highly recommended to take SATII's.

Start your research into colleges and see which schools require them and which ones do not. You do not want to wait until senior year to rush taking all of your SATIIs.
Most colleges require 2-3. Some even specify which ones they want (often times, it is math and science). Certain college programs such as accelerated med programs or engineering programs require specific ones like physics and chemistry.

[ClEMeNt]

Fee waivers. Oh what to do without them? :S
How long do they last? one whole year? one entire session (1-3 SATII tests?)

Paying 31 bucks with your mom's credit card IS NOT FUN. Dx

[NickC]

ClEMeNt, on 05 May 2011 - 08:56 PM, said:

Fee waivers. Oh what to do without them? :S
How long do they last? one whole year? one entire session (1-3 SATII tests?)

Paying 31 bucks with your mom's credit card IS NOT FUN. Dx

31 dollars is about how much I spend on food if I don't eat on campus lol. Getting use to pouring hard earned money away...

You get the waiver prior to the exam you register for. In other words, you can't take a bunch of waivers and save them for when you need to take your exams.

[Noldi]

31 dollars is a small price to pay for your future

[ClEMeNt]

Noldi, on 13 May 2011 - 02:00 PM, said:

31 dollars is a small price to pay for your future

Unless something happens to that so called future.