Student Recommends SAT II

In order to get into most Ivy League and selective colleges, a student may need to take some SAT II subject tests. Ivy League and selective colleges often use SAT II subject tests in the admissions process and for placement in classes at the college once the student has been accepted at the school. I benefited from taking several SAT II subject tests. As a result of my performance on some SAT II tests, when I enrolled in college this fall, I did not have to take any placement exams and had met the requirements of freshman level courses required by my school and I was able to take higher level courses in subjects that I really enjoy.

The SAT I is basically a verbal and math test designed to measure how well a student reads and thinks. It does not measure rather what you actually know. The SAT II is very different. It's designed to measure exactly what you know about specific subjects. The SAT II subject tests measures your aptitude in the following subjects:

Languages

Chinese
Chinese with Listening
French
German
German with Listening
Spanish
Spanish with Listening
Modern Hebrew
Italian
Latin
Japanese with Listening
Korean with Listening
English

Literature
History and Social Studies


U.S. History (formerly American History and Social Studies)

World History

Mathematics

Mathematics Level I (formerly Mathematics IC)
Mathematics Level II (formerly Mathematics IIC)

Science

Biology E/M
Chemistry
Physics

The SAT II exams are offered on the same day as the SAT I. A student can take a maximum of three SAT II tests at one time. However, taking more than two SAT II subject tests on the same day is not recommended. The tests are very difficult and it can be very stressful trying to take two or more subject tests on one day that are very different from one another.

Students should take SAT II subject tests in subject areas in which they have excelled. If the student is a strong history student, I recommend that you take the US history and World History exams. A student who is great at math should take one of the math SAT II exams.

It is very important to check the SAT II requirements of the schools where you may want to apply. Make sure the information about the school’s SAT II requirements is current because school requirements may vary from year to year. Generally, schools that require the SAT II require a minimum of two subject tests in addition to the SAT I. Some of them may have very specific requirements.

June is the best time to take SAT II Subject Tests because that is generally when students finish with the classes for the year. Students should take the SAT II as soon as they complete a class in any of the SAT II subjects.

SAT II Subject tests last an hour and, except for the Writing Test, consist entirely of multiple-choice questions. The Writing Test has a 20-minute essay section in addition to a 40-minute multiple-choice section.

Feel free to contact College Knowledge at collegeknowledge10@hotmail.com if you have questions about SATs II tests, or visit collegeboard.com.