SAT Subject Tests - any recent experience?

[agnes!]

They didn't have these when I took the SATs. DD is taking three faint tomorrow. Does anyone know/remember what test day is like for the Subject Tests? I know that all the tests are in one big booklet and I think the kids get to pick the order they take the tests in but I'm not sure....not sure about much with the Subject Tests.

Any recent/fairly-recent experience appreciated.

Thanks,
agnes!

 

[punkin]

I know you can take up to 3 per day, and you don't have to decide until test day which ones they are.

DD took Math 2, English, and world history. Very few colleges she applied to actually required them, but I think good scores can only help in admissions to any college.

BTW, I do not recommend taking more than 2 per day. It is exhausting.

 

[allison443]

My dd took three in one day also. Each test is one hour. She took Math, English, and US History. She took them in May or June of junior year. She had just taken AP tests in US History and English, so figured she had already done a lot of the review.

The tests have been around for a long time in some form or other...back in the dark ages when I graduated hs, they were called Achievement Tests.

Some colleges recommend or require them, and if your dd does well, it can't hurt.

Good luck to her!!

 

[alisonwonderland64]

I took the subject tests a couple years ago...I'm pretty sure I took US History, French, Math 1, and Literature (spread out over two sittings, I think I took 3 in the spring and then 1 in the fall). Three is definitely a lot to take in one day but it's certainly doable. Like you said, the tests are all in one booklet. You can take them in any order you want (and you can take ones other than the one you signed up for, or less than you signed up for I think...I don't think I ever ended up taking exactly the tests that I initially registered for), and the testing period will be divided up into three hour-long segments (if you were to take less than three tests, you can just leave when yours are over). Other than that, it's pretty much the same as all other standardized tests. I personally found most of them to be harder than either the SAT I or AP tests (although I think that's more due to lack of preparation on my part), but they're not weighted as heavily in college admissions I don't think. I didn't do as well on them as I would've liked, but I still ended up at a great school. Of course, if your DD does well, then they'll definitely be helpful to her for admissions. Good luck to her!

 

[agnes!]

Thanks for all the replies & well-wishes. DD has been so busy (as in APs, Finals and too much schoolwork) that she hasn't really had time to study-up for these specific tests. I think she'll do fine and maybe even possibly really well if she just somewhat knows what to expect on test-day.

Any other hips/tips/experiences? Keep 'em coming .
agnes!

 

[dis-happy]

My ds did the subject test in bio last year and chemistry a month ago, so no experience doing 3 tests in one day.

Hint: get there early! It's surprising how much traffic backs up around the high schools on SAT days.

Submitting the tests are optional, so if your child isn't thrilled with a certain score you never even have to send it to a college. However, some colleges require SAT II tests, so it's good to have them on file if necessary.

Finally, when the score is available in a few weeks, you can compare it to the average scores for the year. Kind of helpful to see how you did overall.

PS. My ds says each test has its own booklet but the answer book (where you shade in the answers) has space for all 3 tests (you specify which test you're taking at the top of each section). You do get to choose the order.