ljbnu84

Son just got back results from his first SAT testing (May 6). 2190 composite (CR 720, M 670, W 800, essay=11). It's a great score, but the 2190 composite is somewhat "skewed" by the 800 on the writing portion. Unfortunately, many schools only seem to consider the CR + M composite, especially for merit scholarships (many seem to be looking for a "magic" 1400 CR + M composite for merit $ and some out-of-state tuition waivers, his CR + M is a 1390). Based on a perfect CR score on the PSAT, he feels can improve the CR score some, hopefully math some, too, but hard to say! He took the US History SAT II last year and got an 800, plans to take two more SAT II's, at some point.

Here's the question: should he re-take the SAT Reasoning June 6, so he knows what score he's dealing with, this summer, when he's working on college apps. OR, would it be better to take two more SAT II's on June 6, while the subject matter is fresh... then, re-take the SAT Reasoning again in the fall? He'll be away on foreign study next year, leaving in August, so his opportunities to take/re-take the tests are somewhat limited, although the tests are offered, in the fall, where he'll be going--just don't know how easy it'll be logistically, so wondering if it might be best to try to improve SAT Reasoning score, then worry about the SAT II's in the fall, or vice versa? An aside, he doesn't have much time to prep for the SAT Reasoning, with end-of-year exams, but the SAT II's don't require prep, so maybe a better choice now?

Wondering what others would advise... he's registered for the June 6 SAT I, but the Collegeboard site says you can switch "day of test" to take Subject tests, if you get to testing site early (except for foreign language with listening).

Thanks... we keep going back and forth on this! Input is appreciated.

HighlandMom

Even though he's fresh from taking the school courses, he'll want to do some practice tests for any subject tests he takes in June. Which would he be more motivated to study over the summer? Which does he feel more motivated to take NOW (well, in 10 days). Really it's not that much time to do very much preparing, so whichever he feels the most prepared for NOW would be the way to go.

You may be like us and wish the CB would offer SATs in the summer, or at least something between early June and October.

ljbnu84

Yes, it's crazy they don't offer anything in the summer, in my opinion! I hadn't realized that, initially. He took the SAT II in US History (on his teacher's advice) right after he finished the AP exam last year... he ended up with a 5 on the AP exam, so that served him well. Right now, he's finishing up Honors Brit Lit and took Honors Am Lit last year, so I guess I'm figuring that's his "prep" for the SAT II in lit... he'd have to think about which other SAT II to take. He's finishing Honors Physics and pre-calc now. sp maybe one of those? His AP's this year were Micro & Macro Econ, and AP US Gov, none of which correspond with SAT II subject tests. Don't know how important the subject tests will be, to him, either, depending where he applies... but don't want to ignore them. Seriously looking for the possibility of some merit $$ or out-of-state waivers from some schools where he's looking at the honors programs... "1400 CR + M" seems to be a big deal for that. He's thinking maybe a 10 or 20 point (maybe more?) increase might be possible in Critical Reading without much prep. Math would take more prep, I think, for him to improve.

HighlandMom

Maybe have him take some math practice tests - use a timer - and see how he does. My d did sections of the SAT (25-30 minutes) each day for several weeks. Hope he has a clear calendar next week

Maybe have a look at the schools he's considering who offer merit aid for 1400+ .... do they even require subject tests? In general I would say most schools are more interested in the reasoning than the subject tests. But that's a generalization