tariqx

I'm taking the SAT subject test on the 5th of October ; Literature , Physics and Math I ... I'm quite good in physics and Math , I toke the toughest classes . Is the Literature test hard for someone who's considered as an avid reader ? I read different kinds of books from Alexander Pope's criticism , Aristotle to Goethe and Dante ... I couldnt buy any lit preparation book , because of shipping , it takes a month...

And how hard is the Math and the Physics test ?

I'm applying to Harvard , MIT , Princeton and Yale, is it required to take the Math II ?

I realized that many people take the tests more than once , could someone take the tests once and do very well ?
I'm aiming for 800 in each section , so...

Cordialement

thirdfloor

If you're an avid reader then your reading comprehension should be sufficient for the literature SAT II. However, you'll want to brush up on poetry--understanding of it, terminology, and poetic devices. Poetry on the SAT II is pretty diverse in scope, so if you have a good grasp of the fundamentals and you can recognize poetic techniques you'll be in a good position to score 700+.

It's definitely possible to score an 800 in one sitting, and most people don't take an SAT II more than once.

tariqx

I read poetry too , and I'm able to interpret and undestand it... I just toke some peterson 10 question practice test , and I answered all the question correctly.

I'm taking the SAT II and the reasoning test for the first time too.


Thank you

cherry0809

as far as i know, we are not encouraged to take math I as it is 'bloody easy'. may give impression that you are not 'academically challenged'

motus

Honestly, they should just get rid of the Math I test as it is pretty pointless, imo.

As for the SAT II Literature, you should be fine as long as you can read and decipher a lot of hard literature and poetry.

phade

The SAT II isn't solely interpretation so I suggest, like someone else already did, that you familiarize yourself with literary terms and definitions. It isn't a huge part of the test but if you **** it up your score will obviously suffer so why risk it. When I say literary terms I mean things like alliteration, that one is an easy one but I couldn't think of a better example.

Bescraze

its hard, I got an 800 on CR and W if that gives you an idea about my skills and I got a 690 on my lit SAT II. Admittedly, this was not a good test for me as I score around 730 on practice tests, but it is much harder than SAT I stuff, because at least for me poetry can be a problem. My advice is just look over some poetry questions...thats what I am doing to brush up for my retake.

tariqx

I toke the most challenging courses available here , Math , Physics and 2 Electronics and Computer science classes. So maybe that would replace the Math I...

And I never had any problem with poetry and Literature , since I write and read poetry quite often. I'm familiar with literary terminology from other languages too...

I'll try to find some practice questions ...

And Bescraze , can you give me an advice on how did you study in order to get 800 in CR and W ? ( I hope you scored it from the first time , cause that's what I'm intending to do )


Thanks

Bescraze

My first test I got a 750 Cr and a 780 W (second time 2 800s). I never really did prep for cr, since it was always kind of my thing. I just took a bunch of full timed tests over the months I prepped so I naturally worked on it. For writing its extremely easy, from my first ever test (practice) I probably improved by about 300 points, since its all about learning some very simple and basic rules. Literally spending a week and a few hours can get you all set for W and then its just luck of the draw if you get a 750 or an 800. On the test I got an 800, I didn't miss one question. So learn the rules and it will be no problem....Everyone has their problems with the test, for me math was that, so its a little hard to give perfect advice to everyone since a lot of it is individualized...

hookem168

^ in reference to Bescraze's post...I made a 750 CR and 760 W my first sitting. Once you pass a certain plateau of knowledge of the test and understanding of the material, it pretty much depends on the questions for whether you make a 750 or an 800. I missed verrrrry few questions (careless mistakes, go figure), but it cost me.

Bamboozler

Critical Reading and Writing on the SAT I's shouldn't be too hard for you if you have been an avid reader and writer for a long time -- I am, and I got an 800 on both sections. The Writing curve must also be fairly generous, considering I got an 11/12 on the essay and missed a question and still got an 800 (and I've heard of people on here getting a 9 or a 10 on the essay and still getting a perfect).

But, from what I've read and seen of the Literature test, it is quite a bit different (and probably more advanced) from the Reading/Writing sections on the SAT.

Would people recommend the Barron's book for getting an 800 or close to it? It apparently covers a lot more than is necessary and might be harder than normal as well, but in one way, that seems good.

tariqx

Thank you everyone , It was really helpful ... Do you think a month of intensive studying would suffice to get a very well score ?

thirdfloor

Do you mean the SAT I or the SAT II? A month of studying should be more than sufficient to get a 700+ on the SAT II. For the SAT I, it's a little trickier to predict scores. From what you've described of your skills already, you should do very well.

tariqx

Well, I hope so =]


Merci

hookem168

Mmk, just to update, I made a 750 on CR and an 800 on the SAT II Lit with very little prep. So, I would say they're pretty analogous, at least in my experience....