Is taking many SAT 2s an advantage?

June062012 · 07-03-2009, 12:38 PM

Would scoring high on a lot of these tests make me more competitive? Or do they stop caring after 3?

Bianca2010 · 07-03-2009, 01:01 PM

they stop caring after 3...unless...even after three your scores are in the upper 700s...then they like seeing that. =]

Charlie Brown · 07-03-2009, 09:07 PM

I think that having many high (750+) SAT 2 tests is certainly impressive.

someone-else · 07-07-2009, 01:07 PM

I was wondering this same thing... I took Bio (770) Math 2 (800) and Math 1 (790) in June, and since two of those are math I obviously need another sitting anyway. I was going to do Literature for sure, but I thought about maybe adding WH or possibly (a stretch, admittedly) Chem. I'm home schooled, so it seems like it might be a good idea to have as many good scores as I can. Any thoughts? Would it make no difference or should I start studying NOW for World History and/or chem.?

jamesford · 07-07-2009, 06:43 PM

If you're homeschooled, more is better (assuming they're all good).

Regular applicants, not so much. If they wanted more than 3, they'd require it. Does taking both the ACT and the SAT put you at any advantage over a one test-taker? No, because 1) only one is required 2) they'll take the higher of the two.

IBfootballer · 07-07-2009, 06:50 PM

after 3 (for a 2-test college) or 4 (for a 4-test college), they start thinking you need a life

college316 · 07-07-2009, 11:57 PM

I agree with the above poster. haha. More is not necessarily more. I can see why you'd want to take one more that's more humanities related, but be careful. Make sure you study and are thoroughly prepared otherwise colleges will think that you're one-dimensional (good at math/science but can't really do anything else) which you definitely don't want.

monstor344 · 07-09-2009, 12:04 AM

It's kind of unclear whether colleges would prefer more or not. Some here would claim that more than 3 is unnecessary, simply because the max requirement at any school is 3, whereas the dean of admissions at Harvard said that he could imagine in the future the replacement of the SAT requirement with 5-6 subject tests, as subject tests are, according to him, a better indicator of college success. It's all a bit obscure, but for now, I would assume that having 3 excellent subject test scores is fine.