<p>My daughter is still not out from the chem SAT. She signed up for lit and chem but was not planning to take lit, so either they made her wait the extra hour and just sit there, or she changed her mind and decided to stay for lit.</p>
<p>My D. messed up her history test - even though she has done several sample tests, somehow in the test site she thought there were 60 questions instead of 90! So she missed many questions. she said when the 61st question showed up, she thought she was in a bad dream. 
We all feel terrible about this. she is going to cancel her score. I think the reason is we all took it too lightly because in every sample test she got 800. What a sad story! She will retake it. But it looks like she has to wait until October. I really wish there were another test in early July.</p>
<p>Herandhismom I am so sorry to hear this!! The next SAT is Oct 5th so she can take it then- ugh- but mistakes do happen. My daughter came out late because they started very late. She said that a few kids cancelled their score right away- one kid supposedly had the sun in his eyes the whole time and could not see well. Another kid had permission from College Board to get extended time but he was not on the list today. These kids immediately cancelled their scores. My daughter took two practice tests from the Barron’s book and said that today’s chem test was much much easier than the two practice tests that she just took. She said that many of the questions she has had before ( same type) and they were reviewed in class recently. It’s really the luck of the draw- you have to hope that your class matches that test. We are crossing our fingers.</p>
<p>@twogirls, I’m glad your D. felt the test was easier than the sample. Most likely that’s a sign she did well.</p>
<p>We faxed CB to cancel the score. The thing is she has to keep thinking about the test in October. It’s a lesson to learn. One of her friends (senior now) got a 5 in APUSH but didn’t do well in SAT last October because it’s been several months since he took the history class. D. will have to keep reading history to assure a good score in October.</p>
<p>^ good luck… It’s a pain but these things happen all the time. Try to enjoy the day and not stress too much. It’s brutally hot here today!</p>
<p>S2 was scheduled to take the SAT II World History this morning at 8. I dropped him off at the test center before 7:30 and then I went home. As soon as I walked into the house, I got a phone call from him. I knew somehow that it would be a bad news. Sure enough, S2 left his photo ID at home. I went into his room (it looks like a bomb has exploded in it, BTW) to look for his wallet. I raced back to the test site around 8ish and gave him his ID. He called back later and told me they would not let him to take the test because he was late…</p>
<p>On the way home, S2 said he is just not smart enough to look at his admission ticket to make sure he has everything. I told him it is a lesson learned. Even though it is entirely his responsibility to have his ID with him and the colleges he will be applying do not likely require the subject test, I still feel bad on my part and disappointed that he did not take the test. I knew he needs the ID for the test and yet I only reminded him of the admission ticket, pencils, etc and said nothing about the ID. </p>
<p>On top of all this, this was also the morning that my S1 left to start his internship on coming Monday. S1 and my H drove separately so H could bring down some furniture for S1’s apartment. S1 called to tell me that he could not get gas because his debt card was not working. H had already on the road. Luckily, S1 was still in town so I rushed over to fill up his tank.</p>
<p>I don’t think I ever had such an awful Saturday morning like this!</p>
<p>@sunnydayfun, I feel for you! I can cry with you. My D. had a terrible first SAT experience as well. It’s a lesson that she should learn. I think the sample tests made her feel so confident, she didn’t take it seriously. Even though all the samples she did had 90 questions, somehow today she thought there were only 60. I try not to let my D. feel I’m so upset. she really is a great kid and she feels horrible enough. Everybody makes mistakes. Let’s hope they’ll learn, also learn to deal with frustrations. </p>
<p>So will your S. take the same SAT in October? I just realized how bad it is to mess up a June SAT. If it was a different month, you’d have chance to retake it in a month. Now we have to wait for a whole 4 months! You can’t just stop thinking about it in the summer, when your mind was supposed to be stress free.</p>
<p>This will make you feel better: my older daughter had THREE months of excellent tutoring before her first ACT junior year. When she came out from the test she told me that she left the last 15 questions blank because she did not want to guess. You are not supposed to leave any blank on the ACT!!! Needless to say she did not use that score.</p>
<p>I’m surprised anew at each demonstration that my book smart kids can fail at these little administrative tasks. And so jealous of people whose kids master handling these details at a young age. </p>
<p>The night before the AP calc test I asked S15 in an offhand way what does he think, guess or not guess? He said he didn’t know, people had been arguing about it in class. I about fell off my chair. The night before the test and he didn’t know? The teacher should have made it clear to them, and maybe did but he doesn’t remember. I was like, OK they changed the rules last year, so there is still some confusion, but yes, guess. And if you aren’t sure, get on the college board site and look it up. You don’t have to argue about it, just go to the source and be sure. Be the one who knows.</p>
<p>A year ago today D13 was scheduled to take SAT for the first time. She went around gathering her batteries and pencils and stuff and somehow I let my guard down. When she was exiting car at HS I randomly asked if she had her ID. Um, no. Lucky we live less than 10 minute drive and neurotic mom insists on going places early so we had time to go home and grab it. The next week was ACT and I swear she was ready to walk out of house without it again. Just shoot me.</p>
<p>Ouch, all of you have my sympathy on the test mishaps–it’s painful just reading them. </p>
<p>D took the SAT World History and said it was “uuuhh…okayyy” which has me thinking she didn’t do too well, so I’m not that happy to hear (from your other thread, herandhisMom) that if she wants to retake it she has to wait til December. And she knows that she got at least 1 question wrong, she said she was cracking up about this illustration <a href=“http://swegener.■■■■■■■■■■/post/47127394847/missalsfromiram-jahangirs-dream-jahangir[/url]”>http://swegener.■■■■■■■■■■/post/47127394847/missalsfromiram-jahangirs-dream-jahangir</a> and missed the point of the question</p>
<p>Just curious, what kind of policies have you seen regarding phones at the SAT test sites? D has taken SATs at 3 different high schools and at one they were very strict about phones, wouldn’t even let students bring them in the building. In another they all had to leave phones at the front of the room. Today they were allowed to keep them but warned to turn them off before the test and not take them out.</p>
<p>My daughter left her phone at home. My experience with my older one is that the rules tend to change depending on location.</p>
<p>My D. said the proctor made them leave the cell phones in the front desk.</p>
<p>Wow! Sorry to hear about the testing problems this morning!</p>
<p>Our test site is very strict, no phones allowed in the room. No mechanical pencils allowed, either, just regular wood pencils. </p>
<p>My D had originally intended to take three tests (Math2, WH, Chem) but felt unready for the Chem so decided not to take it. She’ll take AP Chem next year, so can take that test later if she decides she needs it. She may not, as none her schools-of-interest (so far) ask for more than two subject tests. She seemed pretty wrung-out when she came home, so I’m glad she only took two tests. </p>
<p>Now I just have to keep my fingers crossed until score reports come out in 18 days. It will be nice to be able to check scores online rather than having to stalk the mailman.</p>
<p>Last year my daughter took bio and she can use the score, so if she does well on chem she is technically done… However next year she wants to do physics and math- oh well. Meanwhile she still has two tests tomorrow plus 4 Regents exams and a Spanish final in two weeks. No rest for the weary!</p>
<p>I have been mostly a lurker on this board, but hope to be a more active participant…it is a little like trying to start a book in the middle…trying to figure out who all the characters are, etc. 
I was reading a lot of recent posts about kids having taken the SAT II.</p>
<p>D takes her sophomore yr finals this coming week. She took the APUSH (AP Us History) test
recently, and we expect the results of that in July. She also took the practice ACT and SAT’s this year. She hasn’t taken, or really even heard anything about taking subject area tests (SAT IIs?). I have seen things about them on CC, but I don’t think the school has given them any info about them. I don’t know how you go about deciding which ones to take, or when. This has been a rough year for D, stresswise…she has put so much pressure on herself, and this seems to have been the year when it all became too much and she is learning to take a step back and find some balance. So I really didn’t try to get her to look into taking more tests…are there any this summer she should consider? I know she should prepare for SAT for next fall.</p>
<p>Welcome Shoboe!! I understand stress as my daughter is an intense perfectionist who puts way too much pressure on herself. You should be very happy that your daughter is trying to find some balance- good for her!! My daughter’s school sent her a letter in 9th grade telling her that if she is planning to apply to some of the more competitive schools then it would be a good idea to take the SAT subject tests. Right now she has a list of about 20 schools that spark her interest, with 5 recommending or requiring the test. After we narrow down the list a bit that number may be smaller, but it is still a good idea for her to take them. My daughter has not taken any AP classes yet, but last year her honors bio teacher told them that at the end of her class they will all be very prepared for the bio SAT. This year she is in honors chem and yesterday she took the SAT subject test in chem. if your daughter thinks that some of her potential college interests may want the subject test, she can take them junior year or even at the beginning of senior year. I think that kids choose the subject that they feel they will do well in. I also think that certain majors ( ie engineering) have certain requirements, but honestly most of them don’t know yet what they will major in so I would not stress. I would just have her take two subjects that she feels confident about, but only if she may be applying to such schools. My older daughter did not take any subject tests. Meanwhile it’s soon summer and it’s a good time to get in some much needed rest before junior year. My daughter will also be studying this summer for the ACT/SAT so we can commiserate together. Once again welcome!! This place serves as a great support group!</p>
<p>This stuff can be very overwhelming and if your daughter can take a step back, great!!! I told my daughter that it is NOT necessary for her to get an 800 on the subject test. She has so much work that she did not study much for the two she has taken. My feeling is that if she does well that is terrific, and if not she will do it again next year. There is only so much stress I can handle LOL.</p>
<p>We knew that phone was not allowed so S did not bring his. He went around finding students that had phones to borrow to make the calls. I wish he had taken his phone with him so perhaps he could have reached one of us earlier </p>
<p>herandhisMom-I am still so upset about the whole thing and I dont even want to think about the retaking. I may just have him to concentrate on SAT and/or ACT and forget about the subject tests. Sorry to hear about your D. There should be still time for her to take other subject tests.</p>
<p>shoboemom-Welcome! You are not alone. This has been a very rough year for my son as well. He puts so much pressure on himself, wants to do well and is devastated not seeing the results. </p>
<p>It is nice to have this thread to share my frustration. Thank you all and have a great Sunday!</p>
<p>Re. cell phone policy - I think every testing center administers differently. At D’s SAT II yesterday, she said they didn’t check for cell phones. D’s iphone was confiscated by her AP Stat teacher for leaving it on the desk on Friday (off position but classroom policy is it can’t be seen). So, she didn’t have to worry. She needs to go apologize and pick it up tomorrow. </p>
<p>I, too, am sorry about all the testing issues. Hopefully, kids will learn from it and won’t happen again. I am sure we all have our share of these moments…</p>
<p>@shoboemom - welcome! As twogirls pointed out above, some schools require or recommend students provide SAT II scores (usually 2 or 3 subjects). So, if your D is interested in schools that will ask for SAT II scores, you may want to fit that in your D’s testing schedule. </p>
<p>Also, I thought mihcal1 and IJD had interesting points you may want to consider (posts 3306 and 3308) above - which makes you wonder if there’s value of taking it even if colleges don’t ask for it. As for timing of the tests, conventional wisdom is to take it right after kids finish the subject when materials are still fresh on their mind. That’s why you see so many June SAT II test takers on this forum. I am beginning to wonder, however, if May testing might be better for kids than June if your D is taking SAT II and AP exams. It appears kids are too tired for (June) SAT II after their AP exams are over.</p>
<p>^^^ The timing of tests is really a personal decision. My Ds would’ve been more stressed taking SATIIs in the middle of AP testing period. Also, the time period between APs and the June exam can be used to fill-in any topics that aren’t on the APs but might show up on the SATIIs. In any case, our school doesn’t release until late June, so the kids are still in school-mode here.</p>
<p>I, too, wish they would offer summer SAT dates. It would be nice for the kids to be able to separate out SAT study from the rigors of the school year. It would also be helpful for the kids whose schools don’t follow a standard academic calendar.</p>