Perks of Subject Tests

gibby
Tue, 14 Jul 2015 15:59:41 +0000

Can these two subject tests distinct me well from other candidates ?

No. Test scores are just one part of your file, and when comparing one high-performing student to another, test scores are probably the least important factor that determines if a student will be accepted or rejected.

Admissions Offices uses standardized tests – ACT, SAT, AP, IB or SAT Subject Tests – as a sort of double-check against a student’s transcript grade and the rigor of the curriculum at your high school. Therefore, taking more SAT Subject Tests, or doing well in those SAT Subject Tests you take, DOES NOT increase your chances of admissions. For example, a student with an ‘A’ average in US History or World History should be scoring in the 740 to 800 SAT Subject Test range. Just looking at your tests scores, I’m guessing you have an ‘A’ in each subject – is that correct? If you do, that’s a confirmation of the accuracy of your high school grade.

If your high school grade is LOWER than an A, that means your transcript is out-of-sync with your test scores. Which begs other types of questions: (1) does your high school have grade deflation, meaning do the teachers grade on a very tough curve?, (2) did you not try as hard as you could in high school with each class? or (3) did you do lots of last minute test-prep to get your 780 and 800 in each Subject Test?