My son is a rising junior and is planning on to take ACT and PSAT this year in fall. He is confused about which SAT he should take exactly. New one or old? Which is better for colleges? He is planning to major in chemical engineering. Does he need to take subject test? Which ones? Any information about these would be really helpful.
Thanks.
@FluffyPanda438 Colleges are accepting either the old or new SAT for the class of 2017 (some colleges, like Yale, are not doing the same for the Class of 2018).
http://blog.prepscholar.com/class-of-2017-sat-guide-new-sat-or-old-sat
^this article has reasons why the old SAT might be better suited for students. I think your son would have a better chance on the new SAT because:
- There are lots of prep for this particular type of SAT.
- The experimental section of the old SAT will most likely be a portion of the new SAT (in other words, there are 10 sections to the current SAT, but 1 is not graded and is "experimental". This experimental section can easily be identified as the experimental one because it will probably have question types that deviate from the normal SAT questions. For example, if your experimental section is in reading, then you may have to read graphs--which you wouldn't have to do on a normal reading section--so you can identify which section won't be graded for you. Some may argue the point of knowing this, but it can take off pressure and give you a chance to gather your thoughts).
- Taking the new SAT for the first time is a risk because nobody really knows what's on it.
As for SAT subject tests, I’d recommend atleast one math and one science (the science should be chemistry, as he wants to go into chemical engineering and that matches his interests). Which schools is he thinking of applying to? Different schools have different criteria; some require 2 SAT 2s, others require none.
Take a look at the requirements for engineering programs. Some will want Math 2 and either physics or chemistry and not biology. I don’t have an opinion about new vs old SAT.
Some of the school’s he is thinking of applying to are:
University of California Berkeley
University of Wisconsin Madison
University of Minnesota twin cities
Purdue university
University of California Santa Barbara
Take the old sat test if it is still allowed.
Read requirements for sat2s at each colleges website, but for competitive colleges like Berkeley, should take 2 or 3 sat2s. Math 2, chem, physics. But if good at USH would be good to substitute ush for one if the sciences.
The upcoming fall PSAT will be based on the NEW SAT however. If you are hoping for NMSF will that require the NEW SAT?
I have 2 juniors as well, and wondering about some of same questions. I also would like to see my kids try the ACT (maybe twice for best score?), but one of my kids might have a shot at NMSF, so it’s hard to ignore the PSAT/SAT. Too many darn tests IMO.
Most competitive engineering programs we have looked at admissions info for require or recommend SAT 2’s - usually Math2, and Chem or Physics; somewhat less competitive Math 1 or 2, and any science.
Definitely math 2, chemistry, and physics subject tests.