Should I take the Math II Subject Test?

Test Preparation
1

Hello everyone,

As the title states, should I also take the Math II Subject test?

It’s a hectic senior year, and I already have two SAT Subject tests under my plate (Literature 790, Biology - Molecular 800). I understand that these are probably fine, but I’m quite worried.

I plan on majoring in neuroscience, with interests in computer science, psychology, and English. If I’m considering schools such as Stanford, Yale, and Cornell (the reaches, haha, but it never hurts to dream), would the Math II test be preferable, considering that I’m majoring in a science? I understand that UC San Diego highly recommends it for its biological sciences department, so perhaps there is a preference in other top schools as well?

But personally, I would rather be done with testing, especially as I’m applying early action to my top choice, and the Math II score won’t show up anyway. (Also, I took a practice test cold and only broke 720, and I’m unsure how much I could improve by the October test date, and if it would even be worth it!)

Crux of the matter: let’s say I decided to switch my major to physics during my first year of undergrad – would a significant barrier be the lack of a Math II Subject test score?

Thank you so much! :slight_smile:

2

My two cents: Take the test to show off incredible grade and it means mid to high 700+ to your dream Ivy school. For non Ivies you are already brilliant with the two subject test grades!

3

Sounds like you don’t really need it, but If you feel you might want to take it, you can get the College Board study book and the Kaplan study book for the Math 2. Study the strategies in Kaplan and take a couple of timed Kaplan practice tests, which are generally considered harder than the real thing. (Some kids who score 800 on the real thing only score in the low 700s on the Kaplan tests.) Then take one of the CB tests. If it seems likely from the CB test result that you will be among the many who get an 800, then I would recommend taking it. If you do take it, take some practice tests in the weeks leading up to the exam to keep your speed up, since that seems to be a major factor in how well kids do. Kids have reported missing several problems and still getting an 800, which was at the 81rst percentile in 2015.