My daughter is applying for engineering at a number of Ivy and big name schools. Her calculus teacher told her that the subject test scores (she’s taking Math 2 and Chemistry) are more important than the general SAT. Any thoughts? She’s taking the subject tests tomorrow and now she’s even more stressed out than she already was.
For super-selective schools, or super-selective majors at not-super-selective schools, it is best to score at or near the top of the range on all standardized tests. It is likely that whatever test score is not at or near the top of the range will be the most important one, in a negative way, at such super-selective schools or majors.
Basically, test scores at or near the top of the range and GPA at or near 4.00 unweighted in the hardest course choices merely get the applicant into the realm of consideration, at which point the subjective factors take over (essays, extracurriculars, etc.). But lower test scores, GPA, or course rigor will be a significant disadvantage for an applicant being compared to numerous others with top-notch academic credentials.
She needs to do the best she can on ALL tests. Give her a hug and tell her you love her no matter what the numbers and the application decisions turn out to be.
Agree for the super competitive schools all of the standardized tests will be important.
Generally, more schools have made subject tests optional. Universities recognize that a student may have had different learning experiences/standards. You don’t want to bomb subject tests, but they’re not as essential as the SAT or essays.
SAT> SAT2s. None of the Ivies except for Cornell engineering – even require SAT2s
^ I agree.