This week, I received an email from a parent about the SAT Subject Tests. Her son was interested in applying for a scholarship that would require him to take "two unrelated SAT Subject Tests" and the she wanted to know a bit more. Here are her questions and my response:
1) Can my son take two Subject Tests without retaking the regular SAT and without having his initial SAT scores submitted to the school? He focused on the ACT, so would prefer not to send his SAT scores.
2) What does "two unrelated" Subject Tests mean? Are Math and Physics unrelated?
My answer:
1. SAT Subject tests are completely unrelated to the regular SAT - scored independently, paid independently, etc. So yes, he can send scores without having his SAT scores sent, too.
2. Physics is under the Science heading, so Math 2 and Physics would be unrelated. Before he chooses which tests to take, though, consider the reason that the school is asking for two unrelated tests. They'd probably like to see how well-rounded he is. Math 2 and Physics will show off that "mathy" portion of his brain, but if he takes a language test or even a history or literature test, he's more likely to show off how well-rounded he really is if he can knock those out of the park. If he doesn't feel confident in any other test, though, just have him take the the two where he'll excel the most as long as they're under two different categories.
More Help from Test Prep:
*New* in Test Prep:
- MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills: Reasoning Within the Text
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