SAT II
SAT IIs are subject based
exams that test your knowledge in a specific area. Normally, if you have taken
an AP (Advanced Placement) course in a particular subject, you have covered over
95% of the material tested on the corresponding SAT II test. However, the SAT
IIs are not just for AP students so don't be scared away from taking a certain
test just because you haven't taken the AP course. Ninth or Tenth graders for
example can take the Biology test and do fine after a year of general science.
Frequently Asked Questions for the
SAT II
Our
SAT II courses
====================================================
Frequently Asked Questions for the SAT II
What is the
SAT II?
Who
should take the SAT II?
Why
should I bother to take the SAT II's?
What
is on the test?
What
is the SAT II Writing test?
What
is the SAT II MATH IC test?
What
is the SAT II MATH IIC test?
Which
other subject tests are being offered by ETS?
How
is the SAT II scored?
When
is the SAT II offered?
When
is the best time to take the SAT II?
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What is the SAT II?
The SAT II is a three-section, three-hour test that is designed to test the
student's level of achievement in the English language, Math, and a third topic
to be chosen by the student. Each section is scored on a scale from
200-800.
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Who should take the
SAT II?
Students applying to top American colleges and universities should take the SAT
II. Most top-ranked schools require it, but even if the school you're
applying to does not require it, a student who speaks a third language such as
French, German, or Italian should take it to demonstrate his skill with the
language.
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Why should I bother to take
the SAT II's?
According to the College Board, which runs the SAT I and SAT II programs
"Many colleges require or recommend taking one or more of the Subject Tests
for admission or placement. Used in combination with other background
information, they provide a dependable measure of your academic achievement and
are a good predictor of future college performance." In reality since you
will be paying for the tests, you should determine if you really need to sit for
them. Just know that approximately 160 colleges require the SAT IIs for
admission. Among the notable schools on this list are the Ivy League
institutions and all schools in the
University
of
California
system. Many other schools recommend the SAT IIs but don't require them.
However, although many schools do not require the SAT II scores, they have come
to expect them, so your application may look a bit odd if you do not have those
scores. For students who take the ACT instead of the SAT I, since the ACT also
tests grammar, science and harder-than-SAT I math, a number of schools will
accept the ACT scores in lieu of SAT II scores. So, for many students planning
to go to college, the SAT II is an inevitable part of the process.
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What is on the test?
The SAT II is broken down into a series of one-hour test sections.
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What is the SAT II
Writing test?
The student has 20 minutes to compose an essay discussing a political,
historical, or moral issue. The essay is graded from 0-6 and accounts for
about 40% of the section's final score. The next forty minutes are spent
answering 60 multiple-choice questions that focus on English grammar and usage.
Due to the introduction of the new SAT I, this SAT II subject test may be
eliminated in the near future.
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What is the SAT II MATH IC
test?
This section consists of 50 questions on geometry, functions, trigonometry, and
statistics. It requires the use of a calculator.
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What is the SAT II MATH
IIC test?
This section consists of 50 questions on geometry, functions, trigonometry, and statistics. It also requires the use of a calculator.
The Math IIC differs from the IC in that it focuses on a wider range of function types, contains more questions on trigonometry, and eliminates all easy geometry
questions.
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Which other subject tests
are being offered by ETS?
GERMAN
GERMAN with LISTENING
FRENCH
FRENCH with LISTENING
ITALIAN
ITALIAN with LISTENING
PHYSICS
CHEMISTRY
BIOLOGY
Note: Different tests will be available on different
dates.
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How is the SAT II scored?
Each SAT II test (except the English Language Proficiency Test) is scored in the same way as the SAT I. Each correct answer earns you 1 point, each incorrect answer costs you ? point and unanswered questions don't affect your score. The Writing test, because it is not all multiple choice is scored differently. This "raw" score is then converted into a scaled score from 200-800. A chart of percentile ranking is also included with your scores.
This is because you really cannot compare the scores on the different tests without looking deeply into the data. For example a score of 780 on the Chinese test is average while a 780 on another test is phenomenal. Remember that students taking the SAT II tests are able to select the test they will sit for and usually they will only choose those subjects they are strong in. That is why SAT II scores tend to be higher than SAT I scores since there are not that many students getting low scores.
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When is the SAT II
offered?
Although English, Math, Science and US History tests are offered at every administration, the World History and Language tests are available only on certain dates. Check carefully to make sure the test you want to take is offered when you plan to sit for it.
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When is the best time to
take the SAT II?
The best time to take the SAT II test is right after you've finished studying that subject in school. That is why the May and June test dates are popular for SAT II. If you are taking an AP course, you can study for the AP test and the May SAT II at the same time. The June test, obviously, comes at the end of the school year, so you have just finished the course and you haven't had all summer to forget everything. If your school has block scheduling and your courses finish in one semester, then the December or January tests may be right for you.
You don't have to wait until your junior year to take SAT IIs. If you are taking a biology course or world history course in grade 9 or 10, take the SAT II at the end of that year, before you forget it all. However, if you are planning to take AP Biology, you may want to wait. For subjects that you will be taking throughout high school, such as math, and foreign languages, you should probably wait until you've had about three years of the subject before sitting for the SAT II test in that subject.
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Source:
College
Board
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SAT II Courses
How can the Princeton Review's SAT II Course help me?
The Princeton Review-Turkey's goal is to help you successfully attack the SAT II. From helping you register for the exam to teaching you how to tame advanced probability questions, our knowledge and experience will help you make the most of your
test.
Our course addresses each of the SAT II topics thoroughly:
We simply offer the best and most complete analysis and instruction in English grammar and usage available. Our comprehensive guides will teach you things the others don't know!
Our SAT II Math instruction covers every topic on the test from beginning to end. We include both techniques designed specifically for the SAT II and normal mathematics
instruction.
Hundreds of practice questions in each of these areas will re-inforce what you
learn in the classroom.
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