SAT & Subject Tests

[Remarkable]

My SAT test dates are approaching and I am starting to prepare. It is not quite easy for me, since I am not American, so I have to...maybe learn more?

I took the diagnostic test for the SAT which I found in this book I bought and I wasn't really bad by the standarts, but I need to be exeptionally prepared since I intend to apply to good universities (what is defined "good" by past generations) . I realised I mostly need to undersand and learn new words. My greatest impediments were not understanding what was required and happily for me, I did quite well at those I could undertsand. I am still concerned about where should I focus, what should be my priorities, how much time should I spend studying...

Another concern are the SAT Subject Tests. I have chosen to take Literature and World History but I am in need of a third one also. Originally, I intended to take French but I resigned that idea once I decided to take the exam for the French Diploma. Now I am in doubt... In university, I intend to apply for subjects related to social sciences such as politics, law, journalism etc. On the other hand, a scientific SAT Subject Test couldn't do me much harm, in case I need a back up. In both cases, I was wondering between Italian and Physics.

Another issue are the test dates, the 2nd of May and the 6th of June. I don't know whether I can be prepared the four tests at the same time in either date so I am considering the opportunity of taking the SAT and the Subject Tests separately. Remember, English is not my native language and my school curriculum differs from what is required in the SAT so I will need to study separately for both, which wouldn't allow me a lot of time for either.

I was hoping some of you who have taken the SAT can help me with advices on what to do on the above situations and if you have a little story of succes, it wouldn't be bad to share.

Last, but classically, not least, what is considered to be a good SAT score and what should I aim for?

Thanks for reading!

[andave_ya]

Look at the colleges you want to go to and aim for that range in your score.

Also, an all-around aid to the English sections is to, in preparation, read works more difficult than what you're accustomed to. For me, that was Russian Lit; I got hooked .

As to where to focus, see what section you got the lowest score in, in the diagnostic, and work on that section .

Is it actually possible to take both the Subject Tests and the SAT on the same day?? In any case, I'd suggest splitting it into two days. For me, the SAT was excruciating - I know it's supposed to be three hours and forty-five minutes but by the time they get you checked in, seated, and tell you all the instructions before you actually start, five hours will pass, easy. I didn't take any Subject Tests.

If you get nervous, chew gum, if it's allowed. Take snacks with you, too.

[Dori]

Don't cram; get a good night's sleep the night before the test, and eat a good breakfast the morning of the test. Be prepared the night before. If you've gone about it right, you shouldn't have to study at all the night before the test.

As for studying, read, read, and read some more! Trust me, it helps. And don't limit yourself to fiction. Reading a substantial amount of non-fiction will help you as well. And if you're not good at math, I suggest you work on that.

For me, the hardest part was the first part---writing the essay. They only give you 25 minutes.

[Wilde woman]

Ooh, just my cup o' tea! SAT preparation was a HUGE part of my high school life. I was lucky that my parents could afford to send me to an expensive college prep school; I took prep classes for three years! AND, I ended up teaching SAT strategies to high school students during my college years. I even wrote a study manual for the verbal and writing sections.

It is not quite easy for me, since I am not American, so I have to...maybe learn more?

Remarkable, are you taking the test in the States or not? I think the rules may be different for those who take the SAT outside of America.

I realised I mostly need to undersand and learn new words. My greatest impediments were not understanding what was required and happily for me, I did quite well at those I could undertsand. I am still concerned about where should I focus, what should be my priorities, how much time should I spend studying...

For improving your vocabulary, there are lots of books you can buy that list 1000+ words most commonly found on the SAT. Here's just one of the many websites that also have vocab lists: http://www.majortests.com/sat/wordlist.php

I found a good way of learning vocab was finding out its etymology. Since you have a grasp of several Romance languages (French, Italian), you could probably do this no problem; just compare the English word to words that sound similar or share the same root in French or Italian; it'll probably have a similar meaning.

What you should focus on...that depends on what your weaknesses are. I was always strong on the verbal/writing side, so I concentrated on bringing my math score up. The best thing to do is practice taking LOTS of full-length practice tests. You'll get an idea of your strengths and weaknesses and then you can buy an SAT-prep book (I recommend Princeton Review because they make their practice tests harder than the real thing, so that you're over-prepared) to practice on your weak sections. If you don't have the time or money to enroll in the test prep class, studying with a book is the next best thing.

Another concern are the SAT Subject Tests. I have chosen to take Literature and World History but I am in need of a third one also.

In the States, top universities usually require three SAT IIs (subject tests): Writing, Math, and one of your choice. I believe the writing requirement has changed recently because the new SAT has a writing section. So I'd recommend you take Math (either IC or IIC depending on what level you're at...if you're planning on majoring in a science or technology field in college, take the IIC...it has precalculus and calculus, while the IC does not). And then you can take Lit and World History.

Another issue are the test dates, the 2nd of May and the 6th of June. I don't know whether I can be prepared the four tests at the same time in either date so I am considering the opportunity of taking the SAT and the Subject Tests separately.

I'm almost 100% sure you cannot take both the SAT and SAT IIs on the same date. You'll have to divide it up between both those dates. Take your SAT first, since it's more important, and then take your SAT IIs on a later date. (I think you can take all three of your SAT IIs on the same date, though I'm not sure I'd recommend it.) Since you're considering taking a language SAT II (was it Italian?), you need to check to make sure when it's offered. Language subject tests are not offered on all SAT II test dates because some of them have a listening section that requires special equipment. For a list of test dates, go to college board's website: http://www.collegeboard.com/

Here's a list of SAT II test dates: http://professionals.collegeboard.co...ter/test-dates

Last, but classically, not least, what is considered to be a good SAT score and what should I aim for?

It really depends on the school you want to go to. For the really elite schools (the Ivy League, Stanford, top-tier private schools), you'll want to score in the 700s in every section (math, verbal, and writing) to be competitive. Here are the average SAT scores for 2008, according to college board: http://professionals.collegeboard.co...cores/averages

As you can see, most test takers average in the low 500s for each section. So that's about the range that's accepted for your average public school. For SAT IIs, here's a listing of the most recent average scores: http://professionals.collegeboard.co...scores/average
Of course, these scores are not as important as your SAT I; colleges will look at subject test scores mostly for placement. For example, if you score high on your math SAT II and you're not majoring in a subject that requires lots of math, you may be able to opt out of your college math requirement.

I hope that helps. If you have any further questions or you want tips on specific sections of the SAT, you can PM me. Good luck!

[Virgil]

It's been decades since I took the SAT. I didn't realize that international students had to take it too, but I guess that makes sense. I wish you the best of luck Remarkable. I hope you do get into one of our colleges. That would be great.

[Remarkable]

To andave _ya: Yeah,I have already checked out the points those schools of my choice want but I just wanted to know an average.
Yep,I'm trying to focus in the sections I had most difficulty with but the thing is,I'm also preparing for my French exams and it's starting to be tiresome already...Just the perspective...
Reading Russian Literature in English seems challenging enough!As long as it's not "War and Peace"...

To Dori:I'm quite a non-fiction reader as well,so I'm prepared beforehand for that.But maybe is not enough so I'll have to cut the novels a bit...And thanks for the tips!

To Virgil:Oh,yes,international students have to take it as well!It is actually very important,since the grading system and the standards are not the same so they have to figure out a way.
I know why you want me in one of your colleges...So that you get the chance to gossip a lot!

To Wilde woman:Woaaaah!You are so prepared!You were actually very helpful in some points!
You see,I think the rules are the same.That's what everybody tells me,anyhow...
Thanks for the recommendation on "The Princeton Review" but I already got the "McGraw's-Hill" guide and I'm liking it this far. Anyway, if you insist that "The Princeton Review" is really good, then I,as an unexperienced person on the SAT,will take your word for it and purchase it.
Thanks for the sites!
I'll have to check further whether you can take multiple SAT's in one day...Anyhow,first I have to figure out whether I'm taking physics or not.See,I could choose whichever subject I wanted,I didn't need to take maths.
I hope you don't mind if I PM you with some questions later?...