Which tests should I take? What schools require the Subject Tests and which tests are required?

If you are planning to go to a four year school, DEFINITELY take the SAT or ACT. Most four year colleges reguire the SAT.

Generally, the more selective a school is academically, the more academic information will be required, including additional tests. The University of California wants Subject Tests, for example, and the Cal State schools do not. Private schools vary tremendously in terms of the tests they require, but the general guideline is: the more selective the college, the more academic information they will want, including Subject Tests.

NOTE: For the first time in many years, there is a difference in required Subject Tests by the extremely selective colleges. Carefully research the requirements for each individual colleges on your search list.

University of California Test Requirements

Be sure to take all of your tests at least once while you are a Junior. That means take the SAT and the Subject Tests (if you are applying to a UC or selective colleges) before the summer between junior and senior year. If you find a big gap in skills or knowledge, this will give you time to fix the problem.

Remember: the SAT is a skill oriented test. One does not learn to write an essay, patch up algebra skills, or become a better reader over a weekend. Plan ahead!

Generally, the best time to take Subject Tests is immediately after you have completed a course relating to the Subject Test you want to take. The June SAT testing date is a good time to take Subject Tests.

Students in 9th or 10th grade should consider taking a Subject Test if they are completing an advanced course (e.g. honors or AP).

Many people do not know the SAT and most standardized tests are extremely imprecise! As a result, a student's scores can vary widely from test to test. Plan to take the test several times so you can be sure to get your highest score.

This question comes up at EVERY college conference. Here is the best answer we have ever heard:

“If we see a student has taken the SAT once and the scores do not match the high standards of our university and the other applicants, we wonder if the student is really serious about applying here. On the other hand, if we see a student has taken the SAT six or seven times, we wonder if he has a life? Don't they have other things to do on a Saturday?”
    UCLA Admissions Director

Every college will use some version of picking the highest scores.

The University of California uses the highest total score from any one sitting (the same test date). If you have taken the test several times, they will pick your highest total score.

California State Universities and most private colleges use the highest scores for each section. That is, if several scores are submitted, they will pick the best READING score, the best MATH score, and the best WRITING score.

If you have taken more than the required Subject Tests, colleges will generally pick the highest scores.

Many students now prepare during the summer before their junior year. Because the test is very comprehensive, so are our courses. Since Ames Seminars provides (as part of the course) many reviews and practice tests before the spring and fall tests, there is no danger of preparing too early and then forgetting everything.

If you must take the course during the school year, try to plan ahead so you can take one of our classes that are presented once a week instead of twice a week.

Note: If you want a big score increase on any section of the SAT, give yourself plenty of time to prepare. Big score increases may take a real development of skills.

The Ames Seminars SAT course has these important aspects:

• Great curriculum and real College Board tests
• Experienced teachers (no college and graduate students)
• Individual help, practice tests, and reviews (Reading, Writing, and Math) all as PART OF THE COURSE!
• Computer graded tests are part of the curriculum and several practice tests are available for students after they complete the course

In terms of admission SAT test scores are the second most important factor after grades in college prep courses. See: FIVE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS in ADMISSION

Don't waste your time and money on mediocre preparation. Before taking an SAT course be sure the company has a good track record of providing quality SAT prep.

Beware of short courses. The SAT is very comprehensive (and 50% longer) so short courses don't really work even though we would all like to have quick results.