SAT, SAT II, ACT, PCAT, huh?

Question

I know that in the SAT, you have to take three subject tests. Do you get to pick which one? Which ones are needed for a UC? But I thought SAT math part had geometry, algebra 2, and etc? And like pretend I took ap bio physics and spanish. how do I fit it in this SAT? What is a PCAT? What is a math II? What is an ACT needed for? Thank you I have a lot of questions?

Answer 1

Whoa, whoa, whoa...

Okay, first of all, I think you're a little confused with what these tests are.  The SAT Reasoning Test (formerly called the SAT I or simply the SAT) is the "main," most famous college admissions test.  It's true that it's made up of three different subjects, but don't call them "subjects."  Call them "sections" instead; that's the correct terminology, and you'll be a lot less confused.  There are three sections to the SAT: math, critical reading, and writing.  The math section includes algebra 1, geometry, and algebra 2 topics, but they're all combined together.  When you take the SAT, you take all three of these sections at the same time (and each section is subsequently broken up into smaller increments of time and mixed up in order; that way, you don't have to answer 70 math questions at once.  So no, you can't pick which sections you take; it's an all-or-nothing deal.  

The SAT Subject Tests (formerly SAT II) is a collection of short, multiple choice, one-hour long subject tests available in a variety of subjects.  You do get to pick which ones you take.  This is where you can fit in the fact that you've taken AP Bio, physics, and Spanish; there are SAT Subject Tests available in all three subjects, and you can do all three (up to three subject tests is the rule) in one sitting.  Among the many choices are two math tests: math level 1 (formerly math IC) and math level 2 (formerly math IIC).  If you want to go to a UC school, don't take math level 1 because they don't count those.  

A PCAT is a test associated with pharmacy school, so I'm just going to assume that you meant the PSAT.  The PSAT is a test that is basically a shortened version of the SAT (fewer questions, shorter time, no algebra 2 on the math part, and no essay).  The PSAT is often taken for practice for the SAT, and it's also used as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (its other name is the NMSQT).  If you get a high score on the PSAT as a junior, you may qualify for thousands of dollars of scholarship money.  

The SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and PSAT are all administered by the same organization as the AP exams, the College Board.  The ACT, however, is from a completely different organization.  In admissions, it pretty much serves the same pupose as the SAT.  There are four sections to the ACT (science, math, reading, English) and an optional essay section that gets incorporated into your English score.  

If you're applying to a UC school, you have two options: you can either take the SAT Reasoning Test and any two SAT Subject Tests, or you can take the ACT with that optional essay section.  If you do the ACT, you don't have to do the SAT stuff; if you take the SAT tests, you don't have to do the ACT.  

Answer 2

Hey,

I am not sure I can answer all of your questions but I will try. For the S.A.T subject test you do get to choose which subjects you want to be tested in. I am entering my junior year of high school and plan on taking 5 AP classes plus the S.A.T1 and S.A.T2. If you want to get into one of the top ten colleges you'll need to encourage yourself and manage your time. Don't sweat it, you'll get through it all with no problem. Thousands of other students feel the same way. I hope this helps in some way!