Should I take the Math Level 1 or 2 SAT Subject Test?

Question

I'm going to be a senior after summer, in which I'll be taking AP Calculus. Therefore, any of the subject matter is irrelevant to the Math Subject Tests. I haven't learned any material pertaining to these subject tests for over a year.

I have taken the Level 2 exam once without studying much and got a 580, which is horrible. I then studied for 2 weeks straight out of my Princeton Review book, and only bumped up my score to a 620, which is below the national average.

I want to score a 730 , because I'm aiming for top-tier schools like Harvard, Princeton, and Yale.

Will colleges see these terrible scores already? I heard it's easier and better to get a higher score on the Level 2 exam than the Level 1.

However, I'm busting my *** and I don't know if I can do much better on the Level 2 exam.

But the Level 1 is harder to get a 700 because of the lack of a curve.

What should I do?

Answer 1

Wow I took Pre Cal last year and I thought it was difficult. Listen if your even thinking about going to a University don't take Level 1 math. It wont do you any good. The UC's want to see you try your best you should take Level 2. I mean if your going to be in AP Calc! You must be good. Don't have so little faith in yourself. You should at least try. You can take the SAT subject test two times you still have the time you know. I still need to take mine. Take Level 2 I'm sure you can do it. I mean you got all the way to AP Cal thats great!

Answer 2

First of all you should know that Level II has more topics to test. So which level to take depends on how much you have learned. You need a sound background in Algebra II to take level I test and you need to learn trigonometry to have a good score on level II test.

Test guide books are fine for praparing tests but the best way to get good score is to review the topics to be tested using a good text book.

Finally, you mentioned you were aiming at schools like Harvard, Yale and Princeton. If you are still struggling with SAT math level I or II test after junior year, you might want to aim a little lower. My son and many his good friends are in the colleges like the ones you mentioned, but they all already passed SAT math level II with 800 before or during junior year and  passed AP Calculus BC test with 5 right BEFORE entering senior year in high school.