sat II scores

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Is 640 in Sat II Bio a bad score? My daughter took it this year as a Freshman with just a normal Bio course she took as a Freshman. She took some test prep courses for 3 weeks also. She is not atall happy with the scores of course. Maybe it was too early for her to have taken it. Others do it after taking an AP Bio course which my child's school does not offer.

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This question has gotten a bit off track.

We have numerous articles in the College and Beyond Group at community.greatschools.net/groups/11551 that point out both ways the SAT and SAT IIs (now known as the SAT Subject tests) are important, and the fact that the UC system is seriously considering removing the SAT subject test as a requirement. And as I have been told numerous times, how the UC goes, so too does the rest of the country's universities.

My son applied to six colleges (two UCs and four private schools), and he had great SAT scores, and not so great SAT subject test scores on the subjects he shined in at school. The subject test scores of 690 in chem and 650 in Math didn't keep him out of UCLA.

We all come at this from different perspectives (as parents who've completed this process, as parents who've just started this process, and as educators or test prep employees)-we're all going to have a different perspective. Some of us believe in getting our kids into the most prestigous schools, others want the best scholarship packages, others want the kids to "find themselves" with two years at the community college.

As a parent with a college sophomore, I have to say parents should to try to stress less and enjoy the ride a little more because it's over before you know it. Borrow books from the library to study for the tests if you need to, and talk to your guidance counselors regarding college fit and likelihood of getting in.

I'd really like it if we can dialog more, because the more we all know, the better for those seeking advice. Since this question was specifically about a typical score and not the merits of the tests or test prep, I'd love to see this continue in a civil manner.

I think it would be very beneficial when the time comes to apply for college. From the sound of it, I think it is something I will look into, but have time, so at the moment looking on thoughts and suggestions.

Thanks for the help.

Lenubienne,
I apologize for misspelling your screen name in the previous response...a person can only edit their comments for an hour after posting, and I just noticed the typo, but it's too late to change it.

Leneubienne, my son is entering his college sophomore year. He is attending what is considered a very competitive private university in the Midwest, and he didn't even bother to take the SAT, preferring the ACT instead. He applied to 6 universities in total, and was admitted to all of them (large, midsized and small, public and private.) He was not required to take SAT II subject tests for any of them. We found that unless one is looking at Ivy League or California colleges, very few universities require SAT II tests. For the record, even the UC system had decided to eliminate the requirement for SAT Subject Tests after 2012: community.greatschools.net/groups/11551/discussion/412858

I'm glad someone started this thread, because an an educator and college admissions consultant, I'm shocked to find out how little my clients and their families really know about the entire college admissions process. Contrary to what healthy11 stated previously, SAT II/SAT Subject Tests are rather important, and should be very thoughtfully considered if your student plans on attending a 'competitive' school. He or she may very well be REQUIRED to take them as a condition of admission into college; each school sets their own parameters for required standardized tests, and it's dangerous to assume that your child will not have to take them. Please visit the CollegeBoard.com website for more info, and I have also posted an excerpt here:

" The SAT Subject Tests measure your knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, and your ability to apply that knowledge.

The SAT Subject Tests are the only national admissions tests that give you the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of content in specific subjects, such as English, history, mathematics, science, and various foreign languages.

Many colleges use the SAT Subject Tests for admission, for course placement, and to advise students about course selection. Some colleges specify the SAT Subject Tests that they require for admission or placement; others allow applicants to choose which tests to take. These tests give you and colleges a very reliable measure of how prepared you are for college-level work in particular subjects. Used in combination with other background information (your high school record, SAT scores, teacher recommendations, etc.), they provide a dependable measure of your academic achievement and are a good predictor of future college performance in specific subject areas.

Before deciding which tests to take, make a list of the colleges you're considering. Then review school catalogs, College Search Engines, or College Handbooks to find out whether the schools require scores for admission and, if so, how many tests and in which subjects.

Use your list of colleges and their admission requirements to help plan your high school course schedule. You may want to adjust your schedule in light of colleges' requirements. For example, a college may require a score from a SAT Subject Test in a language for admission, or the college might exempt you from a freshman course requirement if you do well on a language SAT Subject Test.

Many colleges that don't require SAT Subject Test scores will still review them since they can give a fuller picture of your academic background."

www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about/SATII.html

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