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I just finished Kaplan's SAT II Physics (2003-2004) edition.

I thought it was a pretty good book that covered all subject areas, anyways, I took the first diagnostic exam after completion of the book and scored 700.

I know that Kaplan's can sometimes give a false sense of security, and my questions are:

How accurate is Kaplan's SAT II Physics exams?

Let's say I really did score 700 physics, what percentile would I fall in?

Is this a good score for Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science?

I am going to start the Princeton Review's SAT II Physics now, and the material in this book looks WAY more in detail, and harder.

Which is more accurate? Useful?


I know I asked many q's, and I'm not expecting that everyone be able to answer EVERY one of my q's. I would really appreciate ANY answers or opinions.

P.S> I just got my SAT tests in the mail a few days ago, thanks Xiggi! Does anyone know when they will mail out Oct. 2002 and Jan. 1999?

THANKS!

By Aoe2guy (Aoe2guy) on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 07:50 pm: Edit

Student9: Kaplan is USUALLY a pretty decent indicator of your SAT II scores. I suggest that you see what questions you got wrong and why you got them wrong, and spend a day reviewing those CONCEPTS in the kaplan book. Once you are done with that, move on to the PR book - I have heard that this is the best prep book out there. Additionally, PR tends to be an excellent book when it comes down to explaining the general concept and overall idea, which will surely increase your score. In the book from the CB "22 Real SAT IIs," take their physics SAT II as it is real and is a very good indicator of your real score.

by the way, in 2002, 700 on physics = 68th percentile and 750 was 83rd percentile...the curve is VERY generous, so consider that as well when you grade your kaplan exams

By Student9 (Student9) on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 08:05 pm: Edit

Thanks Aoe2guy,

does aoe2 mean "Age of Empires 2"?

I think I will be able to pull off an 800 by this fall.

OH! and can u take the SAT I and II during the same month?

By Student9 (Student9) on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 09:47 pm: Edit

bump

By Aoe2guy (Aoe2guy) on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 09:54 pm: Edit

same month? hmm...i haven taken my SAT I yet, but i'm guessing that as long as the SAT I is on a different day than the SAT IIs you are taking, it is fine to be in the same month.

and yes, aoe2 = age of empires 2 lol

By Student9 (Student9) on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 10:21 pm: Edit

OK

What's ur favorite civilization?

The Turks are really effective.

I'm Turkish myself.

P.S>

Just got my pic uploaded

By Premed88 (Premed88) on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 10:28 pm: Edit

Student9, did you take a physics class before? AP or honors?

By Aoe2guy (Aoe2guy) on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 10:33 pm: Edit

board moderators are probably going to censure us for talking about Aoe2 on an SAT forum...but it also mentions test prep, so does prepping for the test of beating student9 in aoe2 count moderators? by the way, i play the conquerors expansion so i use mayans(new) or byzantines (original)

By Student9 (Student9) on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 11:14 pm: Edit

I can't stand the historical innacuracies of the conquerors expansion.

mayan pikemen?
mayan siege weapons?
I don't think so.

Empire Earth and Rise of Nations are much better though.

Premed88: I have taken Physics honors and will take AP Physics 1 and 2 this fall