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After reading several of these posts I can see that my s is late to the SAT2 game. Has not done any SAT2 prep. SAT1 and ACT scores were fair, so he has been focusing on those. I'm looking for some clarification please. What exactly does it mean when school says SAT2s highly recommended? How many subjects? If a school asks specifically for SAT2 writing, do you just take it and forget any others. One school specifies SAT2 writing. Two state SAT2 highly recommended - do I assume that means three subjects?? If he takes three, are all scores automatically sent. Can he request certain subjects for specific schools? He is signed up for writing, Math1 and French in November, but with all else on the plate, prep time is limited. What to do? Suggestions please. Thanks in advance

By Mwlgal (Mwlgal) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 02:46 pm: Edit

Anyone there?

By Geniezclone (Geniezclone) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 03:14 pm: Edit

I'll try to take your questions one at a time then.

What exactly does it mean when school says SAT2s highly recommended?
It means that they want you to take them, but if you don't, they'll still consider your application, but it may not stand out as much as the others' that have taken SAT2s.

If a school asks specifically for SAT2 writing, do you just take it and forget any others
Well, if you want to. But of course, if you have other good SAT2s you'll get a higher chance of being accepted.

If he takes three, are all scores automatically sent. Can he request certain subjects for specific schools?
Yes, all scores are automatically sent. You cannot choose which scores to send/not to send.

Since you said that you're running out of time, I think you should just take the SAT2s that the colleges you're going to apply to require. For me, I take "recommended" as meaning "required," but it's up to you. Since one school on ur list specifies writing II, then take it. As for other SATs, take only the ones you're confident in getting good scores. It's no use taking many SATs in subjects you're not so good in and end up showing below-avg scores on ur SAT score report. I hope this helps.

By Ohio_Mom (Ohio_Mom) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 03:39 pm: Edit

At the very least, pick up a copy of Real SAT II's and have your son take the appropriate exams under test-like conditions. This will give you both a good idea where you stand. As the previous poster mentions, you don't want a score that will hurt. This would be a score that is not on par or higher than the average of the SAT I. Poor SAT II's call into question the hs transcript and grade inflation.

By Mwlgal (Mwlgal) on Saturday, October 02, 2004 - 11:16 am: Edit

Geniezclone and Ohio Mom: Thanks so much for the clarification and suggestions. You've given us just what we needed. A perfect example of why I think this site is so terrific.