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I would appreciate anybody's advice...Took SAT II Writing last year (740). Am taking Math 1C and Lit. in 2 weeks. I have been doing well in the practise Math test (consistently 700 plus) and BOMBING the Lit. (low 500's). Should I just take the Math and send in only 2 SAT II scores? Should I cram for US History with 2 weeks left and forget about Lit.?

How bad would it look to only send 2 SAT II scores? The Lit. could be my downfall.

I don't know what to do.

Thanks for any help.

By Stanfordnualum (Stanfordnualum) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 02:32 pm: Edit

Hope someone can help you. I took mine (Phys, Eng Comp, Math IIC) when they were called "achievement tests" and most people didn't take any, let alone 3 of them. Now everyone seems to be expected to send tons of SAT II/APs; I feel lucky.

By Crypticism (Crypticism) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 05:19 pm: Edit

I took the Writing test (got the same score as you), Literature test, and am going to take the Math IC in October.

Have you taken any US History practice tests? Did you do well on them? Have you studied US History recently? Take what you think you'll do best at.

Unless you're applying to certain schools at NU (or are a homeschooler, like I am) you don't have to take 3. The two most important ones are Writing and Math, so don't stress too much over having a third if you don't think you'll do well! I think that it would look worse to send in 3 (including one with a low score) than it would to send in 2 with high scores.

Good luck!

By Primab (Primab) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 06:04 pm: Edit

Thanks Stanford and Crypt for replying. If you don't mind my asking Crypt-how did yo do on the Lit.-Do you have any tips. My downfall seems to be not reading fast enough. I took US History last year. I have so much homework right now that trying to cram history will leave me with no sleep probably. I just don't know what to do. I'm going over my practice test now to see if I can figure out where I went wrong.

Oh gawd.....

(Oh-and Good Luck to you Crypt...)

By Stanfordnualum (Stanfordnualum) on Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 12:39 am: Edit

"trying to cram history will leave me with no sleep probably..."

In most cases, craming without sleep is the recipe of poor performance. Don't underestimate the benefit of resting your brain. You need that for it to function well. My experience has been whenever I cramed (luckily I didn't do much), I would do poorly in the exam even when I seemed to do well during practice. This may be particularly true for a subject utilizing tons of memorization.

It looks like you've already gone pretty far with the Lit; so it's just a matter of if you can find that magical fix, if there's one. If you can't, you should just forget about taking it.

By Crypticism (Crypticism) on Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 05:10 pm: Edit

I got a 750 on Lit.

I was extremely concerned about not having enough time to read. I think I was having a good day, because I ended up finishing early. The best advice I can give you is to stay focused. When your mind starts wandering, acknowledge it, shake it out, and try again.

Practice, practice, practice.. and read a lot! I think it helps to practice reading all types of things (poetry, magazines, classics) and analyzing them. Being familiar with the terms is also a big plus.

You can always keep studying for Lit, but wait until test day to decide whether or not to take it. See how focused and awake you're feeling. I don't think you should worry too much about only taking two SAT IIs.

You're applying as a prospective theatre major, right? ED? Me too, me too. (we might have classes together a year from now!)

By Primab (Primab) on Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 05:27 pm: Edit

Thanks again Crypt-I hope we both make it. Sounds like you are really well on your way. I'm gonna keep plugging away at the Lit. but I'm going to take a practise History II to see how it goes.

Good luck to you.

By Crypticism (Crypticism) on Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 05:36 pm: Edit

I think taking a practice History test is a great idea.

You've still got two weeks, so don't stress too much. I'm sure you'll do great at whichever test you choose.

Good luck with everything! Keep me posted.