Look Before You ...
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Jun 2, 2008 Posted by Ned Johnson
“Do no harm” is a loose translation of the beginning of the Hippocratic Oath, the oath sworn by physicians for the ethical practice of medicine. It’s an idea that popped into my head this week as I received queries from a handful of parents whose freshmen and sophomore children were contemplating taking SAT Subject Tests (SAT IIs) next week. Many colleges require two or more Subject Tests for admissions, and students are wise to consider what tests they are likely to do well on. Moreover, they should look to take those tests at the end of the related class. Taking the US History SAT Subject Test is arguably best done in May or June at the end of a US History course. Waiting until the following October’s test date increases the risk of forgetting what the Compromise of 1850 compromised or why Andrew Jackson was so hopping mad about banks.
Many students take chemistry or biology before junior year and may not take AP Chem or Bio until senior year, if at all. So, this “early” time may be the only opportunity to take a Subject Test in that subject. However, you want to take that test only if you have a reasonable expectation that you will do well. If you may eventually have SAT scores that are all in the 600s, getting a 480 on your SAT Chemistry test will not help your admissions process. Arguably, there should be other subjects that you can do better in. Especially with sciences, you are not only dependent on your own facility with the material, but also the pace and scope of your science course and even the text book. It can be really hard to know how prepared you actually are. So, three quick suggestions:
1. Talk to your teacher. Ask him or her about the test, about the class’ preparedness for the test generally, and about his or her expectations for you specifically.
2. Take a test. Do you know whether you should take the Bio E or Bio M? You should decide before the day of the test. You can get a copy of the test from your teacher, your college counseling office or from any number of bookstores. Try to take an actual test from College Board. And, don’t just take it the night before the test. Try to take that test at least the week before so if there are just few things you are puzzled by, you have time to reread your text or touch base with your teacher or a tutor.
3. Assess your performance. If you take the test, how did it go? How did it seem compared to your practice test(s)? If you fear you really got creamed, ask your teacher. If you fear a disastrous score, you can elect to cancel the score up until the first Wednesday after the test. http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/scores/cancel.html
Just as you wouldn’t take medicine to “see how it goes,” don’t take a test without some forethought and basic preparation.