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CardinalFang
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Posted: Fri Mar 28th, 2008 07:23 pm |
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| Any recommendations of review books for the SAT II for Math II, Literature, American History?
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Wendy (wjb)
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Posted: Fri Mar 28th, 2008 07:29 pm |
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Cardinal: In general, my son recommends the "Official Study Guide for All SAT Subject Tests (Real SATS)"
For Math II, he used "Cracking the SAT Math 1 and 2 Subject Tests." For U.S. History, he used the REA SAT U.S. History book.
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Descartes
Super Moderator
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Posted: Fri Mar 28th, 2008 07:55 pm |
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Official Guide works well, but there is only one test per subject in it.
Try: http://store.collegeboard.com/productdetail.do?Itemkey=007727&BannerID=text_SujectTestGuideMATH&AffiliateID=1
and
http://store.collegeboard.com/productdetail.do?Itemkey=007697&BannerID=text_SujectTestGuideHIST&AffiliateID=1
to get more tests.
My S also used Barron's, which are noted for being harder than the real test. Over preparation can be good, however, if you are able to tolerate the increased anxiety. Try prepping with Barron's first and then feel the relief by using the official tests.
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lfm
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| Joined: | Sat Jul 28th, 2007 |
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Posted: Sun Mar 30th, 2008 09:20 pm |
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| My son found some errors in a SAT Math prep in a non CB prep book. I think it was barrons. I have heard this is not uncommon. As much as I hate to give CB any more money than we already to, we do tend to buy their prep books, when available.
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Descartes
Super Moderator
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 03:54 am |
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| Yep, ran into at least one Barron's error, too. There aren't so many that its not useful for "over training". But, of course, buyer beware.
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DesperateDad
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| Joined: | Tue Mar 14th, 2006 |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 06:09 am |
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| While I also concur that the Real thing is the best practice, unfortunately CB does not provide solutions -- just answers. While answers are helpful, they don't explain standard idioms, for example, which makes the CR difficult for non-native speakers.
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Deja
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 11:21 am |
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Descartes and everyone -- thank you so much for the helpful advice regarding SAT2s. I had no idea that taking three at one sitting would be too much. While s could take the Math 2 SAT2 on May 3 (he's already been exposed to all of precalculus....he committed the perhaps fatal mistake of dropping out of CalculusAB this school year), we've decided to have him wait until next fall (Oct or Nov).
There will simply be no time to study. This coming month are some very important EC dates for him (State Forensics and State Debate). The last full month of his AP courses will probably have a lot of work (and remember, we don't start here until after Labor Day). He has five AP tests to prep for.
June 7 he will take the SAT2s in Biology and US History. I am going to buy the SAT2 CB books for those. I will also buy the one for math, but he's going to have do some studying early next fall for that.
I told him right now his standardized testing looks great -- 2270 on his one sitting of the SAT and a 5 on his one AP test so far (AP Govt). I've warned him that AP Bio is a tough exam. I'm not sure if his teachers aim for anything above a 3 from the students, since all they say is what percent "passed" which they consider a 3. In order to keep that great record going, he will need to really study for his AP exams (and he's self-studied for the macro- and microeconomics ones, so we'll see how they go!).
I am so NOT looking forward to the worst-of-all-worst-ever 2008-2009 admissions season, because it will be my son's season of college admissions!
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Descartes
Super Moderator
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 03:26 pm |
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DesperateDad wrote: While I also concur that the Real thing is the best practice, unfortunately CB does not provide solutions -- just answers. While answers are helpful, they don't explain standard idioms, for example, which makes the CR difficult for non-native speakers.
FYI, you can get solutions through their Web site, for an additional charge (of course  ). We didn't do this, so I can't tell you more about it.
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DesperateDad
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 03:54 pm |
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for an additional charge (of course ).
Perhaps in the not-too-distant future, CB will setup a payroll deduction program with employers.
Deja: since the AP test is in May and your son will be studying for it, could he take the Bio Subject Test in May as well (thus, opening up an hour in June)?
fwiw: based on my limited experience, kids who are strong in math can score 700+ on Math 2 with little or no prep -- they just need to be a wizard with a calculator.
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Deja
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 05:27 pm |
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DesperateDad wrote: Deja: since the AP test is in May and your son will be studying for it, could he take the Bio Subject Test in May as well (thus, opening up an hour in June)?
fwiw: based on my limited experience, kids who are strong in math can score 700+ on Math 2 with little or no prep -- they just need to be a wizard with a calculator.
He'll be taking the APUSH test on May 9 and AP Bio on May 12.
Which has the closest correlation to the SAT2 test? US History or Biology? Maybe he should take the US History SAT2 in May? Hmmm...I do know that there are some additional areas on the SAT2 which are apparently not covered in AP Bio (at least, that is what one Cornell applicant told me, in our same school system).
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DesperateDad
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 07:09 pm |
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Which has the closest correlation to the SAT2 test? US History or Biology?
Sorry, deja, can't help on that one. But, every HS curriculum is a little different, as are HS teachers and what they focus on. Suggest asking each AP teacher -- they usually have a good idea of what's covered on Subject Tests and how it aligns to what they been taught.
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lfm
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 11:50 pm |
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My son took APUSH last year, and the SAT II. He did do a practice test on the SAT II, just to be sure, but mostly he just studied for the AP exam. He ended up with a 780. He seemed to think it was pretty similar.
He never took bio - AP or SAT, but I do know that the SAT II for bio gives you two options, which you can decide to the day of the test. It would be well worth getting a practice book, to see which one is the better fit.
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Descartes
Super Moderator
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Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 03:01 am |
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| The SAT Subject tests are aimed at the pre-AP level, even if they might include some areas covered neither by the "normal" nor the AP curriculum. The have long been meant to provide a means of comparing subject knowledge across almost every high school, and many high schools do not offer subjects through the AP level. Students completing an AP course should be well-prepared for the corresponding SAT subject test. Last edited on Tue Apr 1st, 2008 03:03 am by Descartes
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Deja
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Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 09:57 pm |
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lfm, I didn't know there were two options for the SAT2 Bio test.
Today is the deadline for regular registration for the May 3 SAT/SAT2 test administration.
He doesn't want to take any tests that day; says he prefers to take US History and Bio on June 7, and take Math 2 in October (probably) or November. So be it.
Thanks for the all the advice -- at least now I know that I probably ought to buy him those review books with practice tests!
(Reading the college admissions carnage tales makes me think he will have to do all that is possible to boost his application before next year's college admissions season...ugh...I can't believe how low the acceptance rates have fallen because there are so many applicants!)
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outwest
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Posted: Wed Apr 2nd, 2008 04:33 am |
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Deja, it may be the worst of all worst seasons, but if he has a good, realistic list with a few reaches he will be fine. One thing my D did was apply to matches and low matches. I didn't think any were gigantic reaches and I don't think she was unrealistic in her chances, but she was waitlisted at the two that were the most competitive to get into. Someone said that when you need financial aid sometimes the low matches and the reaches actually give the best FA (if you get in). I guess that is because the higher level schools have the money and the lower level school wants you so badly. The matches may have two identical kids- one needs aid and one doesn't, so why not take the one who doesn't need aid?
I don't know if this is accurate, of course.
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Deja
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Posted: Wed Apr 2nd, 2008 11:54 am |
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OW, it makes perfect sense to me.
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