Frequently Asked Questions
1. When will I have a "college adviser?"
You will first meet your college adviser in December of your junior year. Your class will be divided among Dr. Honig and Mr. Blumenthal.
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2. If I want to talk to someone about college or testing requirements before an adviser is assigned to me, what should I do?
If you are in ninth or tenth grade it is really too early to be thinking about college - relax, and enjoy your life. If, however, you have a question that you feel cannot wait until December of junior year, feel free to come down to the College Office. All of the college advisers are happy to speak to any student at any time about college-related matters. Parents may call with any questions.
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3. What SAT II subject tests should I take? When should I take them? What, if any, are the drawbacks to taking these tests?
SAT II subject tests, one-hour exams offered by the Educational Testing Service, are not required by most colleges. The majority of students who take SAT I exams take no SAT II exams at all. Other than the cost of these exams, the possible drawback to taking subject tests is a matter of proportion. These tests are not weighed as heavily in the college admissions process as SAT I is, even by the colleges that require them. The most important thing in a student's record is his or her high school transcript - the kinds of courses taken and the grades earned in those courses. If preparing for subject tests takes valuable time away from study, it is not advisable. If taking and even re-taking these tests creates a sense of frenzy in the student, it is also not advisable.
Colleges that require subject tests generally require two; they may be in any subject areas. Certain specialized programs, such as engineering, may have other requirements (see question 7 below). Otherwise, students should aim for diversity in their choice of tests, but be guided primarily by their academic strengths. It is more important to have high scores than to show diversity in these tests.
Certain tests are given only on certain dates. For example, the Hebrew test is given only in June, so students who plan to take it must do so in June of the sophomore or junior year. Certain tests are tied to particular subject matter. If they are to be taken at all, the tests in biology, chemistry, physics, and American history should properly be taken at the conclusion of the related course. Failing that, these tests could be taken in fall of the senior year if the student continues the study of the subject in an Honors course.
Other tests are more comprehensive in nature, and a student is likely to do better the later he or she takes the exam, provided that study of the subject continues. This is true for foreign language tests, math tests, and the literature test. Many students will be prepared for these tests during the latter part of the junior year. If scores are disappointing, any of these exams may be retaken in the fall of the senior year.
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4. How do I know if I should be taking the SAT II subject test in biology?
Usually, strong science students in the honors biology classes at Ramaz do very well on this exam. Students who are in the accelerated biology classes and are doing especially well may also score nicely on this exam, though all will need to learn more material on their own. The best way to know if it is right for you to take this exam is to ask your biology teacher. Your teacher will be able to judge how much extra work you will need to devote to biology in the weeks preceding the exam to be prepared for it. If you have to put in a great deal of extra time and effort to prepare for this exam, it may not be worthwhile. The extra time might be put to better use in completing your other school work, in reading, or in just relaxing. There will be many opportunities to take other subject tests later in your high school career, should you need them. No college requires the subject test in biology.
If you are a good candidate for this test, just come down to the College Office for registration forms and a clergy letter authorizing a Sunday test. Directions for completing the forms are available on this website.
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5. Which of the SAT II subject tests in biology should I take?
There are two different subject tests in biology. The exams share a common core of questions but then give students the option to answer a series of questions on either molecular or environmental biology. The emphasis in the Ramaz science curriculum is towards molecular biology, and it is the strong recommendation of the science chair and the college advisers that Ramaz students who take a biology subject test take the exam in molecular biology.
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6. What kinds of colleges require SAT II subject tests? How do I know if I am qualified for admission at those colleges?
Only the most selective colleges require subject tests. Their rationale for the SAT II requirement is that they need more subject-specific normative data to evaluate their many highly qualified candidates than the SAT I test alone provides. You are likely to be an appropriate candidate for admission at very selective colleges if you have grades of B+ or higher in a demanding course of study.
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7. Do any colleges require the SAT II subject test in chemistry? How do I know if I should take this test?
Most engineering programs require either the chemistry test or the physics test, so if studying engineering is a consideration for you, you should take the chemistry test in June of the sophomore year to keep your options open.
Any student who is performing very well in the honors section of chemistry should consider taking this exam, although additional study will be required. Students should consult their chemistry teacher for help in making this decision.
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8. Is sophomore year a good time to take other SAT II subject tests to "get them out of the way" before crunch time during junior and senior years?
Junior and senior years are indeed "crunch times." Nevertheless, subject tests should be taken when a student is likely to achieve the highest score.
June of the sophomore year, right after the chemistry course, is a sensible time to take the subject test in chemistry if chemistry is a strength (see question 7 above). June of the sophomore year is also a good time to take the Hebrew test if a student is particularly strong in Hebrew, as there will be only one more opportunity to take this particular test, June of the junior year.
Many of the other subject tests depend upon cumulative knowledge. Tests in mathematics, literature, and foreign languages other than Hebrew should be taken as late in the high school career as possible, provided that the student continues his or her study of these subjects. A student who scores even as high as a 700 in the sophomore year in Math Level 1, for example, is a student who might score even higher in Math Level 1 by the end of junior year or the beginning of senior year. The student would be better served by taking the test later and scoring higher. These tests yield somewhat to study and practice, but improvement comes primarily with increased class time, increased age, and increased maturity.
Taking comprehensive subject tests early in the high school career for "practice" yields little in the way of improved results later. Students can take sample tests for free in the comfort of home. The student who scores 800 in Math Level 1 as a senior after scoring 650 in the sophomore year and 720 in the junior year would have scored 800 in the senior year without taking the earlier tests and would have saved several anxious hours and some money.
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9. Do Ramaz students take the SAT II in Hebrew language?
Ramaz students who are particularly proficient in Hebrew language take this test in June of the sophomore or junior years. The test is given only in June. Students should be aware that many who take the Hebrew language test are Israelis. Since all tests are graded on a curve based on the raw scores of the test takers, one must make very few errors to achieve a high score on the Hebrew language test.
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10. Do Ramaz sophomores take the SAT II in mathematics?
A few Ramaz sophomores in the honors math track take the Math Level 1 SAT II in late spring. However, the college advisers feel that most students are not as well-prepared for that exam as they will be as juniors.
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11. How do I know which of the two mathematics exams I should take, and when?
As with the science exams, the decision about whether to take the Math Level 1, Level 2, or both of these tests is a decision that should be made in consultation with your math teacher. Most Ramaz students will be prepared to take the Level 1 exam by the end of their junior year. Strong students in the honors track will be prepared to take the Level 2 by spring of their junior year. When you meet with your college adviser during junior year, planning your individual testing schedule will be an important priority.
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12. Is there an advantage to taking an SAT II subject test multiple times?
Maturation, not multiple testing, strengthens test performance. Maturation is more essential to your success than taking an subject test multiple times. The best time to take an SAT II subject test is when your understanding of the subject material is as complete and mature as possible. For instance, the logical date for an advanced or honors science student to take the SAT II in that science is in June of the year that the science is being studied. For those students who would like to gain familiarity with individual subject test formats to feel more confident about the test, reading the College Board publications of actual subject tests will be as useful as multiple testing. There are also a great many commercial preparatory materials available. Check your local library.
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13. What is a "good" score on an SAT II subject test?
This is a difficult question to answer, since a "good" score for one student may not be considered such by another. You should certainly keep in mind the fact that nationwide, only a very small percentage of all students taking the SAT I take each specific SAT II test, so even if you are unhappy with your score, your score may still place you in a very select group. You are welcome to ask any adviser in the College Office about your scores.
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14. When should I take my first SAT I?
The normal sequence for SAT I testing is once in the spring of the junior year and once in the fall of the senior year. For a student taking no subject tests, a June/October or June/November sequence is very common. For students taking subject tests, a May/October or May/November sequence is common.
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15. Should I take the SAT I or the ACT or both?
The ACT with Writing section is accepted by colleges in lieu of the SAT I. The SAT I is more conceptual in nature while the ACT is more subject-oriented, testing students in English, mathematics, reading, science, and writing. Students who are adept readers and good at learning bodies of material, but anxious about conceptual thinking under timed conditions, may do better on the ACT than the SAT. Generally, however, Ramaz students have performed even better on the SAT I than on the ACT. Consult your college adviser about making this decision. Please note that the ACT test is not administered in Ramaz, nor will it be available on all the same Sunday test dates as the SAT in the New York area. See the
Calendar section on this website and consult, as well,
www.actstudent.org.
Many colleges do accept the ACT with Writing in lieu of both the SAT I and two or more SAT II tests, but some do not. Some of the Ivy League colleges, for example, will accept the ACT with Writing in place of the SAT I only, not the SAT II subject tests. Be sure to check the websites of the colleges you are considering, as well as consulting with your college adviser.
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17. Must I report all my standardized test scores to colleges?
No. Students taking the ACT have the option to choose which test date's scores to report to colleges. Students taking the SAT have a similar option to choose which tests to send to colleges, although some colleges are requesting applicants to report all scores. Just remember not to get too caught up in taking and retaking these tests numerous times, as your transcript is the most important part of college admissions evaluations.
Students are allowed to choose which test date of the SAT I they want to submit (Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing all will be reported). For SAT II subject tests, students are allowed to select which individual test results to submit to colleges, even if multiple tests were taken on the same day.
It is always the student's responsibility to make sure that test scores are reported to colleges. Students do so for the SAT through the College Board (www.collegeboard.com) and for the ACT through the American College Testing Program (www.actstudent.org) websites. Consult with your adviser before reporting any scores to colleges.
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