By Jessica Brondo
I’ve been getting a lot of questions about whether students should take the Math Level 1 or Level 2 SAT II exam this year and figured it might be an interesting topic for many of you since the math is one of the most popular SAT II exams. For starters, both tests are much more subject-based that the SAT and test students on topics they are learning in school. The level 2 exam is a bit more challenging that the level 1 exam and usually is recommended for students in a pre-Calculus course. HOWEVER (and this is a big however), the Level 2 exam has a MUCH MUCH MUCH easier grading curve than the Level 1 exam. Essentially you can leave several questions blank (or get some questions wrong) and still get a perfect score on the exam. Because of this cushion, a lot of students will actually perform better on the Level 2 exam than the Level 1 exam.
How do you know though?
All Edge students take an initial diagnostic exam in both Level 1 and 2. If a student is scoring about even or only slightly higher on one exam versus the other, we recommend that they opt for the Level 2 because of the more favorable scoring table. If on the other hand, a student is scoring much higher on the Level 1 exam, then we realize that Level 2 is just a bit too advanced and opt for the Level 1 exam.
In terms of the other exams (and some of the myths surrounding them):
1. Prepping for the AP US History exam does NOT fully prepare you for the SAT II in American History. You will need to supplement your prep (and should DEFINITELY take a practice exam). This year the tests are back-to-back (AP is on Friday, May 6 and SAT II is Saturday, May 7. This is nice so you won’t have to review and memorize all of the facts twice, but DEFINITELY make sure you are doing practice tests for both.
2. Take the language exams WITH listening. They are not given at all test dates so make sure that you double check when they are offered. A common time to take the tests with listening is in November (especially for international students).
3. REVIEW YOUR LITERARY TERMS for the Literature test. This exam has a much greater emphasis on literary terms and devices than any other exam, so make sure you know them. AND review poetry!
4. The majority of students find the Molecular section of the Biology SAT II easier than the Ecology, but make sure you know which one you are taking before you go into the test.
5. The Chemistry and Physics exams are A LOT harder than any Honors final, so even if you are getting high 90s on all of your tests in an Honors class throughout the year, you might be scoring in the high 500s on the SAT II. Don’t get discouraged!
Hopefully these are helpful tips for the SAT IIs. Most of you will be taking them either in a few weeks in May or in June, so you better get started prepping for them. Comment with any specific questions you might have about any of the tests.
