The best place to start when deciding which test or tests to take is your current course schedule. If you’re in any AP or IB classes right now that correspond with an SAT Subject Test, there’s a good chance that the curriculum for the course will overlap with the test content. Subject Tests are offered in two levels of math (Math 1 and Math 2), Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Literature, US History, World History, and several foreign languages. If your school doesn’t offer AP or IB courses, or if you’re taking an honors or advanced level course that you think could be good preparation for a Subject Test, ask your teacher about it. S/he should be familiar with the test content and be able to tell you if the course you’re currently taking will prepare you.

Once you’ve decided on some options, take a practice exam in each subject. Your performance on the practice exams should give you a sense of which tests will be most appropriate. The College Board offers a detailed SAT Subject Test study guide that has several practice tests and provides detailed information on all of the tests. 

Subject Tests are each one hour long and are multiple-choice (no fill-ins). They’re offered every time the SAT is offered, except March: October, November, December, January, May, and June. Many students like to take their Subject Tests to coincide with their AP exams in May or their final exams in June. Since you’re already studying for these exams, you can maximize your study time by taking Subject Tests around the same time. 

You can take up to three Subject Tests on one test day, and as long as you’re registered for at least one, you can change your mind about which Subject Tests you’re taking (and how many) up until the day of the test. So if you’re unsure about the specifics of which Subject Tests you’re taking, it’s still advisable to register early and decide on the details as things become clearer on your end. Also note that you can take either Subject Tests or the SAT on a given test date, but not both.

As your College List firms up, you’ll have a better sense of whether Subject Tests are required. Though your list is likely still in progress, look at the standardized testing requirements as you’re researching colleges. If you notice that some likely contenders require or recommend them, you should plan to take them. If none of the schools require them, then you can hold off for now. Either way, pay close attention to the requirements of schools you’re researching so you are appropriately prepared come fall.

Read on for more information about how to make the most of  the PSAT.

SAT Preparation. You can use your PSAT score to help you prepare for the SAT later this year. The PSAT has three sections: Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing Skills. Each section is scored on a scale of 20-80. If you add a zero to the end, the score looks a lot like an SAT score. However, don’t think that your score on the PSAT is a prophecy of how you’ll do on the SAT. Instead, you should view your PSAT score as an opportunity to see which sections, and which question types you can work on to help improve your SAT score. 

The PSAT score report, officially called the PSAT Score Report Plus, has several useful tools for you to use in preparing for the SAT. In order to fully take advantage of these tools, you need to create an account with My College QuickStart. Here are just some of the useful tools that your PSAT Score Report Plus and My College QuickStart give you.

1) Personalized ranges that show how your scores might vary if you took the test multiple times.

2) Personalized feedback on your PSAT performance.  You can see which specific skills on the PSAT are your strengths, and which you could improve upon.

3) You’ll get a copy of your actual PSAT Test booklet.  You’ll be able to see the level of difficulty of each question, and how you scored on each question.

4) A customized SAT study plan based on your PSAT performance.

National Merit Scholarship Program. Your junior year PSAT Score is also used to determine your eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The highest scorers on the PSAT in each state are invited to continue in the National Merit competition as Semifinalists. Semifinalists then have to complete an application to become Finalists. Scholarship Winners are then selected from among the Finalists. If you want to move forward in the competition, be sure to complete the application National Merit sends you, and follow all instructions carefully. 

National Merit Scholarships tend to be very small, and some colleges will match these awards, or provide awards of their own for Winners, Finalists, and/or Semifinalists.  If you receive National Merit recognition – great! But don’t expect it to make up for other weaknesses in your profile.  Your four year academic record and your SAT/ACT scores (where required) will be stronger indicators of your chances for admission than your National Merit status.  This also means that if you are not selected for National Merit, not to worry. 

Colleges won’t use your PSAT score in evaluating your application, and your score is not necessarily a predictor of what your SAT score will be.  Take advantage of the interactive score report to help you prepare for the SAT, and if you are selected as a National Merit Semifinalist, continue on in the competition.  In general, think of the PSAT as another useful tool in the college application process.  

Test-Optional and Test-Flexible are college admissions testing policies that do not have the traditional SAT, SAT Subject Test, or ACT requirements.  These schools deemphasize the use of SAT and ACT scores in making admissions decisions, either by not requiring them at all, or by allowing students to submit other types of test scores, or even graded class assignments.  For a complete list of Test-Optional and Test-Flexible schools, visit Fairtest.org. 

Test-Optional.  Will not require SAT, SAT Subject Test, or ACT scores from their applicants. However, most Test-Optional colleges will give you the option to submit your scores if you want to. In some cases, a test-optional school will ask that if you choose to not submit your SAT or ACT scores that you submit a graded paper you wrote for school or some other project or credential, instead.

Test-Flexible.  Test-Flexible schools are a bit different because they want to see the results of somestandardized testing, but it does not have to be the SAT or ACT, per se.  Test-Flexible policies range from allowing students to submit 2 or 3 SAT Subject Test scores instead of the SAT or ACT, to allowing applicants to submit the results of just about any standardized tests (IB or AP scores, for example). Schools will sometimes allow students to submit scores in combination, such as the SAT Critical Reading Section, the AP Calculus exam, and an SAT Subject Test in French.

If you see that some schools on your list are Test-Optional or Test-Flexible, you can use that information to help present yourself in the most favorable light to that school. 

At a Test-Optional school, if your SAT or ACT scores are at the high end of their middle 50% range, or above their middle 50% range, it would probably be to your advantage to submit your test scores.  However, if your scores are on the lower end of their middle 50%, or below their middle 50% range, you may want to consider not submitting them.  No matter what, you’ll want to make sure that the scores you send represent you well, relative to the college’s overall applicant pool.  

At a Test-Flexible school, you want to submit the best scores you have – and you have some flexibility on what to send. Each college’s policy is unique, so it’s important to review each school’s test options, and compare them to your scores. Within the college’s parameters, choose the scores that represent you best. You can always ask your college counselor for help if you’re having trouble deciding.   

Test-Optional and Test-Flexible policies are numerous and complex – and the options are increasing.  So it’s important to always check with the school directly to confirm their testing policy before making any assumptions.  However, if you take the time to educate yourself and read each school’s instructions, you can present yourself (and your testing) in the best possible light.  

Until now, applicants to Ithaca have had two application options.  They could apply by November 1 as an Early Decision applicant to receive a binding admissions decision by December 15.  Alternately, they could apply by February 1 as a Regular Decision applicant to receive an admissions decision by April 1.  Starting this fall, Ithaca College will offer a third option: to apply by December 1 under a non-binding Early Action deadline to receive an admissions decision by February 1.

The new application option will allow students who are excited about Ithaca College (but perhaps not ready to commit to attending) to still apply early and show their enthusiasm for the college.  Note that because of the audition and interview process, applicants to the Music or Theatre programs cannot apply Early Action.

Applicants will also have the option of not submitting SAT or ACT scores.  Students with a strong academic record in school, but relatively weaker test scores, can feel less anxious about applying to Ithaca.  However, home-schooled students and students who attend schools with descriptive (as opposed to alphanumeric) report cards must submit an SAT or ACT score; all international students whose first language is not English must also submit a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score. 

Notably, the MCAT is placing more of an emphasis on the social sciences than it has in the past.  On the 2015 exam, in addition to two sections on the Natural Sciences, there are going to be two new sections: Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (yes, that is the name of one section) and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills.  The Writing Sample section will be eliminated.  In all, the updated exam will be about an hour longer.   

With the addition of Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior, and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, the AAMC is recognizing that health is influenced not only by purely biological and natural science factors, but also by our psychology, behavior, society, and culture.  The two sections will test students’ accumulated knowledge in the social sciences, and also their reasoning ability in social science disciplines through analysis of various passages. 

Considering the coming changes to the MCAT, it’s important to reflect on how this could change your academic trajectory.  Physicians are expected to be well-versed in more than the sciences, and to have a more holistic worldview.  If you are considering a career in the medical profession, be sure to include a solid base in the humanities and social sciences in your college coursework.  This will help prepare you to take the MCAT, and ensure you have covered the breadth of knowledge and skills that will be expected of you in medical school and beyond.

Test takers who are worried about having an “off day,” will now have the option of retaking the test without needing to share the lower score.  However, applicants will have to submit scores for an entire administration of the exam, meaning they cannot send sections of GRE scores from different dates.

With the addition of score choice for the GRE, it could become a more popular test for business school applicants who would otherwise have taken the GMAT, which requires applicants to submit all scores. 

ETS’ new policy gives the applicant more control in the graduate school application process.  Just remember to check-in with the schools you are applying to before deciding to send just one, or all, of your GRE scores.  Some graduate schools may want to see your entire score history to provide context for your test scores, and others may not have a preference.  Either way, your best plan is to follow the recommendation of the Admissions Office.

The best place to start is by looking at your current course schedule.  If you are in any AP or IB classes right now that correspond with an SAT Subject Test, there is a good chance that the curriculum for the course will overlap with the test content.  Since you are already studying for that AP or IB exam, the Subject Test should require minimal prep work.

If your school does not offer AP or IB courses, or if you are taking an honors or advanced level course that you think would be good preparation for a Subject Test, ask your teacher about it.  S/he should be familiar with the Subject Test content and be able to tell you if the course you are currently taking will prepare you.

Once you have decided on some options, take a practice exam in each subject.  Your performance on the practice exams should give you a sense of which tests you will do better in.

Remember, as long as you are registered for at least one, you can change your mind about which Subject Tests you’re taking (and how many) up until the day of the test! 

Kelly Walter, Assistant Vice President & Executive Director of Admissions at Boston University, announced this week that they will no longer require freshmen applicants to submit SAT Subject Test scores.  The only exceptions to this will be for students applying to the Accelerated Medical and Accelerated Dental Programs.  All freshmen applicants must still submit either the SAT or the ACT with Writing.