a few questions about SAT IIs *just one more question*

[thirtythree]

okay, I signed up for the october test date. I'm not really worried except for the chemistry part. it seems like I forgot everything after the ap test. is there a lot of computation required or is it just general questions about chemistry? thanks.

EDIT: and were you pressed for time on any of the tests?

 

[Leetman]

Writing sample was a joke, they give you like a college ruled 2 sided thing with only about half a page on each side, but then again they only give you like 20 minutes or something, but I thought it was easy.

 

[thirtythree]

What were you supposed to write about?

 

[fyleow]

1) Would I be qualified to take the chemistry test if I scored a 5 on the AP chemistry test?

I don't see why it would disqualify you, go ahead and take the Chemistry one since you will likely do well

2) Is the math on the IIC test as easy as the math on the ACT?

Having taken both recently I would say that the Math IIC is harder because it tests more on advance stuff. ACT only had a few precalculus level problems while the Math II C had more. However, you can use the TI 89 on the Math IIC.

3) If a college says I should take the writing test and two others related to my major but there aren't really any tests related to my major, should I just take a writing, a math, and a science test?

I think colleges prefer if you take the science test as a third one, I would suggest you just take Math IIC, Writing and Chem. One thing you should keep in mind is that they don't care if you take Math IC or IIC and IC is easier. The percentile for IC is lower for 800 so you can make more mistakes on IIC and still get a good score.

4) What is the writing sample on the writing test like?

The writing is a rather short sample of your skills, it's basic things that don't require much background information. I've seen two, one was "The world is changing for the better. Assess the validity of the statement" and another was "Style is more important than practicality" or something like that.

 

[thirtythree]

fyelow:

1) I wasn't worried that it would disqualify me I was wondering if that's enough background in chemistry to do well on the test. It sounds like it is.

2) Is there any advantage to using a TI 89 over using a TI 86?

4) I always have trouble starting pointless essays like that...

Thanks for answering my questions

 

[Reel]

Originally posted by: Deslocke
1) Would I be qualified to take the chemistry test if I scored a 5 on the AP chemistry test?
2) Is the math on the IIC test as easy as the math on the ACT?
3) If a college says I should take the writing test and two others related to my major but there aren't really any tests related to my major, should I just take a writing, a math, and a science test?
4) What is the writing sample on the writing test like?

Mm .. that'll do for now. Thanks for any help.

1) I got a 4 on AP Chem and got near perfect on SAT II in Chem.

2) I found the math pretty easy I recall but I never took the ACT so I cannot compare.

3) Take tests then that would most be like your major.

4) It was pretty bland, typical standardized test boring passage response thing. I found the test as a whole to be fairly bad considering I received 5's on both AP English tests and scored something relatively low on the SAT II in writing.

 

[Reel]

Originally posted by: Deslocke
fyelow:
1) I wasn't worried that it would disqualify me I was wondering if that's enough background in chemistry to do well on the test. It sounds like it is.

2) Is there any advantage to using a TI 89 over using a TI 86?

1) See my above post.
2) Yes, if you have time to learn the differences. TI 89 is much more powerful. It has features that were only included in the QWERTY calculators before such as indefinite integrals. I don't know how many of the advantages are within the scope of that particular test though.

 

[thirtythree]

ReelC00L: How soon after taking AP chemistry did you take the SAT II test?

 

[thirtythree]

Originally posted by: ReelC00L
2) Yes, if you have time to learn the differences. TI 89 is much more powerful. It has features that were only included in the QWERTY calculators before such as indefinite integrals. I don't know how many of the advantages are within the scope of that particular test though.

I don't think there is any calculus on the SAT II tests. At least I hope indefinite integrals are calculus because I haven't learned about them yet

 

[fyleow]

Originally posted by: Deslocke
fyelow:

1) I wasn't worried that it would disqualify me I was wondering if that's enough background in chemistry to do well on the test. It sounds like it is.

I've not taken the Chemistry AP or SAT II so I'm not sure. The AP test should be harder than the SAT II by far and you will do fine, but this doesn't apply to everything. History for example was more difficult for me since the SAT II had a little emphasis on the later part (post Ford administration) and my AP teacher did not cover that well.

2) Is there any advantage to using a TI 89 over using a TI 86?

If you know what you are doing the TI 89 can make idiots mathematical geniuses. I personally punch in things rather quickly so I get answers fast, the most important feature for the 89 is the Algebra Computer System that can simplify equations, factor, expand, etc...

But if you're good at math it doesn't really matter and you will be faster just doing it manually.

4) I always have trouble starting pointless essays like that...

Same here, I did not know what to write and scored badly on it. I will have to retake the SAT and SAT IIs (all of them unfortunately) when October comes along. I just do horribly on standardize testing and I know it will unfairly screw me over for college. I just can't take long test...
Thanks for answering my questions

 

[fyleow]

Originally posted by: Deslocke

Originally posted by: ReelC00L
2) Yes, if you have time to learn the differences. TI 89 is much more powerful. It has features that were only included in the QWERTY calculators before such as indefinite integrals. I don't know how many of the advantages are within the scope of that particular test though.

I don't think there is any calculus on the SAT II tests. At least I hope indefinite integrals are calculus because I haven't learned about them yet

Indefinite integrals are just integrals without a "range". You can identify them easily because the solution usually has a "+ C" after it to indicate a constant. Don't worry it's no on the test.

 

[thirtythree]

Good to know...

Were you pressed for time on any of the SAT II tests?

 

[LordMorpheus]

chem test=easy. got a 760

writing: a joke.

Here is how to write an essay for SATII writing:
the essay will be about some bs topic they give you, and you have to agree/disagree with it and support it.

So, here is your essay:
para1) I agree/disagree with BS statement.
Para2) This example from literature, history, science, or personal experience backs up my view.
Para3) What do you know? So does this example!
para4) And another one!
para5) And therefore, I agree/disagree with your BS topic.

Add 2 or 3 sentences each paragraph, and alter the wording to make it sound more 'polished' (by which I mean, fresh from your ass) and viola! a full credit essay.


the multiple choice can be pretty tough, but it is still easy.

by taking writing and two related to your major, it means, if your engineering prospective, take writin, physics, and chemistry . . or one of the maths and so on and so forth. Premed, make sure you get biology, history major, take the US and world tests, and so on and so forth.

I just did writing, chem, and physics. all were really easy.

(edit: my essay technique is a direct paraphrase from every preperation book i've ever read. Believe it or not, this $hits real)

 

[Reel]

Originally posted by: Deslocke
ReelC00L: How soon after taking AP chemistry did you take the SAT II test?

I took the AP class in 11th grade and the SATII's in Fall of 12th.

Also, the integrals are calculus but I doubt that is on there. While the TI-89 is better in many ways, it would require you to learn how to use it and many of the new features might not even be useful on the SATII.

 

[fizmeister]

Originally posted by: Deslocke
1) Would I be qualified to take the chemistry test if I scored a 5 on the AP chemistry test?

Yes. You should make an 800 without much studying. Just take a practice test so you know what to expect.

2) Is the math on the IIC test as easy as the math on the ACT?

I never took the ACT Math, but the MATH IIC is a joke. There's also a very generous curve...I find it hard to believe anyone who is a good math student could get below a 750 on the exam. An 800 should be no problem.

3) If a college says I should take the writing test and two others related to my major but there aren't really any tests related to my major, should I just take a writing, a math, and a science test?

To be on the safe side for any college you apply to, take one math, one science and one writing. In your case, Math IIC, Chemistry and Writing would suffice.

4) What is the writing sample on the writing test like?

Very easy and very lenient to grade. The prompts are reminiscent of middle school standardized exam prompts; you can make a 9/12 (my friend did) on the writing sample and still make an 790 (granted you aced the multiple choice).

 

[thirtythree]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

 

[thirtythree]

okay, I signed up for the october test date. I'm not really worried except for the chemistry part. it seems like I forgot everything after the ap test. is there a lot of computation required or is it just general questions about chemistry? thanks.

EDIT: and were you pressed for time on any of the tests?

 

[ClueLis]

Very little computation. What little they have is on the level of adding 35+40.
Don't worry about it.

 

[thirtythree]

Originally posted by: ClueLis
Very little computation. What little they have is on the level of adding 35+40.
Don't worry about it.

I'm not worried about doing the math in my head. what I meant was that I don't remember specific formulas but I remember the basic concepts.

 

[thirtythree]

one more try.