Since there seems to be a new thread on Math I/II Subject Tests every single day, I decided to post a little

guide on FAQs and general information so that these types of threads dont pop up so much. I. Background Information II. Preparation III. Calculator IV. Practice Tests V. Tips and Tricks VI. Free Resources. I. Background Information 1. What are the SAT IIs/Subject Tests? SAT Subject Tests are multiple choice standardized tests in specific subject areas that most colleges require for admission. They are offered in October, November, December, January, May, and June, though it varies by test. 2. How many subject tests do I have to take and how many can I take at a time? Many colleges require only two, but some (e.g. Harvard and Georgetown) require three. It never hurts though, to take three tests as they can only help you if you achieve decent scores. You may take up to 3 tests at a time. You sign up for specific tests, but you can take any ones you want at the test site. However, if you take more than you signed up for you must pay a fee. Also, dont take a SAT II if youre not adept in the field. Kids who are good at their particular subject take the tests, so its not like youre competing against every Joe Shmoe. 3. Which ones should I take? Take them in a variety of fields, but include one that is involved in a field you want to study in. For example, if you plan on majoring in chemistry, take chemistry. Also, some schools like MIT may require specific tests so check their web sites. I would suggest 1 math (preferably math II), 1 humanity (history or literature), and 1 science. If youre not planning on going into science, you might want to take a language. Keep in mind though that many native speakers take the language tests so the curve is harsher. 4. What are decent scores? For the Ivies and other top caliber schools, 700+ is expected. For less selective schools, mid to high 600s is decent. Remember that these tests are often required in admission so good scores are necessary!

5. What are the math subject tests like? Each one consists of 50 multiple choice questions to be answered in 60 minutes. The questions increase in difficulty as the test progresses. You receive one point for each question answered correctly, lose 1/4 of a point for each question answered incorrectly, and no points for each question left blank. 6. Whats the difference between Math I and Math II? Math I covers material from Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II/Trigonometry. Math II covers all of the material from Math I as well as Precalculus. 7. What level should I take? Unless you havent taken Precalculus, its in your best interest to take Math II. Math II covers more material, but it has an easier curve. That is to say, you can achieve a score of 43/50 (though it varies year by year) on Math II and still get an 800. You may miss one or two questions on Math I and automatically get bumped down to a 790. In addition, some colleges (like the UCs) only accept Math II.

II. Preparation Obviously the best preparation is a solid foundation in math achieved by taking good math classes in school. However, we all know that not everyone gets a good math teacher every year. Thus, it becomes necessary to do some work outside of class to prepare. Depending on your proficiency level, you will want to set aside 2-4 (or more) weeks to prepare. In my opinion, the best way to prepare is to take and review as many practice tests as possible. I will list various books that will assist you on the path to 800. Amazon.com: The Official SAT Subject Tests in Mathematics Levels 1 & 2 Study Guide (Official Sat Subject Tests in Mathematics Levels 1 & 2 Study Guide): The College Board: Books This is the official College Board study guide for Math I and II. It does not contain any substantial review material (lessons), but it offers 2 released tests in each of Math I and II. It also provides a scoring key that allows you to estimate what your score would be like on the real test. Real tests are indispensable! Amazon.com: The Official Study Guide for All SAT Subject Tests (Real Sats): The College Board: Books Another CB guide, this book contains one test each for Math I and II. However, it also contains one test for every other subject test, so you can use this book for future SAT Subject Tests. Amazon.com: Barron's SAT Subject Test Math Level 2 2008 (Barron's How to Prepare for the Sat II Mathematics, Level Iic): Richard Ku M.A., Howard P. Dodge: Books Barrons Math II is notorious for being MUCH more difficult than the actual Math II test. Dont buy this book if youre not looking for an 800. It provides a thorough and excessive review of

the material and 6 (overly hard) practice tests. Ive heard of people getting 600s on the practice tests who ended up with 800. Amazon.com: 15 Realistic Tests for the SAT Math Level 2: With Solutions: Rusen Meylani: Books The RUSH book, this book has 15 practice tests for you to work through. Like Barrons, it is harder than the real test, but will prepare you well. Another dont buy if you dont want 800 book. Amazon.com: Cracking the SAT Math 1 and 2 Subject Tests, 2007-2008 Edition (College Test Prep): Princeton Review: Books Princeton Review is your best option if you are taking Math I or if an 800 is really not that important to you. This book covers both Math I and II. While it may be clearer and more concise than Barrons, it may not be enough for 800. I also suggest using Sparknotes (www.sparknotes.com), which Ill discuss later. In general, you fall into two categories, must have 800 and dont have to have 800 but want a good score Must Have 800 - Barrons (if you need to review the material) - RUSH (if you dont need to review) Dont Have to Have 800 - PR (for practice tests and review) Both - Official CB Guides

III. Calculator A calculator is allowed for both Math I and II. I recommend using a graphing calculator as it makes the problems easier and simply because I cant stand scientific ones. Youd be a fool to take the test without a calculator. The test makers have a way of tricking people into thinking that a calculator is needed for every problem. However, it is often simpler and faster not to use one for certain problems. Clues like decimal answer choices will tip you off that a calculator is needed. Amazon.com: Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus Silver Edition Graphing Calculator: Electronics I personally use the TI-84 Plus Silver Edition. Its a great calculator and very easy to use. You wont need anything more for high school math. Amazon.com: Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium Graphing Calculator: Electronics

The TI-89 is a very powerful calculator used in upper levels of math and science. Its not necessary to do well on Math I and II, but if your school lets you use this, buy it. The things you can do on it are numerous. IV. Practice Tests So how do you take practice tests? This is clichd, but set aside a quiet hour when your little sister isnt screaming or parents arent yelling at you to mow the lawn. Sit at a clear desk and plan on not getting up for an hour. If you can, have your parent time you. Its much easier to go over the time limit if youre timing yourself. What I did was this 1. Took practice test and calculated score 2. Read over ALL the explanations to the answers, even the ones I got right. CBs method of solving may be better or more efficient than mine. 3. Write down on a separate sheet of paper each problem I got wrong and why. Thankfully, there werent a lot of those. 4. Review that sheet before each practice test CB also provides a table that shows what percentage of students got a question right. USE THAT! If youre getting a question wrong that 89% of other students did too, thats OK, you didnt know a complex concept. However, if 95% of kids got it right and you didnt, theres something wrong. Stupid mistake? Make sure never to make it again. Lastly, space out your practice tests. Dont take 3 in the same day. You want time to prepare in between so you can notice a difference in your scores. V. Tips and Tricks I would like to emphasize again that it is in your best interest to take Math II. Most of the tips I list here apply for math II. These apply for the TI 84 but you could probably do them on an 83 too. Standard Deviation: SD is a method in statistics to determine how spread out a set of values are. Yes, thats not an exact definition, but if youre like me, you wont have taken stats by the time you decide to take Math II. Theres sometimes one question on Math II that asks you to determine the SD of a set of numbers. Rather than arduously calculate it and likely make a mistake, heres how your calculator can do it 1. 2nd STAT 2. Under MATH, select stdDev ( 3. 2nd (, which makes a { 4. Type in the numbers of your set separated by commas 5. 2nd ) 6. ) 7. You should have something like stdDev({1, 2, 3})

8. Enter One other basic fact you should know: multiplying a set of numbers by a common value changes the SD but adding or subtracting a number from all of them wont change the SD. Matrices: Again, one or two questions might ask you about the determinant of matrices. Thats not a lot, but it could be the difference between 790 and 800. To calculate the determinant: 1. 2nd x^-1 (the button right under MATH) 2. Go to EDIT 3. Select the first matrix, [A] 4. Adjust for the size of your matrix. For example, if the matrix had 4 rows and 4 columns, you would type 4 enter 4. 5. Type in the coefficients for the matrix. For example, 1 enter, 5 enter, etc. 6. 2nd MODE 7. 2nd x^-1 8. Under MATH, select det( 9. 2nd x^-1 10. Under NAMES, select [A] 11. ) 12. You should now have det([A]) 13. Enter This process seems tedious, but it becomes faster as you practice. Plus, with 4 x 4 or 5 x 5 matrices, Cramers rule takes too long and youll make a mistake. Regression: This is a method to extrapolate new values based on old ones. This can be done by hand, but it takes awhile. CB even explains answers to these types of questions like using a calculator, the equation is calculated to be . These are the classic using a least squares linear regression, calculate this or that. Chances are this wasnt taught in school, but I figured out how to do it on the calculator. Usually this problem will be given in the form of a table, with x and y values. 1. 2nd ( 2. Enter the x values separated by commas 3. 2nd ) 4. STO > 5. 2nd 1 6. You should now have something like {1, 6, 9} L1 7. Enter. What youre doing here is storing values to a list. 8. Repeat, entering the y values in and store them in L2 (2nd 2) 9. STAT 10. Under CALC, select what type of regression they ask for. Its usually linear, but see if its quadratic or cubic or exponential or whatever. 11. ( 12. 2nd 1 comma 2nd 2

13. ) 14. You should now have LinReg(ax + b) (L1, L2) but the first part will depend on the type of regression youre doing 15. Enter 16. The calculator will display an equation like y = ax + b and will list the a and b values. Look back to the question. It will ask something like how many bugs are in the colony after 8 hours of whatever. So if your equation were y = 8x + 18, you would substitute 8 for x and get 8*8 + 18. Then your calculator will give you that answer. You may ask why you should learn how to do all this stuff when it seems tedious and easier just to study other stuff. A good 3-5 of the harder questions may be on this material. You want as many questions right as possible because in math it is so easy to make a mistake.

If youre a decent math student and/or are pressed for time, learn these topics - Probability - Permutations and Combinations - Sets and Unions - Group Problems Again, they dont show up a lot, but you want to squeeze as many points out as you can. If youre REALLY pressed for time (e.g. night before), consider taking the test the next month. If not, take a timed practice test and read all of the answers and explanations. VI. Free Resources If youre out of cash, its the night before the test, or for whatever reason you cant get a book, go to SparkNotes: SAT Subject Test: Math Level 1: SparkNotes: SAT Subject Test: Math Level 1 SparkNotes: SAT Subject Test: Math Level 2: SparkNotes: SAT Subject Test: Math Level 2 Sparknotes has its entire Math I and II books online. You can read through all the lessons. In addition, you can create a free account and take any of its 5 practice tests each for math I and II online. They are very accurate but your eyes might hurt after staring at the computer for an hour.