What are some common concerns about the SAT Subject test for Physics?

[cupid.callin]

SAT Subject test - Physics ??

HI everyone

I heard about SAT test few months ago. I looked at the subject which included a lot of ENGLISH. Unfortunately i am not really good in English so i considered Subject test.

But i have few questions about it.

First, What is its use. I mean, will i get admission on the bases of the score alone or is it just something like an addition o my profile just to impress the college a little bit.

Second, Is the level or questions in real test comparable to the level of practice test?
Here's the link tp physics practice test, just in case: http://sat.collegeboard.com/practice/sat-subject-test-preparation/physics"

And yes, I am not from USbut from India so are the test centers in every country?
And will my Indian citizenship effect my admission?


Thanks a lot for any replies
:)

 

[fss]

It depends on the institution to which you are applying. Many US universities- especially the upper-level ones, require some form of proof that you can speak, read, and write to a level that you can succeed there. For foreign students this is usually the SAT Reasoning test, ACT with writing, or Test of English as a Foreign language (TOEFL).

Similarily, the Physics Departments also tend to recommend or require the SAT Physics subject test if you intend on declaring a major in Physics.

 

[cupid.callin]

It depends on the institution to which you are applying. Many US universities- especially the upper-level ones, require some form of proof that you can speak, read, and write to a level that you can succeed there. For foreign students this is usually the SAT Reasoning test, ACT with writing, or Test of English as a Foreign language (TOEFL).

Similarily, the Physics Departments also tend to recommend or require the SAT Physics subject test if you intend on declaring a major in Physics.

So what you are saying is that i can get admission in some average university by just SAT physics test.
but for high level university i also need SAT reasoning test or TOEFL?

can you please tel me in which colleges i will get admission using just physics scores?

And Is the level or questions in real test comparable to the level of practice test?

 

[Vanadium 50]

There are more than 400 colleges in the US. It would take a lot of work for us to look at each college's requirements.

 

[fss]

So what you are saying is that i can get admission in some average university by just SAT physics test.
but for high level university i also need SAT reasoning test or TOEFL?

can you please tel me in which colleges i will get admission using just physics scores?

And Is the level or questions in real test comparable to the level of practice test?

You can do your own research and find out which colleges you're interested and what their admissions requirements are.

 

[vhbelvadi]

for high level university i also need SAT reasoning test or TOEFL?

You might make it 'and' TOEFL.
If I'm not very mistaken, I think you need TOEFL compulsorily for admission to any American University. TOEFL has nothing to do with the subject tests, because it is to show your proficiency in English used as a foreign language.
And from my last visit to the Brit Council here in Bangalore, if you also want to try your hand at a non-US university outside India, such as in the UK, you might want to think of IELTS.
IELTS also holds as a replacement for TOEFL in almost all US universities, so it's like one test recognised by all countries as opposed to TOEFL's solely US recognition.

 

[cupid.callin]

So conclusion is that its compulsory to give SAT 1 or TOEFL or some equivalent exam to get admission in any foreign university, right?

Will giving SAT II - Physics or chemistry give me ant benefit over other applicants.

I want to do a course in physics.

And please someone tell me this: Is the level or questions in real test comparable to the level of practice test?

(i am asking it third time and now it looks kind of awkward :shy: )

 

[n1person]

At almost all US Colleges/Universities you really should take either the SAT, ACT, or TOEFL. There are some "SAT optional" schools but those are a tiny minority.

As far as a benefit, it depends on how well you do and where you are applying. If you are applying to a "regular"/"less competitive" type school (some state schools, a lot of random private schools) doing very well on physics might be a distinguishing factor, particularly when combined with good grades.

However at the most competitive schools and/or at schools well known for physics (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, UChicago, MIT, Caltech, UC-Berkeley, WPI, RPI, etc.) doing very well on SAT II - Physics is more of an expectation than a distinguishing factor. If you look at accepted applicants to those schools they have "something extra" like advanced coursework, independent research, excellence in other fields, etc.

 

[cupid.callin]

which book for SAT I will you guys advice?
SAT Official or something else?