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Dear Sophomore Parents,</div>
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As the second semester is now underway, we wanted to send you this timely information in regards to the Chemistry subject test and a College Counseling calendar for your reference.</div>
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Please read the following statement from the Science department regarding the SAT subject test in Chemistry. If you have further questions after reading this information, please feel free to contact your child’s individual Chemistry teacher or the College Office directly. </div>
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From the Science Department: </div>
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The introductory level classes (Physics I and IA, Bio I and IA, Chem I and IA) are not intended to explicitly prepare students for the SAT Subject tests; therefore, it is unlikely that all of the sub-topics that the tests address will be covered in the class at the appropriate depth. If students are interested in taking one of these tests, they should speak with their Science teacher to discuss this possibility and formulate a study plan. The teacher can help determine what topics will need to be learned independently and suggest appropriate resources. These students should be prepared, in addition to keeping up with the class itself, to study outside of class in order to learn those topics and review others before the SAT test.</div>
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10th grade students currently taking Chemistry I or IA should consider taking the subject test if: </div>
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o They are succeeding at the A/A- level based on test and exam performance.</div>
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o They have talked with their current Chemistry teacher about the test and what (if anything) they will need to review to prepare for the exam </div>
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o They have reviewed the College Board information on the SAT Subject Test in Chemistry including reviewing sample questions: </div>
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http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-subject-test-preparation/Chemistry-em </div>
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Students should not take the Chemistry Subject Test because they believe “everyone else is doing it.” On average over the past few years, 20-25 sophomores have taken the Subject test after 10th grade. Additionally, there will be other opportunities to take subjects exams later in their Sidwell career on which they feel more prepared to do well. Students should not take the Chemistry Subject Test if in order for them to feel confident about their level of preparation they have to take time away from their “regular” Sidwell work. </div>
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Students can take the Chemistry Subject Test on either May 2 or June 6. We would recommend the June test date as it sits closer to the end of the school year. Please keep in mind that June 6 is after the exam period for Sidwell and the Chemistry second semester exam for Sidwell is NOT a cumulative exam like the SAT Subject Test. Sidwell is also a test center in June though unfortunately, we cannot reserve spots. </div>
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Registration is completed on the College Board website: </div>
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http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/ </div>
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A few more general comments about the Subject Tests: </div>
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o SAT Subject Tests were once called “Achievement Tests” and “SAT II tests.” </div>
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o SAT Subject Tests are required by many colleges, but NOT all. Generally speaking, the more competitive a school is, the more likely it is that they will require Subject Test scores. </div>
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o The vast majority of schools that require Subject Test scores require scores on two different exams. </div>
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o Students can re-take an exam in any subject if they want to, but they may also want to “replace” their score with a score from another subject exam. Schools have different policies governing whether or not a student must share all test scores. </div>
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o Exams are available in the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Chinese, Spanish, French, Latin, United States History, Math I or II. The College Board website is THE BEST resource for information about these different exams. Please refer to the College Board website: http://sat.collegeboard.org/about-tests </div>
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o Ultimately, students must know the testing requirements for the schools to which they plan to apply. </div>
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o Our advice is that students should play to their strengths when choosing which specific exams to take; they should aim to take exams for which they can be successful with the least amount of review. </div>
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Best,</div>
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The College Counseling Team</div>

Attachments:
(College Calendar Gr. 1012.pdf) http://connection.naviance.com/download.php?id=M3RocE16dWtGZEN2UGR4bG15MGZ6UT09