NNHS Science Department Policy regarding subject SAT II tests - November 2008

Science courses at Newton North High School are aligned with the MA State Curriculum Frameworks. In designing the curriculum for our courses, we balance the breadth required by the state frameworks with our desire for students to learn science content and skills at a deep, rather than surface, level. This balance of breadth and depth drives the decisions we must make when we decide which topics to include in any given course. As a result, our courses are not necessarily well aligned with the SAT II subject tests, tests that emphasize breadth over depth. It is important for students to also understand that not all students need to take SAT II subject tests. Students should discuss SAT IIs with both their counselor and their science teacher. Counselors will be able to advise students as to whether or not they need to consider taking the SAT II while science teachers have knowledge of a student’s general ability to be successful on a particular SAT II test.

If a student would like to take an SAT II subject test in science, he/she should be aware of the following important information:

• A student should take the May or June test, at the end of the corresponding course.
• Students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses are generally well prepared for the SAT II subject test.

There may be a few topics to which students need a brief introduction.

• Students enrolled in non-AP courses will not have learned all topics on the subject tests in their NNHS science courses. Therefore, if a student chooses to take an SAT II in a science subject, he should plan on completing significant outside-of-school preparation. With outside preparation, these students can still do quite well on the SAT II subject tests in science.
• We encourage students to enroll in one of the review courses offered by Newton Community Ed in preparation for the subject tests. These courses will provide brief introductions to topics not covered in NNHS science courses.
• A second option to prepare for the SAT II is to complete self-study using one of the available preparation books.
• Lastly families may consider hiring an outside tutor for preparation. A list of science tutors is available from Anna Ford, the math and science departments’ secretary. The student’s science teacher will be able to tell the student what topics from the SAT II outline he will need to study with his tutor.

Click here for a pdf of this document on North's SAT II Policy.