What you’re refering to is the SAT Subject tests. The University of California system all but requires Math 2 on the SAT exam, so I will assume that most other “elite” colleges will as well.

So, good luck with that. But, instead of using the term “elite” try the word “selective”. I know of many colleges that are “selective” that maybe some have never heard of. Pomona University is a liberal arts college that accepts around 18 percent of it applicants compared to 24 percent at UC Berekley. By the way, Harvard accepts 9 percents of its applicants. So, selectivity is one way to rank your choices.

However, there are so many universities out there that are dying to enroll a student that obviously seems serious about education. Look beyond what you might normally consider. Collegeboard.com has a great university search engine that searches by criteria that you select.

So if you have only completed Algebra I and II, then I would say you are not prepared for Math 2.

So no, it wasn’t a bad idea.