The SAT Subject Tests: A Comprehensive Guide
The SAT, a well-known and sometimes dreaded college admissions test, isn't the only standardized exam students encountered. The SAT Subject Tests, formerly known as “Scholastic Achievement Tests” or SAT II, offered students a chance to showcase their strengths in specific subjects. While these tests are no longer administered, understanding their purpose and format can provide valuable insight into the college admissions landscape.
What Were the SAT Subject Tests?
The SAT Subject Tests were a series of one-hour, multiple-choice exams focusing on individual subjects. Designed to measure a student’s readiness for college-level courses, these tests assessed understanding of subject material learned throughout their academic career. There were 20 different tests in 5 general subject areas.
These tests were not tied to any particular course on your transcript; they could be used instead to emphasize your abilities that are most relevant to your experiences and what you plan on studying in college.
Purpose and Importance
Universities used to require or request the submission of three SAT Subject Test scores as part of a complete application for admission. Some colleges used SAT Subject Tests for admission, course placement, and to advise students about course selection. Some colleges required students to submit scores from SAT Subject Tests for certain courses or programs.
Even if your perspective schools did not require them, you might want to consider taking the two to three tests. Some students might benefit from taking the Subject Tests like international students, multilingual or ESL students, and homeschooled students.
Read also: Crafting Your College Essay
Discontinuation of SAT Subject Tests
College Board discontinued Subject Tests in 2021. As students and colleges adapted to new realities and changes to the college admissions process, College Board stopped offering Subject Tests to reduce demands on students. Students can still get and send Subject Test scores from previous administrations, just as they do for the SAT. Students who didn’t get a chance to take Subject Tests can stand out on college applications by taking the SAT.
Content and Structure
The SAT Subject Tests covered a range of subjects, including:
- Mathematics: Level 1 covered college preparatory material, including one year each of algebra and geometry.
- History: U.S. History and World History.
- Languages: Including Spanish, French, Chinese, Italian, German, Modern Hebrew, Latin, Japanese, and Korean. Some language tests included a listening component.
- Science: Including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Each test consisted of multiple-choice questions and lasted one hour. Historically, the exception to the one-hour time was the writing test, which was divided into a 20-minute essay question and a 40-minute multiple-choice section.
Scoring
Each test was scored on a scale of 200 to 800. However, on some tests, it was impossible to get a 200. For example, if someone got every question wrong on the Mathematics Level 2 test, they could receive a score of 310, depending on the test-specific curve. An exception was the ELPT, which was scored on a scale of 901 to 999.
Timing and Frequency
The Subject Tests were offered six times a year and corresponded with the dates of the SAT, with one exception as the Subject Tests aren’t available in March. Not every discipline and their sub-category were available each testing date.
Read also: SAT Math Level 2: A Guide
With just a few exceptions, you should take a particular Subject Test at the end of the school year when you have taken a corresponding class of appropriate rigor. May or June of 11th grade is thus the most popular window when the majority of Subject Tests are taken.
Strategies for Taking the SAT Subject Tests
- Check College Requirements: Before preparing for the Subject Tests, check the requirements of each school you are applying to, and then choose the test you think will best demonstrate your talents and interests.
- Consider Your Strengths: If you are especially proficient in a subject, consider taking the test in that area.
- Time it Right: Your best bet in scoring high on the test is to take it as close to course completion as possible.
- Practice: Take a few practice tests beforehand and if you are scoring in the 600s for example, strongly consider taking the test.
- Know When to Skip: If the colleges in which you are interested do not require SAT Subject Tests, and you don't think you'll do well on them, then you should consider skipping the tests. Only take those in which you think you can earn a score on par with your SAT.
What to Bring and What Not to Bring
When you take the SAT Subject Tests, it is very important that you follow the stated policies to the letter. The list of what you may bring is short and simple: Admission ticket, pencils, eraser, photo ID, acceptable calculator (meaning graphing, scientific, or the less desirable four-function). The list of forbidden items, therefore, is quite extensive. In fact, College Board doesn’t attempt to list every single item they won’t permit, so you will have to rely on the permitted list and on their general guidelines to help you decide what to bring. There are some exceptions. The language listening tests require you to bring an acceptable CD player. Again, rules are stringent, and it is entirely your responsibility to make sure your CD player, headphones, and batteries will operate properly throughout the test.
Alternatives to SAT Subject Tests
An interesting twist to taking the ACT is that a number of colleges accept it in lieu of the SAT Subject Tests.
Score Choice
The College Board gave you “Score Choice” capability, allowing you the ability to selectively report your scores as you see fit. You could, for example, take the Math 2, Literature, and Chemistry exams on the same test date and then later choose to report only certain scores from this date to any particular college. However, some colleges disallow Score Choice and require you to stipulate in your admission application that you have not exercised Score Choice.
Distinguishing SAT Subject Tests from AP Exams
Don’t confuse the SAT Subject Tests with Advanced Placement (AP) tests as they are very different tests. Subject Tests are designed to allow students to demonstrate achievement in a particular academic area, but the tests are not tied to specific curricula and are expressly intended to be used in admission decisions. AP exams are more directly tied to a particular set of academic specifications. While APs certainly serve a role in admission decisions as evidence of mastery of the highest level offering of a particular subject, their original and official purpose is reflected in their moniker: “Advanced Placement.” Many colleges still link course placement and course credit to performance on AP exams. So while your AP classes will help inform your Subject Test planning, APs do not replace Subject Tests in the admission process (with very rare exceptions, e.g.
Read also: Strategies for SAT/Subject Tests
Advice for Undecided Students
If you’re undecided about your major, then it’s not worth taking SAT IIs. However, by taking a diverse combination of SAT IIs, undecided students can demonstrate their versatility and show that they can handle the challenge of a college course load. In general, we recommend that you take SAT IIs that play to your strengths, while choosing SAT IIs from a variety of areas to show that you could do well in any major.
tags: #SAT #II #subject #tests #explained
