SAT subject tests are a little-mentioned but extremely important component of your college application. Not only do they allow you to demonstrate competence in different subject areas, they are also required by many colleges.
Many students have never heard of SAT subject tests. Often, even if a student has heard of the tests, they dismiss them as unimportant. After all, with so much focus on the SAT and–to a lesser extent–the ACT, it seems that if these tests were important, they would be more commonly discussed. However, the SAT subject tests are actually critically important, and to simply ignore them is a huge mistake. Taking-or not taking-these tests will determine which colleges you are even able to apply to, let alone gain admittance. It’s time for you to start devoting some attention to these often-ignored tests.
SAT Subject Tests: What Are They?
SAT subject tests, previously called SAT II tests, are multiple-choice standardized tests on individual high-school subjects. They are graded on a scale from 200-800. They take one hour to complete, and a student may take as many as three SAT subject tests on any given date. The tests are offered at the same times and locations as the SAT.
There are twenty SAT subject tests that fall into five general subject areas:
English SAT Subject Tests: Literature
History SAT Subject Tests: U.S. History, World History
Math SAT Subject Tests: Math Level 1, Math Level 2
Science SAT Subject Tests: Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics
Foreign Language SAT Subject Tests: Chinese with Listening, French, French with Listening, German, German with Listening, Spanish, Spanish with Listening, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Japanese with Listening, Korean with Listening
You are permitted to use a graphing calculator on only the two math SAT subject tests.
SAT Subject Tests: Why Should You Take Them?
There are two reasons to take the SAT subject tests. First, they allow you to demonstrate your proficiency in many different subject areas about which you are passionate. This lets a prospective college know that you are a well rounded, intelligent student. This also shows initiative, as many students simply do not take these tests. Second, the SAT subject tests are required by many colleges, including all eight ivy-league schools, the University of California system, and over a hundred others. To find out what a school’s requirement is, you can check the testing policy on their website. If a school simply “recommends” the tests, it is usually a good idea to take them anyway, as most students who apply will have taken them, and it may reflect badly upon you if you haven’t.
SAT Subject Tests: How Many Tests Should You Take and in Which Subjects?
Most schools only require two SAT subject tests, but many schools recommend three, and some-including Harvard and Stanford-require three tests. To be safe, it is best to take at least three tests. Taking more will generally look favorable, so if you feel confident in more than three subjects, you should consider taking extra tests.
Often, schools require that you take SAT subject tests in different subject areas. You should therefore try to avoid taking two science or history tests. If you do take more than one test in either of these subject areas, you should probably take more than three SAT subject tests. Also, you should not take both math SAT subject tests; most colleges will not consider both. If you have taken precalculus, you should take the math level 2 test, as most colleges prefer it. Finally, don’t take tests with which you don’t feel comfortable. The most important thing is that you perform well on these tests.
SAT Subject Tests: What is a Good Score?
The students who take SAT subject tests are usually applying to better colleges than those who do not. Furthermore, students take these tests in the subjects with which they are most comfortable. For these two reasons, average scores on SAT subject tests are higher than average SAT scores. Mean scores range from 583 for the literature subject test to 764 for the Chinese with listening subject test. Scores above 700 are considered to be very good, and scores above 600 are still quite impressive. Study and score as well as you can, but don’t be disappointed with one or two less-than-ideal scores.
Good luck preparing for your SAT subject tests!
