SAT Subject Tests are a required part of the Admissions process at approximately 160 U.S. College and Universities. Please click here for a list of schools that require SAT Subject Tests.
The SAT is largely a test of verbal and math skills. Although you need to know vocabulary and some formulas, it's primarily designed to measure how well you read and think rather than what you know.
SAT Subject Tests are different. These tests are designed to measure what you know about specific disciplines. Sure, critical reading and thinking skills play a part, but the main purpose of the SAT Subject Tests is to determine exactly what you know about math, history, chemistry, and so on.
How Are SAT Subject Tests Used?
Schools that require SATs feel that they're an important indicator of your ability to succeed in college. Specifically, they use your scores to help make admissions and placement decisions. Like the SAT, the SAT Subject Tests provide schools with a standard measure of academic performance, which they use to compare you to applicants from different educational backgrounds. This information helps them to decide whether you have the academic ability to handle their curriculum.
Scores may also be used to decide what course of study is appropriate for you once you've been admitted. A low score on the Math Level I test, for example, may require you to take a remedial Math course. Conversely, a high score on the Chemistry test may exempt you from an introductory science course.
Which SAT Subject Tests Should I Take?
The simple answer: take the ones that you'll do well on. High scores, after all, can only help your chances for admission. Unfortunately, many colleges demand that you take particular tests (usually one of the math tests). Some schools give you some choice in the matter, especially if they want you to take a total of three subject tests. Before you register for any test, check with the colleges in which you're interested to determine exactly which test(s) they require. This will save time in the long run.
Choices...Choices...Choices
SAT Subject Tests that are currently administered include:
- U.S. History
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Chinese with Listening
- French
- French with Listening
- German
- German with Listening
- Italian
- Japanese with Listening
- Latin
- English Literature
- Math Level I
- Math Level II
- Modern Hebrew
- Physics
- Spanish
- Spanish with Listening
- World History
Planning is important
It is not possible to take all SAT Subject Tests on each of the Test Dates. Therefore, it's important to plan your application process, to ensure that you can take the Subject Tests that you feel you will do best in. Please click here for a full list of which subject tests are available on which test dates.
How difficult are the SAT Subject Tests?
Click here to find out how the SAT Subject tests compare to exams taken in the UK Educational System.
