SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) Subject Test

SAT Subject Tests, which formerly had known as SAT II: Subject Tests are designed to measure your knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as your ability to apply that knowledge. Students take the Subject Tests to demonstrate to colleges their mastery of specific subjects like English, history, mathematics, science, and language. The tests are independent of any particular textbook or method of instruction. The tests' content evolves to reflect current trends in high school curricula, but the types of questions change little from year to year.

Many colleges use the Subject Tests for admission, for course placement, and to advise students about course selection. Used in combination with other background information (your high school record, scores from other tests like the SAT Reasoning Test, teacher recommendations, etc.), they provide a dependable measure of your academic achievement and are a good predictor of future performance.

Some colleges specify the Subject Tests they require for admission or placement; others allow applicants to choose which tests to take.

Subject Tests fall into five general subject areas:

1. English
2. Literature
3. History and Social Studies
4. U.S. History (formerly American History and Social Studies)
5. World History
6. Mathematics
7. Mathematics Level 1 (formerly Mathematics IC)
8. Mathematics Level 2 (formerly Mathematics IIC)
9. Science
10. Biology E/M
11. Chemistry
12. Physics
13. Languages
14. Chinese with Listening
15. French
16. French with Listening
17. German
18. German with Listening
19. Spanish
20. Spanish with Listening
21. Modern Hebrew
22. Italian
23. Latin
24. Japanese with Listening
25. Korean with Listening

SAT Subject Tests in Mathematics (Level 1 and Level 2) have some questions that require the use of at least a scientific or graphing calculator. Mathematics Subject Tests are developed with the expectation that most students will use a graphing calculator. There are no plans to discontinue or change the content of the Subject Tests in Mathematics Level 1 or Mathematics Level 2.

SAT Subject Tests in Languages with Listening (Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish) consist of a listening section and a reading section. Students taking these tests are required to bring an acceptable CD player with earphones to the test center.

Note: Many colleges that don't require Subject Test scores will still review them since they can give a fuller picture of your academic background.
If you're not sure which Subject Test to take from a subject area, talk to your teacher or school counselor and visit the Subject Tests Preparation Center.
Most students take Subject Tests toward the end of their junior year or at the beginning of their senior year.
Take tests such as World History, Biology E/M, Chemistry, or Physics as soon as possible after completing the course in the subject, while the material is still fresh in your mind. For foreign language tests, you'll do better after at least two years of study.