The Big Tests: The SAT Subject Tests

The College Board offers one-hour subject matter tests in addition to the SAT in subjects ranging from biology to Hebrew. Like each of the three parts of the new SAT, the SAT Subject Tests are scored from 200 to 800, though the average scores vary widely and are usually much higher than the 500 average for the SAT sections. About 150 colleges require or recommend that students submit scores from one or more of these tests, including most of the colleges defined as selective by our criterion. Some colleges allow students to submit ACT scores in lieu of both the SAT and the SAT Subject Tests in recognition of the content-based nature of the ACT. Almost all colleges requiring or recommending Subject Tests ask students to submit scores from two different tests; only Harvard, Princeton, and Georgetown currently ask for three.

In contrast to its position on SAT coaching, the College Board has always encouraged preparation for the Subject Tests. As content-based tests, they are designed to measure a student’s mastery of a specific subject. Studying and reviewing can result in big improvements. The major test preparation companies offer courses to prepare students for some of the Subject Tests and, of course, private tutors do this as well. Many test prep books and software programs are also available. The latter two can work just as well as more expensive alternatives, if a student is willing to put in the time and effort to use them. Also, of course, just studying the material in school can be enough preparation to do well.

On most test dates, students can take either the SAT by itself or up to three Subject Tests. You cannot take the SAT and Subject Tests on the same day. When you do register for Subject Tests, you don’t have to specify in advance which test or tests you are going to take. The SAT is offered on all test administration dates, but Subject Tests are not offered on the March date, and some specific tests are offered on certain dates only. It pays to check the College Board Web site at www.college board.com to find out for sure. The basic registration fee for the Subject Tests is $20, plus $9 for each individual test; fee waivers are also available for these tests.

Students should choose their Subject Tests carefully and plan to take appropriate tests when subjects are freshest in their minds. Most students take the Subject Tests at the end of their junior year. However, depending on which ones you plan to take, you may want to take one or more a year earlier if you have the right preparation. For example, if you take chemistry as a sophomore and feel you have mastered the subject, it makes sense to take the SAT Chemistry test at the end of your sophomore year rather than wait until you are a junior. As a result of the recent policy change, as described earlier, the College Board allows students who have taken the SAT in March 2009 or later to choose which test scores, including Subject Test scores, they want a college to see. You can get a booklet about the Subject Tests from your guidance office; the same information is posted on the College Board Web site. Read it carefully and decide which tests make the most sense for you, keeping in mind the requirements of specific colleges that interest you.

As a final note, you can certainly take three Subject Tests on the same day, but that can make for a tough morning. You can spread out your testing if you plan far enough in advance. If you take more than two Subject Tests, the colleges that require only two say that they will consider only the two highest scores, though they will see all of them, unless you use Score Choice.