SAT Subject Tests
If you’re over 40 years old, think “Achievements,” since that’s what we called the SAT Subject Tests when they mattered to us. If you’re of more recent vintage, you might think of them as “SAT II’s.” They’re one-hour tests that assess how well a prospective college student can answer relevant multiple-choice questions, and most competitive colleges require two or three of them in addition to the SAT. Here is a matrix list we made that includes subject test requirements of some of the competitive colleges in which our students have shown interest.
It’s important that you know that a test-taker can sit for up to three subject tests on any SAT test date and that one cannot sit for any subject tests on the same day that one sits for the regular SAT. The last available test date before the November 1 “early” applications deadline is October 10. These days, taking tests “cold” is about as smart as walking around outside in freezing weather without a coat “just to see how brisk it is.” At a minimum, those sitting for these tests need to prepare using a relevant textbook. The College Board has published a review book that contains one copy of every subject test it gives. This is a great way to assess whether one is ready to take the actual subject test. For those who would like to be a little more thorough, The College Board publishes a book that contains two copies each of the Math I and Math II subject tests and another that contains two copies each of the World History and American History subject tests.
Families should seriously consider having their student sit for a science subject test in June of sophomore year. In our area, many students who take the Biology subject test at the end of sophomore year put up sufficiently high scores that they then have one fewer thing to worry about come the spring of their junior year. However, it is vital for the student to take a real practice test before going in because school classes sometimes leave gaps when reviewing for the Biology subject test.
We can offer expert help with the Math I and II, American History, World History, Spanish and Literature subject tests. Give us a call if you’d like to discuss any of this.