Sat Subject tests

General info All are one hour, multiple-choice tests of varying lengths All still use the -1/4 point wrong answer penalty All use the 200-800 point scale Offered on the same dates as the general SAT, but… Not all are offered on every date (check collegeboard.org) You may take up to 3 exams on any date*, but you cannot take the SAT and a Subject Test on the same date *Biology E and Biology M cannot be taken on the same day

Available subjects English Literature Math Level 1 Math Level 2 U.S. History World History Biology Ecological Biology Molecular Physics Chemistry French French with Listening Spanish Spanish with Listening Italian Modern Hebrew Latin German German with Listening Chinese with Listening Korean with Listening Japanese with Listening

Should you take a subject test? Does your school of choice require, recommend, or consider them? As of 2016, 483 schools require, recommend, or consider subject tests Is there a specific program at your school of choice that requires them? Does your school of choice offer credit or advanced placement for high scores (like the AP exams)? Would you like an opportunity to show off a strength that isn’t highlighted elsewhere in your application/resume/GPA/scores? Do you have the time and resources to devote to preparing adequately for a subject test? A poor score on an optional subject test won’t hurt, but it won’t help either The bigger issue is the sunk cost of time, money, and effort that could have been invested elsewhere.

How are the subjects tests different from the SAT? SAT General Test SAT Subject Tests Skill-oriented Little bit of study Lots of practice No wrong answer penalty 4 choices, few grid-ins, essay option 4 or 5 sections Easier material, harder curve Skill AND knowledge oriented Balance depends on the subject See next slide Wrong answer penalty applies 5 choices (with a few exceptions) 1 section (except for Listening and Biology E/M) Harder material, easier curve

The Skill/Knowledge continuum More Skill-Oriented More Knowledge-Oriented English Literature Math Level 1 Math Level 2 Biology Ecological Biology Molecular U.S. History World History Physics Chemistry French with Listening Japanese with Listening Spanish with Listening German with Listening Chinese with Listening Korean with Listening Italian Spanish French Modern Hebrew Latin German

Guided tour of the subject tests For each test, you’ll see a brief description and a few sample questions

Literature

Literature

U.s. History

U.s. History

World History

World History

Math level 1 & 2

Math level 1 & 2

Math level 1 & 2

Math level 1 & 2

Biology E/M

Biology E/M: Core

Biology E/M

Chemistry

Chemistry

Chemistry

Chemistry

Chemistry

physics

physics

physics

Language (+listening) All language tests are similar in length (70-85 questions) In tests with listening components, the listening component comes first For languages with multiple writing systems (Japanese and Chinese), the most commonly taught types are used simultaneously on the test page:

Language (+with listening) (Spanish)

Language (+with listening) (Spanish)

Language (+with listening) (Spanish)

Preparing for any of these tests: Determine which tests (if any) you need to take. If you have options, go with the tests you are likely to perform well on. Obtain prep materials: Retail, High Quality: College Board, Kaplan, Princeton Review Free, Variable Quality: CrackSAT, Magoosh, SparkNotes Study and/or practice based on the type of test you’re taking.