Beyond the SAT: The SAT II Subject Tests

By Dave Berry

Most college-bound high school students misunderstand the SAT II Subject Tests. Some think they are Advanced Placement tests. Others think they are just another version of the SAT. Many high schoolers have never even heard of them. You may want to learn about them, particularly if you will be playing the Ivy League admissions game or applying to other selective schools.

The Subject Tests used to be called Achievement Tests. Why the name was changed to the now very confusing SAT II is another one of those wonderful marketing mysteries of the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Some critics believe the name change was related to the fact that a student's score on a so-called "Achievement" test didn't necessarily reflect that student's achievement in the classroom. Similar accusations plagued the regular SAT, therefore that test's name change to Scholastic Assessment Test.

What does all of this mean to you? Well, if you are going to be applying to a college or university that is fairly competitive in its admissions, chances are that they require all applicants to submit scores from three SAT II Subject Test examinations. The Subject Tests are standardized, mostly multiple-choice tests keyed to specific course content. There are Subject Tests in Chemistry, Writing, Math, German, Biology, Physics, Music, and other areas. The three that most competitive schools want are Writing, Math (Level I or II), and a third from another area (usually a science).

Subject Tests are only 60 minutes in length. They are given on most of the same days as the SAT. You can take up to three Subject Tests on the same day. You cannot, however, take both the Subject Tests and the SAT I on the same day (Who would want to do that anyhow?). The best date to take the Subject Tests is in June, at the end of the same year you have taken the three subjects you're testing. That makes sense because if you waited until November, you would have forgotten much valuable course information over the summer.

You might not have to take the Subject Tests, though. If you know without doubt that you will be applying to colleges and universities that do not require them, then why waste your time and money? However, if you're not absolutely sure where you're going to apply, then it may be prudent for you to take the tests in Writing, Math I, and your current junior-year science (the Biology test is the easiest one, Physics is the hardest). The junior year is probably the best time to take the Subject Tests although some students take them in their sophomore year.

Don't overlook the SAT II Subject Tests when making your college plans. If you do, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise when college application time rolls around.