Information Regarding The SAT Subject Tests

SAT Subject Tests - Why Should You Take Them

What is a SAT Subject Test?

The SAT subject test measures a test taker’s knowledge about a single subject area and his capability to utilize that knowledge. The subject tests are closely associated with the college programs and they serve as reliable and concrete sources to judge the college-readiness of the test takers. It helps in providing a test taker with additional tools to highlight his skills in specific subject areas. It is offered six times in a year and a student can take upto three subject tests on a given test date. Each subject test lasts for an hour. Most of them have multiple-choice questions while others may have unique formats.

Why should you take a SAT Subject Test?

The educators and admission officers consider a test taker’s scores on this test for judging how well the test-taker will perform in their college. This test works as a useful indicator of a student’s command over a specific subject area. It also helps the placement officers to allocate courses to the test-takers according to their merit in specific subjects. The subject test scores also assist the colleges to select the best candidates for admissions out of the numerous test takers who have taken the same test.

What are the different SAT subject tests?

Numerous students take this to emphasize their knowledge about specific subject fields. There are twenty subject tests, which come under the category of general subject fields. The general subject areas are English, History, Science, Mathematics and foreign languages. In the following sub-headings, you will find more information about subject test in these areas:


The only subject test offered in case of English is Literature.

History and Social Sciences:

Under this heading, the subject tests are for United States History and World History.


Under this subheading, you will get two SAT subject tests namely Mathematics Level 1 and Mathematics Level 2.


There are three tests offered in science. They are Biology E/M, Chemistry and Physics.


Under the last category, there are twelve languages with a subject test for each one of them.The languages are Chinese with Listening, French, German, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Spanish, French with listening, German with listening, Japanese with listening, Korean with listening and Spanish with listening.

There are more features of each test, which you can find at: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/sat-subject/about

How would you register for the tests?

You must register for this test well before the deadline to get the required materials at the test center. Once registered, you will be allocated a test center, an admission ticket will be delivered to you by web, email or post and a maximum of four score reports will be sent to colleges and scholarship programs.

What is the importance of these tests?

It helps to gauge and evaluate your command over specific subject areas. The admission officers get an idea about of your skills in particular subjects. They make use of this idea while allocating a course to you in their college. Moreover, your test scores together with your SAT scores, aid you in standing out tall from the others who have only SAT scores. The best thing about the subject test is that, you get an additional platform to display your skills in your favored subject. This boosts up your admission possibility in case the colleges consider subject test scores. Before taking it, you must be aware about the admission policies of your desired colleges. If the colleges ask for this scores, the next step would be to choose the subject test you would prefer to take for your higher studies. So without further ado, consider taking the subject test along with your SAT test for better prospects in college courses.