Need to Take a SAT Subject Test?
The Difference between the Regular Reasoning Test
The Reasoning Test, commonly known plainly as The SAT, covers many topics. Topic specific tests are the SAT Subject Tests. Here is a list of the subject areas for the tests:
Science
- Biology E/M
- Chemistry
- Physics
Mathematics
- Mathematics Level I
- Mathematics Level II
History and Social Studies
- U.S. History
- World History
English
- Literature
Languages
- Chinese with Listening
- French
- French with Listening
- German
- German with Listening
- Spanish
- Spanish with Listening
- Modern Hebrew
- Italian
- Latin
- Japanese with Listening
- Korean with Listening
Some tests require certain tools. It's understood that you can bring a calculator to a math subject test and a portable CD player with headphones for a language listening test.
Which One to Take?
Contact the college or university that you want to attend and find out if they require any subject tests dealing with your chosen major. If you need to test, choose your high school courses that relate to the Subject Test. It's wise to take the test a soon as you have completed your related high school course so the information is still fresh in your head.
Each test consists of multiple choice questions and the time limit is one hour. If your college does not require any Subject Testing, it only helps to show your knowledge on a particular subject which may help your admission status and course placement.
Tips for the Language Tests
The test administrators advise only to take a language test if you have had at least two years of study at a high school level. Naturally, you should perform better with more experience. It's up to you to decide on which type of test to take; listening or reading. Listening tests usually require more skill and may be seen as the more prestigious of the two.
