FAQs : SAT Subject Tests

(A) Related to Exam - Format / Structure, Subject(s), Syllabus, Exam Date, Time Duration, etc.

1.	What are the SAT Subject Tests?
	SAT Subject Tests are admission tests where you can exhibit your knowledge and aptitude in specific subject areas. There are 20 SAT Subject Tests in five general subject areas: English, History, Languages, Mathematic and Science. You can choose the tests in accordance with your interests and academic strengths. Through these tests you can stand out in the admission process by reflecting your readiness for specific subjects in college, and can also acquire credit for introductory-level courses. The total test duration is one hour.
2.	How are the SAT Subject Tests different from the SAT Reasoning Test ?
	The Subject Tests in comparison with the SAT are more academic in nature and allow students to demonstrate their readiness for college-level courses in specific-subject areas. Questions in the Subject Tests tend to be less ‘tricky’ than those on the Reasoning Test and are based on a pattern that is very similar to their school tests.
3.	Which SAT Subject Tests should I choose?
	Choose the SAT Subject Tests in accordance with your interests and academic strengths. Before deciding on the Subject Tests, determine which tests are required by the colleges that interest you.

(B) Related to Eligibility Criteria, Exam Dates, and Number of Attempts

4.	Why do colleges require the SAT Subject Tests scores?
	The Subject Tests help you exhibit your strength in specific subject areas, and your readiness for college-level studies. Some colleges recommend one or more SAT Subject Tests as part of the application. This may be especially true if you’re interested in a specific major or program of study. Colleges that don’t require or recommend Subject Tests still consider them when reviewing your application. The SAT Subject Tests are standardized and are used to compare your knowledge of that subject with that of high school (standard X) students in the US. The grades you get in your high school curriculum cannot offer a precise measurement to colleges because some high schools are more difficult than others, and the grading standards vary across different schools. The students of equal ability might receive different grades, even in classes with a relatively similar curriculum. Colleges sometimes use SAT Subject Tests to determine placement. If you do very well on a specific Subject Test, you might be exempted from a basic class in that subject. It is a good idea to find out whether the colleges, you are applying to, use the SAT Subject Tests for this purpose. You are advised to visit the respective website(s) of the chosen US University for more details in this regard.
5.	When can I take the SAT Subject Tests ? How many times can the SAT Subject Tests be taken ?
	SAT Subject Tests are offered six times a year. But not all 20 tests are offered on every date. A student can take one, two or three tests on a single test date. But one cannot take both the SAT and SAT Subject Test on the same day.
6.	When should I take the SAT Subject Tests ?
	The best time to take the SAT Subject Tests is right after you have studied the specified syllabus in a particular subject. If, for example, you take Physics in 11th grade, then you should take the Physics Subject Test near the end of that year, when the material is still fresh in your mind. You should also use your list of preferred colleges and their admission requirements to help plan your high school course schedule.

(C) Related To Scoring and Result

7.

How SAT Subject Tests are scored ?

First, the raw score is established. And then, the raw score is converted to the scaled score. All questions on Subject Tests are multiple choice questions. The raw scores are computed as under: One point is for each correct answer. 1/4 point is subtracted for each five-choice question. 1/3 point is subtracted for each four-choice question. 1/2 point is subtracted for three-choice question. No points are deducted for unanswered questions.