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SAT Subject Tests
An SAT score allows
colleges to gauge your academic potential in comparison to
past and present applicants. For most colleges and universities,
this test score alone is sufficient for them to determine
a potential student’s admission. Some colleges, however,
request additional test results to indicate consistency on
standardized tests or talent in certain subject areas. The
SAT Subject Tests (formerly the SAT IIs) are recommended or
required by many colleges and universities for this very reason.
The subject
tests are designed to assess your mastery of specific subject
areas. The five test categories--English, History and Social
Studies, Science, Mathematics, and Language--include such
Subject Tests as Literature, US History, Chemistry, Math I,
and Spanish. The tests are each one-hour in duration and composed
of multiple choice questions. Your results are used not only
for admissions cases but also for course placement in the
event you are accepted. You can learn more about and register
for the SAT Subject Tests at the
College Board website.
Each university
that requests SAT Subject Tests has specific test requirements.
For example, the University of California strongly recommends
applicants take three SAT Subject Tests in their choice of
subject area. Yet the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT) requires one math test, one science test, and a third
test of the student's choice. Harvard requires three Subject
Tests in any area, but variety is recommended. To learn if
you should consider taking an SAT Subject Test, contact the
Admissions Departments of the schools to which you plan to
apply.
PowerScore does
not offer preparation classes for the SAT Subject Tests, because
students receive all of the preparation needed for these content-based
tests in their high school curriculum. Plan to take each test
immediately upon the completion of the corresponding high
school course. For example, if you take World History during
your sophomore year of high school, take the World History
SAT Subject Test in the late spring of your sophomore year,
as you are nearing the completion of your course. The only
tests that should be delayed are the Language tests, as these
are best taken after several years of study. |
