About The SAT Subject Tests

The intent of the SAT Subjects Tests (formerly SAT II: Subject Tests prior to 2005, and Achievement Tests prior to the 1993/1994 academic year) is to measure a student's knowledge in a specific subject area. SAT Subject Tests are an excellent way for a student to demonstrate to a college or university proficiency in a particular subject. Most colleges and universities require that a student submit the scores of one or more subject tests as part of the application and admissions process.
Offered Tests and their Structure

All of the SAT Subject Tests are one hour in length. All are multiple choice tests. SAT Subject Tests fall into five subject areas:

1. English
* Literature - This test measures how well a student can read and interpret literature. It consists of 60 multiple choice questions.
2. History and Social Studies
* U.S. History (formerly American History and Social Studies) - This test measures how well a student has learned what is typically taught in high school U.S. History and Social Studies courses. It consists of 90 to 95 multiple choice questions.
* World History - This test is similar to the U.S History test with a focus on global history. It consists of 95 multiple choice questions.
3. Mathematics
* Math Level 1 - This test measures a student's knowledge of content that should be taught in the first three years of college-prep math. It includes Algebra I and II as well as one year of geometry. This test consists of 50 multiple choice questions. Some of the questions assume that the student will be using either a scientific or graphing calculator.
* Math Level 2 -This test measures a student's knowledge of content that should be taught in more than the first three years of college-prep math. It includes Algebra I and II, one year of geometry, and precalculas and/or trigonometry. This test consists of 50 multiple choice questions. Some of the questions assume that the student will be using either a scientific or graphing calculator.
4. Science
* Biology E (ecology)/M (molecular) - This test measures a student's knowledge of college-prep general biology. There is a core of 60 multiple choice questions. A student then chooses whether to complete 20 additional multiple choice questions in either ecological biology or molecular biology.
* Chemistry - This test measures a student's knowledge of college-prep chemistry. This test consists of 85 multiple choice questions.
* Physics - This test measures a student's knowledge of college-prep physics. This test consists of 75 multiple choice questions.
5. Languages - With the exception of the Latin Subject Test, all of the other language Subject Tests have 80 or more multiple choice questions. The Latin test has 70 to 75 multiple choice questions. Language Subject Tests with listening require that the student use an acceptable cassette player with headphones.
* Chinese with Listening
* French or French with Listening
* German or German with Listening
* Spanish or Spanish with Listening
* Modern Hebrew
* Italian
* Latin
* Japanese with Listening
* Korean with Listening

SAT Subject Test Scoring

All of the SAT Subject tests are scored on the 200 to 800 scale. The language Subject Tests with Listening also have sub scores. The French, German, and Spanish Subject Tests with listening have sub scores for listening and reading on a 20 to 80 scale. The Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Subject Tests with Listening have sub scores for listening, reading, and usage, also on a 20 to 80 scale.
The English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT)

The final delivery of the English Language Proficiency Test was in January of 2005.
The Writing Subject Test

The final delivery of the Writing Subject Test was in January of 2005. The new Writing Section of the SAT Reasoning Test contains content that is similar to what was in this test.



http://www.education-online-search.com/articles/testing/sat_testing/about_the_sat_subject_tests