SAT II Subject Tests

In some cases, you'll have to take some subject tests. For every college to which you're applying, see their admissions criteria for your desired subject. Some college departments will require specific subject tests.

You must think:If you have choice, then only take the SAT Subject Tests you can perform better. If you're weak in Mathematics and it isn't required, don't take the test. Your score may give an unfavorable impression to the admissions commettee if you don't do well, and that's definitely something you don't want to do!

All SAT subjects are not required by the targeted college. The requirement of SAT subject directly dependent on your intended field of study. If you are applying for an Engineering degree, the college may require you to take SAT Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. In this view of selecting which subject is to take, there are three types of subject tests:

• The subject tests you must take are those that are required by the colleges in which you are interested to have admission.
• The subject tests you should take are those that aren’t required, but that you’ll do well on them, thereby impressing the colleges looking at your application.
• The subject tests you shouldn’t take are those that aren’t required and that cover a subject about which you don’t feel confident.

You’ll need to do a bit of research to find out if the colleges you’re applying to require that you take a particular subject test. Call the schools you’re interested in, look at their websites, or talk to your guidance counselor. Often, colleges request that you take the following subject tests:

• Writing Test
• One of the two subject test Math Tests (either Math IC or Math IIC)
• Another subject test in a subject of your choice

Not all colleges follow these guidelines, you must consult their admission department for guidance about which test they do require.

There are two rules of thumb for making a descion about which additional test to take other than the Writing and Math tests:

1. Select your strong area If Biology is your strong area go for it rather than to take physics and have poor score.
2. Try to show breadth. Scoring well on Math, Physics, and Chemistry tests will not be as impressive as good scores in Math, Writing, U.S. History, and Physics.

Of course, you also have to know what is considered a good score on that subject test, and whether you can get that score (or higher). Below is a list of the most popular subject tests and the average scaled score on each. For most schools, a score that is 50 points above this average will significantly boost your college application strength. If you are applying to an elite school, you may need to aim closer to 100 points above the average.

It’s a good idea to take three tests that cover a range of subjects, such as one math subject test, one humanities subject test (History or Writing), and one science subject test. However, taking more than three subject tests is probably not necessary.