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Plan SAT Subject Tests
HEAD Start
Many schools require SAT Subject Tests in addition to the SAT I Test. These subject tests are to assess your real learning in subjects beyond just math and English. To accomplish all of the testing you will need for your set of schools, take some time to determine your needs.

You will need to plan these out now - SAT Subject Tests are often best taken in the spring of a school year after you have covered most of the material in your classes. The good news: usually, these tests can be taken in any subject area you want - you can highlight your strengths (and avoid subjects that are not so beloved).

HEAD Lines
Go to your colleges' Web sites and see their individual policies on the SAT Subject Tests.

Check for the following:
  • Engineering programs that require specific tests - those in physics and math.

  • College language requirements that may be exempted by a SAT language high score. However, if you grew up in a bilingual home, taking the test in your second language won't really impress the admissions committee, and often won't be counted as one of your required tests.
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From Other HEADS
WHILE TOURING A COLLEGE CAMPUS, I received some of the most important information regarding taking the math SAT Subject Test. A tour guide informed me that although the Math 2C test was harder, it is scaled much greater than the Math 1C test is. This means that you can answer more problems incorrectly and do just as well. He pointed out that if you completely miss 10 out of the 50 items on the test, you can still get a 700 (which is all you really need, I believe), and so it was more important to focus and do well on the first 40 and skip the rest if need be. As a result of using this tactic, I got a 710 on the Math 2C test.

-- DAVID LICHTENSTEIN
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA


I WISH I'D KNOWN A LITTLE MORE about the SAT Subject Tests. I just randomly chose U.S. history for the subject test and didn't score so well on it. I still scored fairly well on the SAT, but it would have helped if I'd studied more and brought my score up, even if it was just by 50 points - even 50 points is a pretty big deal for most colleges.

-- DANE SKILBRED
SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY


Web Resources
Here's a list of schools that require or request SAT Subject Tests. You should double check to see whether your favorite schools are on the list:
www.compassprep.com/admissions_req_subjects.aspx

HoH Tip
Sometimes an ACT score can sub in for both the SAT and SAT Subject Test scores. Check the schools you're applying to for their policies.


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